Resort News

The former Crowne Plaza in Hilton Head Island’s Shipyard Plantation is now the Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island. Renovations will get underway once the busy summer season passes.

Cliff Drysdale Tennis is taking over management of the 23-court complex at Omni Amelia Island Plantation in Amelia Island, Florida. In making the announcement, Drysdale pointed to the Racquet Park’s assets: “It boasts among the most beautiful center courts in the world,” he noted in the press release. “This tree-laden showpiece hosted pro matches for years that still linger in the minds of those who viewed them live or watched on TV. Amelia Island is the crown jewel of tennis clubs, and it is our aim to revitalize the tennis community and make Amelia, again, a premier destination for players around the world.”

And speaking of Omni Hotels, they now have a presence on South Carolina’s Hilton Head Island as the Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort in Palmetto Dunes. Plans call for investing some $18 million over the next year to enhance the 323-room hotel.

Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Country Club has been named the 2011 Southern California Tennis Association ( SCTA) Member Organization of the Year.

Jason Purcell has been named the head tennis professional at The Phoenician in Scottsdale, AZ. He had previously taught at the resort in 1998-99 and had most recently been head tennis professional at the Orienta Beach Club in Mamaroneck, NY, where he also directed their summer junior program.

The iTUSA International Tennis Academy relocates its World Headquarters on April 1 from the Hyatt Regency Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona to its own facility in nearby Glendale. The new location will have seven hard and clay courts, dormitories, and a full service training center.

John Austin resigned his position as Director of Tennis at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in Scottsdale, AZ shortly after Thanksgiving. He’s been replaced by Iqbal Dulara, a former Top 10 player in his native India and a member of the Fairmont Princess staff since 1997.

The Claremont Hotel, Club & Spa has been named the 2011 Northern California Facility of the Year by the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA). The historic hotel, which opened in 1915, has 16 hard courts under USPTA Master Professional Rosie Bareis. “We couldn’t be more proud of our team and the tremendous work they’ve done,” said Bareis, “This award reinforces our dedication to providing the best training and facilities for our guests and Club members and to continuing the expansion of The Claremont’s vibrant tennis community.”

As of January 1, the Naples Grande Beach Resort in Naples, Florida has been renamed the Waldorf Astoria Naples. According to the press release, the name change will be accompanied throughout 2012 by “property enhancements reflecting the latest Waldorf Astoria brand standards.”

The Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo opened a grass court on Christmas Day. The new grass court utilizes Tifdwarf Bermuda grass and is the first true grass regulation tennis court at any Four Seasons property worldwide.  The new court complements the four Har-Tru courts at the tennis complex, a facility run by Peter Burwash International’s David Hong.

Tom Gorman has been appointed to the International Tennis Federation’s (ITF) Davis Cup Committee. Currently the Director of Tennis at La Quinta Resort & Club in California, Gorman is the former U.S. Davis Cup Captain and coach. He joins a seven-man committee charged overseeing the operations of the annual Davis Cup competition, which is the largest international team competition in sport.

Davis Cup by BNP Paribas is owned managed by the International Tennis Federation (ITF), the world governing body of tennis. According to Francesco Ricci Bitti, president of the ITF, as both a former Davis Cup player and captain, Gorman is uniquely suited to serve on the committee.  “We were very pleased to have received Tom’s nomination from the United States Tennis Association (USTA) and to be able to appoint him,” Ricci Bitti said. “His experience as a player, Davis Cup champion and U.S. Davis Cup Captain will enable him to contribute greatly to the committee.”

Rancho Valencia, in Rancho Santa Fe, CA will close in January 2012 to undergo a six-month, $20-million renovation. Plans call for remodeling all 49 of the suites, expanding the spa, and enhancing the reception, dining, fitness, and meeting spaces. The tennis complex will remain open throughout the renovation, which will be complete by summer 2012.

The Reed Anderson Tennis School, which now operates out of the Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California, celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.

Charly Rasheed, the tennis director at Wild Dunes Resort near Charleston has been named the “Adult Male Player of the Year” by the USTA South Carolina. The award recognizes individuals who have made “who made outstanding contributions to tennis.”

The Inn at Harbour Town in Sea Pines Resort ranks among the Top 150 in the world based on Conde Nast’s annual “Reader’s Choice Survey.”

The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, just unveiled its new Windsor Club, a collection of 26 newly renovated guestrooms—among them a 7-room Presidential Suite—on two floors with their own concierge service.