Of all the resorts on Hilton Head Island, Shipyard Plantation has always impressed me for its serenity. Drive through either entrance gate and you find yourself on a winding two-lane road bordered by woods or golf fairways and unobtrusive complexes of low-rise condos. The road eventually ends at the 23-court Van der Meer Shipyard Tennis Resort and a beachfront hotel called the Crowne Plaza Resort. Its location puts most of Hilton Head Island's shops, restaurants, and attractions within easy reach while ensuring a measure of tranquility once you return to the plantation.

Overview

The plantation itself covers a 800 acres. Unlike Sea Pines and Palmetto Dunes, which border long stretches of beach, most of Shipyard lies inland. At its northeastern corner, however, a rectangular parcel of land connects the rest of the plantation to the beach. It's there, just behind the dunes, that you'll find both the Crowne Plaza hotel and the resort's beach club.

The ownership of Shipyard's recreational amenities and its lodging is fragmented, which makes it modestly more complicated to sort through the options if you're planning to stay there. The condos are handled by many different island real estate agencies, each of which may have struck a different deal with the golf club and tennis club to ensure their guests special privileges.

Tennis players have it somewhat easier since they can call the Van der Meer organization and take advantage of special package prices the racquet club has cut with island hotels and villas, inside and outside the plantation.

Tennis Features

Pro Shop: 843-686-8804

Billie Jean King was the touring pro for Shipyard Plantation in 1974 when the racquet club was built. Almost two decades later her onetime coach and former business partner Dennis Van der Meer bought the racquet club and made major enhancements, including the addition of three indoor courts, the general upgrading of the others, and enhancement of the stadium.

Tennis Staff. Although Dennis Van der Meer himself very occasionally runs a clinic here, the day-to-day operation of the racquet club falls to Rick Meek. He played on the ATP tour in the early 1980s and has been teaching for Van Der Meer since not long after leaving the tour.
Tennis Programs. The Van der Meer organization has moved all of its multi-day adult programming to this Shipyard venue. Throughout virtually the entire year now, there are midweek and weekend clinics ranging from 10 to 20 hours in length. A few are run by Dennis Van der Meer himself, and it's always worth the slight premium to experience Van der Meer's astute ability to analyze and correct flaws and his ebullient personality and sometimes silly jokes and relentless kidding. However, different sessions are designed to appeal to different players, from basic clinics for a wide range to abilities to drill-and-play, advanced, or world-class drill sessions for NTRP 3.5 and above. Certain other periods are devoted to doubles or senior play. Adults who want daily (as opposed to multi-day) programs can still get those at the Van der Meer Tennis Center, which is also where the junior programs take place.
Courts & Fees. A handsome weathered wood-and-stucco pro shop beneath a towering live oak tree anchors this 20-court complex. Walkways impregnated with shells provide access to the courts, most of which have been laid out in pairs with refrigerated water fountains and shaded pavilions in between. One of these courts is a bleachered stadium. Altogether there are 14 clay courts and 6 hard, three of the latter in an indoor building whose blue roof and facade of stucco and columns hints at the other architecture within Shipyard. Court fees: $15-$18/hour except for those on Van der Meer clinic packages.

Your Call

Here's what others have had to say about Shipyard Plantation and Van der Meer Tennis, Shipyard.

• "My wife and I have been to a lot of resorts/Tennis camps, but retrospectively our five day clinic at Shipyard Van der Meer was the most enjoyable. The pros, especially Louie and Jimmy, were terrific, and the friendship with the other campers was tops. Plus having access to the indoor courts, allowed us to play even on the one day that it rained. The Hilton Head Low Country crusine......what more could you ask for?"—D.M., Adv. Int., April 2008

• "Instruction is excellent and all instructors use the same method---so there is great continuity in the lessons/drills. Instructor/student ratio is good and the instructors make it a point to adjust the level of drills to abilities of the group. I would definitely recommend VanderMeer at Shipyard to anyone wishing to have immediate improvement in their tennis game!"—J.C., Adv. Int., April 2008

• "I have been to shipyard every year for the past 7 years. The staff are always excellent, friendly, and can coach at any level. The facilities are top notch."—J.F., Adv., April 2008

• "I attend the 5-day tennis clinic and have been to this program about 10 times. I am a 4.5 level player, like to hit about 4-5 times per week, and am looking to improve my game in a fun, challenging atmosphere. First, the location on Hilton Head is excellent. Most players stay in the adjacent Crown Plaza hotel and walk to the courts. The hotel itself has quiet, comfortable rooms that are reasonably priced, convenient parking, and all the usual resort-type amenities.
  The clinic is run by Louie Cap who has been with VDM for 20-plus years. He demonstrated an uncanny ability to dissect out the problem with my strokes rapidly. Each day is broken down to a different stroke and I gathered 2-3 tips that definitely could be better. Other strengths of the program include knowledgable, friendly pros, excellent clay courts with unlimited court time, and superb location.
  Weaknesses would include some days when the player:pro ratio went from 4:1 to 6:1 and scarcity of players in the 4.0-5.0 level. Overall, you will hit alot of balls at VDM, meet nice people, and come home with a better game."—C.G., Adv., March 2008

