Former touring pro Craig Wittus took over the directorship of the 10 clay courts at the Diplomat Country Club about the time its 60-room hotel opened. The tennis pro shop, like the neighboring hotel and its spa, was constructed of coral stone. An elegant structure with a blue-green tile roof, it perches slightly above a the first bank of courts, its covered patio providing a place to gather before and after matches. More coral stone has been used for the terraced seating on the next bank of courts and for a border of low walls capped with decorative railing. And still more coral stone shows up in the patios between the courts. It is an altogether inviting place to play.

Tennis Features

Pro Shop: 954-883-4000

Personable and committed, Wittus brings his own exceptional credentials to the tennis operation. He had been an All American at Miami of Ohio, playing the NCAA Championships the same year as John McEnroe, and then went on to win one singles and six doubles championships on the ATP Tour. A knee injury at Wimbledon forced him off the circuit but not before reaching top 100 in singles and top 50 in doubles. After leaving the tour he started teaching and coaching, most notably for the Olympic gold-medal winning team of Ken Flach and Robert Seguso. And along the way he made a rock video with McEnroe, Peter Rennert, and Mel Purcell to a song Wittus wrote (it was released in Europe but not in the U.S.).

Not surprisingly, since coming to the Diplomat much of what he's done is teach private lessons, but he's also put in place a system of game matching, beefed up the weekly calendar, and added Friday evening pro exhibitions in season featuring such former touring pros as Karel Novacek, Robert Seguso, Guillaume Raoux, Pablo Arraya, Nicolas Pereira, Victor Pecci, Greg Neuhart, Steve Meister, Blaine Willenborg, or anyone else who happens to be passing through or lives in the area.

"I'm not going to say we do anything special," he says of his overall program. "We have no problem getting a game because we have a great membership and they live close by. They're younger, I-like-to-play-singles kind of people." Still, in any given week during the October-to-April season there are several adult clinics, a couple of round robins, and two junior clinics, and in summer he runs a junior day camp.

Courts & Fees. 10 Har-Tru courts, 6 of them with lights. Court fees: None for Diplomat Country Club guests; otherwise, $15/person/day.

Your Call

Here's what others have had to say about Diplomat Country Club & Spa.

• "My wife and I visted this resort in January 2007. Well-maintained har-tru clay courts with daily clinics. Court time was available anytime without notice. We enjoyed the private instruction and found it helpful. Rooms are excellent quality. Outstanding spa. The Country Club is just a short shuttle ride to the much-larger Resort and hotel.
  I'd definitely recommend staying at the Country Club and enjoying the serenity there during the day and hitting the Resort area and it's first-class restaurants at night. The Country Club is VERY quiet most nights. Even the resort hotel area is somewhat low-key,but still some fine dining and bars -- even a fun sports bar on the marina. This is definitely the place for a quiet and/or romantice getaway, not for those looking for nightlife, clubbing, etc."—E.B., Low Int., July 2007

Other Recreation

Beach. Although the Diplomat Hotel & Country Club is a mile inland from the coast, its guest do have access to the magnificently refurbished beach and amenities of the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa, a free shuttle ride away.

Golf Courses. The country club has an 18-hole Joe Lee-designed golf course notable for having four par-5s, including one at 570 yards that ranks as one of the longest in South Florida.

Spa & Fitness Center. Built of coral stone and attached to the hotel via a second-floor bridge (so you can come and go without having to pass through the lobby), the spa and fitness center in fact feels more intimate than its 30,000 square feet. If you're coming from the Westin, the main entrance is off a small courtyard with a gurgling fountain, ferns and palm trees; however, if you're staying at the hotel you can alternatively use a bridge on the second floor and thus avoid having to pass through the lobby. Either way, the spa offers a lengthy roster of treatments—among them an Aloe Skin Refresher and a variety of baths incorporating herbs, mineral salts, and aromatic oils—a small but well-equipped fitness center, and a variety of classes. There's also an outdoor heated spa pool

And ... The country club borders a 48-slip marina, in case you'd like to arrive by boat, and there is a puzzle-piece-shaped swimming pool and Jacuzzi at one end of the hotel. In addition, guests of the country club have access to all the amenities of the Westin, including its spectacular bridged swimming pools (one running N-S the other two-floors above it running E-W and spilling into the pool below.

Children's Programs

The Westin operates a Westin Kids Club for children ages 5 to 12.

Lodging

The 60 rooms and vast suites in the Diplomat Country Club have been elegantly appointed with hardwood floors, pale yellow walls, dark-wood furnishings, and such amenities as high-speed data ports, dual-line phones, and speaker phones. The baths sport separate tubs and walk-in showers with Kohler fixtures and sinks like large ribbed bowls.

Restaurants

There is a single restaurant at the Country Club, the Links Grill, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Its patio has a 360° view of the golf course.

See Also

If you like the small size of the Diplomat, also check out:

• Rancho Valencia Resort, California
• Fisher Island Hotel & Resort, Florida
• Daufuskie Island Resort and Breathe Spa, South Carolina
• The Inn at Manitou, Ontario, Canada

Travel Essentials

Seasons. Year-round, though the main tennis season runs from October through April

Diplomat Country Club & Spa
501 Diplomat Parkway
Hallandale, FL 33009
954-883-4000
Toll-free: 888-627-7218
Fax: 954-883-4009
Web Link: The Diplomat Country Club & Spa

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Book Online: The Diplomat Country Club & Spa

 

Travel Instructions. The nearest airport is Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood International in Ft. Lauderdale, just under 10 miles away.

General Tourist Information. For general information about vacationing in this part of Florida, contact the Great Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800 22-SUNNY or visit their web site www.sunny.org.

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