Raising a racquet

Attention visitors making their way to Hilton Hilton Island and the surrounding area for yet another season of fun in the sun: There’s much more here than hard-packed sand and Bermuda-grass golf courses. We’ve got clay, and lots of it. 

OK, so it’s technically not clay, but rather crushed stone called Har-Tru green clay. But it’s used on many of the approximately 500 tennis courts in the Hilton Head area, according to a survey by resident tennis player and blogger Janet Turley (www.janetturleyhiltonhead.com ) And it’s popular among residents who play their weekly doubles at the club, and visitors hearing the crunching sound of clay under their feet for the first time.

“It’s slower,” said Bob Brown, boys and girls tennis coach at Bluffton High School, of the crushed stone. “It favors older people who enjoy playing on it because it’s a lower impact on their body. It also recovers quicker in the moisture.”

While asphalt hardcourts (the other surface found here) tend to collect puddles in the rain, clay absorbs the rain, Brown said. And the faster the courts are playable after those common summer thunderstorms, the quicker the players can get back to the many tennis clinics, drills, round-robins and tournaments that are offered. 

Visitors don’t need to drive far to get to a tennis facility. 

Palmetto Dunes (25 courts), 
Sea Pines Racquet Club (21 courts), Van Der Meer at Shipyard (17 courts), Port Royal Racquet Club (14 courts), South Beach Racquet Club (13 courts) and Hilton Head Beach and Tennis (10 courts) are among the largest facilities on the island. Visitors are advised to put their name in the “find-a-match” book at many of the facility check-in counters.

In addition to the recreational tennis opportunities, high-profile professionals have attached their names to schools for young players, such as the Ivan Lendl International Junior Tennis Academy at the Tennisclub of the Lowcountry at Rose Hill, and the Smith Stearns Tennis Academy at the Sea Pines Racquet Club, which is under the direction of former world No. 1 player Stan Smith, among others.

Those looking for well maintained hardcourts can head to Chaplin Community Park off Singleton Beach Road (look for Harold’s Diner on William Hilton Parkway.). There are six lit courts, free of charge, along with public restrooms. 

Those looking for a place to pick up tennis gear can stop by the locally owned and operated Player’s World of Sports, 890 William Hilton Parkway, at the Fresh Market Shoppes. The store has been owned and operated by the Jilly family since 2008 and been on the island since 1982. They have more than 92 racquets to demo.

Tom Jilly, who runs the store, said half his business is generated by tourists.

“They like us because there are no stores like this at home,” Jilly said. “The players tell us we have the best selection and it’s easier for them to shop with us because they can try things on, unlike shopping at online stores.”

The mix of beaches, courts and tournaments make Hilton Head a tennis fan’s ultimate destination. 

“If you’re a tennis player and looking for a tennis destination, (Hilton Head) is the complete package,” said Jackie Reynecke, group coordinator and tournament director at Palmetto Dunes. “There are great beaches, a lot of other activities and so many tennis options.” 

Palmetto Dunes is the site for the Banana Open tournaments, which are popular among residents and vacationers. The tournament has been around for more than 30 years and offers competition in singles, doubles and mixed doubles for players of various levels. It also serves as a qualifier for an October challenger that attracts players from six states.

Those interested in watching island professionals compete  can look into the Pro League of Hilton Head Island (www.proleaguetennis.com). The seven-week season begins April 25 at various venues and attracts large crowds.

“Not only are there a lot of courts in such a small area, it’s the amount of quality players, too,” said Pro League player Matt Wuller, director of tennis at Sea Pines Country Club. “Everywhere you turn, you can go to a  facility and find people to play with. From one end of the island to the other, it’s easy to find games out there.”

TIPS FOR BEGINNERS

With the abundance of tennis opportunities available around Hilton Head Island, now might be the time get out and give it a try. Here are some beginners’ tips served up by area professional Denise Agee of South Carolina Yacht Club and Matt Wuller of Sea Pines Country Club.

This story was originally published April 18, 2014 at 4:43 PM with the headline "Raising a racquet."