Drysdale Tennis School
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Here's what others have had to say about Sea Colony Resort.
"If you are looking for the most comprehensive instruction in a short period (mini-camp) of time, then Sea Colony is it! I have only been playing tennis for 6 years. I play USTA year round and take a private lesson once a week along with a team practice once a week.
Without a doubt, Dave Marshall and his staff provided the best tennis instruction for my money!! Dave's approach makes you feel successful and you feel confident that you can take what you learn on his court and apply the same to your own "home" court. Even some of the drills are easy to duplicate at home and incorporate into your own practice sessions.
I can't wait to come back, Coach!"—M.J., Adv. Int., June 2009
"I recently visited Sea Colony for a 16 day vacation from London, England. As you will appreciate flying all the way from the UK (8 hours on a plane) you want to be pretty sure the resort you have chosen will meet your expectations otherwise you could be stuck with not only a poor location but 16 days wondering why you didn’t just head back to Florida, like I always do. I picked Sea Colony as I had read a very positive review in Tennis Magazine and the feedback from the reviews on Tennis Resorts Online convinced me that I should give Sea Colony a shot.
As a traveling, slightly older, single player I have found that the Adult Tennis programs in the USA suit me very well but normally you have to sign up for a 3 or 5 day camp with 5 hours of drills a day and as I normally come to the States for at least 2 weeks this is fine but leaves little time or energy to enjoy your vacation. So the idea of as much or as little tennis as you want on a daily basis at Sea Colony really appealed to me.
My first impression of Sea Colony was one of visiting a very large Tennis Club (like the ones we have in the UK that are used to train top rated juniors from the surrounding area) but with a very warm friendly welcome. The first time you meet Dave Marshall (Dr Dave) you immediately sense his enthusiasm for the game of Tennis. Dave absolutely lives and breathes tennis and has that depth of knowledge which immediately transfers a level of trust that what he is telling you will actually help. What is also clear is that the teaching Pros and in fact all of the Staff work ‘The Dave Marshall Way’.
At every drill session and no matter which Pro you had, all the instruction was based on Dr Dave’s methods. From beginner to advanced Players, the instruction was not only clear and precise but demonstrated in a way that was simple to understand, simple to put into practice and very quickly produced a positive improvement in the stroke or tactic that you are working on.
The flexibility of the Sea Colony program means you can have 3 hours of forehand drills on a Monday, play doubles with similar level players on a Tuesday and then do a one hour drill session on a Wednesday. It’s this flexibility which is the key to a Tennis vacation at Sea Colony. Throw in a 2 Day Weekend Team Tennis Tournament for residents and guests and you quickly understand that Dave and his staff are working flat out to provide as much tennis as people want.
Another big advantage at Sea Colony is the indoor Tennis facility. There is nothing worse than traveling all the way to the USA and then being rained out. What is impressive is that not only do Dave and his staff take care of visiting vacationers and residents, there is also the ongoing legacy of the continued development of top junior players from Delaware and Maryland.
There are certain things that I take for granted whenever I travel to America. You know the accommodation will be first class. You know the facilities will be first class. You know that the service will be first class. All of these are in abundance at Sea Colony and with Dr Dave Marshall and his Team you get not only great instruction, game matching, hitting partners, tournaments but unbelievable value for money. Is there a downside? Yes, 16 days is not enough! I will be back!"—P.I., Int., June 2009
"I loved Dave Marshall's Tennis Weekend Mini-camp. The instruction was exceptional! I learned great technique and had numerous opportunity to practice the technique all weekend during the clinic. I would reccommend this tennis resort to everyone!"—M.M., Adv., June 2009
"This was the third year that my team and I went to Dave Marshall's camp at Sea colony. We love it! The teaching professionals a re great - friendly and knowledgeable enough to give you that one tip that really helps your game. The drills and games are fun and really help your game."—L.C., Adv. Int., June 2009
"I am neither a beginner nor a solid player. But my 5 days of clinics and lessons at Sea Colony were the best time I could invest in bringing my game to a respectable level. Dave and his team are incredible at tailoring their instructor and support to wherever you are. And that can be in a private lesson or a group of 10. You can be a true beginner or one of those players many of us watch open-mouthed.
The facility is perfect, rain or shine, with beaches and biking just moments away for the off hours. I will be back again and again; if only to see Dave's face smile as I improve!"—N.M., Low Int., May 2009
"I have visited Sea Colony in Bethany Beach, Delaware, at least twice a year for the past decade. Generally I go with a group of 8-12 friends and we take weekend clinics with Dave Marshall and his staff. Dave and his pros do a great job of blending instruction and competitive drills to create a dynamic learning and playing experience. They also continue to develop and customize their program so it is always fresh. The pros are knowledgeable and a lot of fun. I highly recommend Sea Colony as my favorite tennis destination."—H.F., Adv. Int., May 2009
"I went to Sea Colony with 3 friends for some tennis and fun. While there, we took a group lesson with Dave Marshall - and consensus opinion was best tennis lesson ever. Dave quickly figures out what you are looking for and jumps right into the lesson - not a minute wasted, and no one remains idle. He has latest information and tips - not the same old stuff.