• "We attended a doubles clinic weekend and while the drills were ok we were expecting more instruction/strategy for doubles playing. The facility was fine-well maintained. Great pro shop. Friendly staff."—B.P., Adv. Int., November 2007

• "Awesome tennis drills and play! I am a 4.0 player and attended a Drill and Play weekend for 3.5 players and above. The drills were fast paced, focused on both singles and doubles play, and the instructors were very helpful. It was great exercise and practice. All the balls were fed by the pros, not ball machines, which is a big plus.
  When the weather turned bad one day, we were able to move our drill sessions to the indoor courts. I've also done week long tennis sessions a few times in the past, and the only drawback I can think of is if you go during the summer, it can get very hot! I've stayed in several of the resorts on the island, and Shipyard Plantation is the most peaceful in my experience. The beach is gorgeous and flat -- great for riding bikes."—A.M., Adv. Int., May 2007

Other Recreation

Beach. Only one tiny strip of the Shipyard property borders the beach, and that occurs in the extreme northeast corner just behind the Crowne Plaza Resort. Low dunes tufted with grass separate the beach proper from a line of palm trees and the hotel and beach club. Blue umbrellas stud the sand, which is otherwise cluttered with beach tricycles and chairs.

Golf Courses. Shipyard has 27 holes of golf.

Fitness Center. The only fitness center is a small one at the Crowne Plaza Resort. It has an indoor swimming pool (too short for laps), perhaps a dozen total cardiovascular and weight-training machines, plus a few freeweights and a postage-stamp-sized aerobics room.

And ... There are bike trails through the property but not much else in the way of other recreation.

Children's Programs

The Crowne Plaza has a children's playground, and it also runs something called Camp Castaway, an adventure camp for children ages 3-12.

Lodging

The Crowne Plaza Resort is a rather utilitarian-looking concrete block structure separated from the beach by some dunes and a pavilion and from the tennis center by a parking lot. The lobby and public areas have a nautical theme, and its amenities include a swimming pool, two restaurants, a small fitness center and a children's play area. As for the rooms themselves, if mine was typical these are decent-sized digs with enough square footage for a kingsize bed and a sofa. Mine had a balcony overlooking the courtyard (others have beach views) and such extra amenities as a coffeemaker, iron and ironing board, hair dryer, makeup mirror, and robes. Make a reservation.
The Van der Meer organization has teamed with The Vacation Company to offer villas and luxury homes, some on the beach and within walking distance of the tennis complex. Ask about special rates when you book you clinics.

Restaurants

I did not eat in either of the hotel restaurants, which consist of Portz, a restaurant that specializes in a seafood buffet, and a second that was essentially a coffee shop. There is a third dining option within the Plantation and that is Reflections in the golf clubhouse. If you have first-hand information about the food in any of these, I'd like to hear about it.

See Also

If you like the sound of Shipyard, compare it to:

• Amelia Island Plantation, Florida
• Kiawah Island Golf Resort, South Carolina
• Litchfield Beach & Golf Resort, South Carolina
• Palmetto Dunes Resort, South Carolina
• Sea Pines Resort, South Carolina
• Wild Dunes Resort, South Carolina

For something in the mountains, look at:

• Wintergreen Resort, Virginia

Travel Essentials

Seasons. Tennis can be played year-round at Shipyard; however the beach loses its appeal from late November into early March, since the weather during that period can be chilly. On the other hand, some of the best bargains in lodging rates (and discounted clinics) also occur in winter.

Shipyard Plantation
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
843-785-8388
Toll-free: 800-845-6138
Fax: 843-785-7032
Web Link: Shipyard Plantation

Internet Rates! Other Hilton Head Island Lodging. Check For Internet Specials at Hotels, Condos, and Villas

Travel Instructions. By Air: Shipyard is 45 miles from Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) in Georgia and 95 miles from Charleston International Airport (CHS). Major airlines serve both of those gateways. It is also possible to fly directly to Hilton Head Island Airport (HHH), on commuter service from US Airways Express, via Charlotte, NC. Rental cars and shuttles are available at all three airports.

General Tourist Information. Visit the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau web site or contact them at 1 Chamber Dr., P.O. Box 5647, Hilton Head Island, SC 29938; 843-785-3673 or toll-free 800-523-3373.

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