He also has fun teaching - something you miss from many tennis instructors. And the last thing that impressed everyone was - he doesn't let his students pick up balls - that's handled by his staff. I like that philosophy of using every minute of the lesson on actual lessons. We'll go back for the tennis."—K.H., Adv. Int., May 2009
"My wife and I had the unique experience of attending a weekend mini camp for adults. I was a little unsure of this as this was our first time for Sea Colony and our playing level very different. I am a 4.5 and she is a 3.0.
This was without question the best tennis vacation we have ever taken. There were never more than 4 to a court on any of the courts. Dr Dave made a few minor adjustments to my volley and then invited me play with him and two other guys from his national 5.5 winning team!!! What an experience. My wife has come home with a new serve and has bumped up to a 3.5 she is thrilled. After tennis there were many things available to us including walking the beach. The staff were excellent. We will be back and my wifes USTA team has already booked a weekend! Thanks Dr Dave and your staff!"—R.M., Adv., May 2009
"I am a ranked junior player with access to all of the top named training facilities in the south. I continue to travel to Delaware to be trained by superior coaching and teaching of Dr Dave Marshall and his staff.
It amazes me for a junior tournmanet player how the drills are always new and demanding. There are always players there for match play and hitting. This is by far the most complete tennis "academy" for a junior player."—L.B., Adv., May 2009
"Not very well run disorganized"—J.C., Int., May 2009
"The place to bring your USTA team for great workouts, stratgey and a weekend of hitting a thousand tennis balls. I can not say enough about the program. I have attended for many years now and there is always something new and exciting. Dr Dave and his 5.5 mens USTA were the winners on the 2008 nationals and with his help and advice our womens team won the senior nationals. Dr Dave leaves no detail undone.Thank you Dave and your fantastic staff!!!"—T.B., Adv., April 2009
"Dr Dave and his group of instructors are by far the best i have ever had the expereince to be on the court with. Very different- non boring drills- When i was there there were never more than 4 to an instructor. If you are looking for a place to work on your game and bring it to the next level this is it!"—J.B., Adv., April 2009
Rate Sea Colony Resort
Sea Colony begins as a phalanx of 10-to-14-story towers on the beach, crosses over Route 1, and continues westward as a series of quiet residential 
neighborhoods consisting of one- to three-story clapboard houses and townhouses. There are some 2,200 condominiums and homes altogether, and during the first week in August, when I visited, I was told that literally every one was occupied, either by its owner or a renting vacationer.
If you live in Greater Washington, D.C., Baltimore or Philadelphia you are far more likely to be familiar with Sea Colony than if you live beyond its traditional drive-in market. Nevertheless, if your passion is tennis and you like nothing better than being around others who share it, then Sea Colony ought to be on the list of places you consider, no matter where you live.
Pro Shop: 302-539-4488
For a majority of vacationers who come here, the beach is an obvious lure. However, many owners told me that the deciding factor in their purchase of a home was the quality of the tennis, both for them and their kids. That's because after the beach, the most important amenity at Sea Colony is its 34 hard and clay tennis courts and the exceptional enthusiasm for the game generated by tennis director Dave Marshall.
Tennis Staff. Marshall started teaching at Sea Colony during the summers in 1980 under USPTA Master Pro Dave Kozlowski. He would later go on 
to play for Maryland's Washington College and has won seven Delaware state championships and three Middle States sectional championships. Then in 1989 when Kozlowski moved on, Marshall took over as tennis director and began building today's programs. He was so successful that as Sea Colony grew, the developer recognized the need to continue to increase the number of courts and was even convinced to take the unusual step of adding four indoor.
There are any number of factors you can point to as elements in Marshall's success. His roots in this area go back 400 years, which may help to explain his innate grasp of what draws people to the shore. But many guests I talked to said it was his staff that impressed them most. "The pros are great with kids," one mother told me. "It's just a great family place."
Although there are several seasoned pros on the roster, much of the teaching and pro shop staff are the children of owners, kids who have themselves come up through Marshall's programs and return each summer. He may have as many as 20 pros on his summer roster, many of them college players who learned their technique from Marshall. "I try to organize things in a way that people know what to expect when they come back," says Marshall. "I try to keep everything high energy and high movement." Marshall himself is so much in demand that he's likely to be on court from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in summer. Asked how he keeps from burning out, he answers, "I just love it." Meanwhile, he has found time to complete a doctorate in education and was named "USPTA Pro of the Year" for the Middle States.
Tennis Programs. During the busy summer season, there are adult clinics each weekday morning and junior clinics each weekday afternoon (on Fridays the junior clinic becomes a midday cookout and round robin), both divided into beginner, 
intermediate, and advanced sections. There are also 90-minute junior academy sessions three days a week. Designed for tournament players these are also open to adults. And there are three round robins weekly. Then during spring and fall the emphasis shifts to weekend minicamps. And at any season the staff is there to help set up games. (See Sea Colony Recreation for a complete list of activities, tennis and otherwise.)
On paper, that appears to be merely a solid roster of options, but what sets them apart is the number of participants. On a day in August when temperatures had soared above 95 degrees, more than 30 adults and juniors turned out for the 10 a.m. intermediate clinic and another 30-plus attended the 11 a.m. advanced clinic. I also counted 20 beginners in the 1 p.m. junior clinic which Marshall astutely scheduled for the indoor courts. "People told me they liked to be able to get their kids and themselves out of the sun during the middle of the day," says Marshall.
Courts & Fees. The vast majority of the courts are at the tennis center, where there are 12 Har-Tru and 10 hard courts outdoors (4 with lights) in a semi-circle around the building housing the four indoor courts and pro shop. A path across the street leads to four more courts (the so-called "Doubles Courts" because they can be booked only for doubles on summer mornings). Finally, there are 4 hard courts next to the midrise towers on the beach side of the development. Court fees: None.
Beach. Sea Colony fronts ½ mile of Bethany Beach, a broad boulevard of soft sand washed by the Atlantic Ocean. A free shuttle takes guests from Sea Colony West (where the tennis center is) across Route 1 to the beach.
Fitness Center. A short walk from the tennis center is a multi-use fitness center with indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a snack bar, basketball court, and a workout room containing roughly a dozen pieces of cardiovascular equipment, Paramount weight stations, and free weights. classes vary with the season but in summer include kick boxing, tai chi, Pilates, yoga, and drop-in basketball and volleyball.
And ... Bike paths lace Sea Colony West making it easy for kids to get from houses and townhomes there to the tennis courts, fitness center, or marketplace (though to reach the beach they have to cross busy Route 1).
The exact schedule for the Summer 2006 Children's Programs hasn't been set yet but typically includes such activities as Dinner & a Movie, Teen Meet & Greet, bonfires, sandcastle contests, junior lifeguards, swim meeting, money hunts, junior tennis clinics each weekday afternoon, a junior tennis academy three days/week, and more.
Lodging at Sea Colony ranges from one-bedroom condos to four-bedroom homes, all of them privately owned and decorated. Prices vary partly with location and partly with the category of the units: Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze. There are nine different types. All have fully equipped kitchens, washer/dryers, central air conditioning, and cable TVs with VCRs. Be aware that a bronze unit, while functional, may not meet your personal criteria for elegance and comfort. Some have readier access to swimming pools than others. Check the web site for details.
The Marketplace at the entrance to Sea Colony has two restaurants: Gary's Beach Cafe, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner; and the Big Easy, which serves seafood and steaks. Locals, however, are much more likely to suggest places like Sedona and the Parkway (both with big city cuisine and big city prices), and DiFebos (Italian), all in Bethany Beach; and the Grove Market, a shack in Bishopville, Maryland so popular for its superb fish—some smoked on the premises—duck, and seafood pasta that this tiny place can book out weeks in advance in summer.
Among the other tennis resorts similar to Sea Colony are:
Lodging consists of 1-to-5 bedroom condos and houses, some oceanfront, others near the tennis complex. During the summer, one-week bookings are required. Tennis camps and clinics are available September to May through Colony Tennis Director Dave Marshall.
Jan. 1-Apr. 5, 2007 (daily; 2-night min.)
1-bdrm, $76-$113; 2-bdrm, $86-$150
Apr. 6-May 31/Sep. 4-Oct. 15 (daily; 2-night min)
1-bdrm, $106-$170; 2-bdrm, $116-$235
June 1-21 & Aug. 27-Sept. 3 (daily, 7-night min.)
1-bdrm, $102-$253; 2-bdrm, $120-$386
June 22-Aug. 26, 2007 (daily; 7-night min.)
1-bdrm, $127-$341; 2-bdrm, $150-$521
Oct. 16-Dec. 31, 2007 (daily; 2-night min.)
1-bdrm, $76-$113; 2-bdrm, $86-$150
Seasons. Year-round thanks to its indoor courts.
Travel Instructions. The nearest major airports are Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI) and Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), each roughly a 2½-hour drive from Bethany Beach. The alternative is to fly into Wicomico Regional Airport (SBY) in Salisbury, MD, which is approximately 45 minutes' drive south of Bethany Beach and is served by US Airways and United.
General Tourist Information. Apart from other reasons to visit Bethany Beach there is also the fact that Delaware does not charge sales tax. Rehoboth, 14 miles north of Bethany Beach, has some 140 factory outlet stores along a two-mile stretch of Route 1 to help you better take advantage. For general information about travel within Delaware, visit the Delaware Tourism Office web site or contact them at 99 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901. Phone: 302-739-4271 or toll-free 866-284-7483. For specific information about the Bethany Beach area, visit the Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce web site or contact them at Delaware Rt. 1, Bethany Beach, DE 19930-1450. Phone: 302-539-2100 or toll-free 800-962-7873.