Longboat Key Club/Resort
On Florida's SW coast;home of New 20-court Tennis Gardens
www.longboatkeyclub.com
TOPS'L Resort
Top 10 U.S. Tennis Resort Tennis pkgs: 888-248-4964
www.topsl.com
Here's what others have had to say about South Beach Racquet Club.
"Fantastic club --the reason we keep coming back to Sea Pines and South Beach Tennis---condos and Racquet Club. Michael is fantastic coach and the office staff is amazing--extremely helpful, knowledgeable and friendly. Lots of serious tennis players here so esay to sub in or get a group going.
thanks to Tri and all the great folks"—E.C., Int., March 2010
""—J.M., Adv., February 2010
"Mike O'Keefe, our instruction was excellent for all levels. He effective broke the game down into its major components, and then worked on them separately show us the techiques needed for each. He has a superb way of teaching us difficult strokes in a simple, understandabe manner."—B.H., Low Int., February 2010
"Great facility with friendly and professional staff. Pro gives stroke & drill clinics that can improve anyones game quickly. Very comfortable atmosphere. Would highly recommend South Beach Racquet Club."—B.M., Adv. Int., February 2010
"Awesome tennis club. Was there for a long tennis weekend. Had a clinc with their pro and played tennis on their wonderfully maintained tennis courts. Very friendly staff and great tennis shop with all the latest apparel. Just a few minutes from the beach and great dining. Right next door to Salty Dog Cafe. A hop skip and a jump from Charlotte. Highly recommend it for a ladies tennis team get away."—S.H., Int., January 2010
"Great staff and court in an amazing location. Everyone is so knowledgeable and friendly. The mixers are so fun and laid-back with great food and drinks. I will defiantly go there again."—K.S., Low Int., January 2010
"Excellent Courts. The hospitality of the owners and club Pro was Fantastic! This club made our vacation experience complete."—G.B., Int., January 2010
"South Beach Racket Club is so inviting with the beauty of the Club and tennis courts, a perfect location in Hilton Head. The staff is professional, friendly and very helpful! The tennis shop has the latest and most beautiful tennis fashion and the tennis lessons will last a life time!"—S.N., Adv., January 2010
"Excellent facility with a top notch staff. Head pro, Michael O'Keefe, is quite good as an instructor. surroundings are beautiful"—R.M., Int., November 2009
"Great all-around experience. Mike was awesome with both my daughter and myself. Keith took the time with my 7 year old son, and then took more time to talk thru some pointers with me. No question there is great value here. Cant wait to get back there next year for 2 weeks."—G.G., Int., August 2009
"What a great surprise! I almost want to keep this place a secret. Everything was right about SBRC. I came down with 5 other ladies from my tennis team and took a couple of clinics with Michael and Keith. I've learned that you can teach an old dog new tricks! They were VERY good at helping us to improve our game on both the singles and doubles courts.
Michael and Keith were very accommodating to each of our needs and they never seemed to run out of energy or enthusiasm. The facility is beautiful and the courts play great. It was an overall wonderful experience. We are all excited about returning in the Fall."—G.B., Int., July 2009
"Affordable, relaxed atmosphere along with good tennis instruction. My 10 year old twins have played tennis here for the past two years and we will be returning. Mike O'Keefe, Dir. of Tennis is wonderful with children and their parents."—B.B., Int., July 2009
South Beach is a separate fiefdom within Sea Pines, the legendary development at the southern tip of Hilton Head Island. It clusters around the South Beach Marina, a collection of New England-inspired buildings containing shops, restaurants, and a bargain-priced inn. For tennis players, however, the lure is the South Beach Racquet Club, whose 13 courts attract their own coterie of avid players with a blend of homey, Low Country architecture and a friendly, clublike atmosphere.
Pro Shop: 843-671-2215
Though upstaged by the high-profile Sea Pines Racquet Club in another part of the development, the South Beach Racquet Club deserves consideration, especially if you simply love to play. Its tiny, welcoming clubhouse, partly shaded by a giant live oak tree, resembles a Low Country cottage, with a porch that wraps around two sides. Rocking chairs on the porch, which overlooks Court 1, and free morning coffee (except in summer) encourage people to drop by and hang around. "Many of our members have their own rocking chair," notes Don Sigmon, who owns and operates the club with his wife Rachel. Those avid members account for much of the activity; however everyone is welcome, whether or not they're staying within the resort. Or as Sigmon puts it: "To play here you need to like tennis and enjoy having a good time."
The club is just a few steps from the shops, restaurants, and watersports center at South Beach Marina and about 300 yards from the beach. Bicycles can be rented at the racquet club, and at the end of the day lots of people wander over to the Salty Dog Cafe, a favorite place for beverages and snacks.
Tennis Staff. Owners Don and Rachel Sigmon take an active part in the club's operation.
Tennis Programs. Apart from private lessons, South Beach runs stroke-of-the-day clinics for adults and a variety of clinics for children (ages 5-8), pre-teens, and teens. With roughly 175 members—about half of them full-time residents—to draw on, the staff can often put together competitive matches for anyone who asks. Another way to meet players—apart from just dropping by—is to attend one of the twice-weekly round robins, which attract anywhere from a few to 16 players. Beyond that there are adult clinics and drills and several junior sessions (by age or ability) every Monday through Friday.
Courts & Fees. South Beach has 13 clay courts, six of them in a cluster anchored by the clubhouse and another seven among the trees across the road. Fees are $20/hour (although those who rent through certain agencies get free or discounted rates—check with the pro shop for up-to-date information).
If you like the friendly informality of the South Beach Racquet Club, also check out:
For rentals near the South Beach Racquet Club, contact:
South Beach Inn & Vacation Rentals., Inc.The options include rooms at the South Beach Inn (which has efficiencies and 1- and 2-bedroom units) as well as villas and homes ranging in size from studios to 5 bedrooms.
232 S. Sea Pines Dr.
Hilton Head Island, SC 29938
Phone: 843-671-6498
Toll-free: 800-367-3909
Fax: 843-671-7495
Web: South Beach Inn & Vacation Rentals
Jan. 1-Feb. 12, 2010
Inn (daily): $65-$109; Villas/Homes (weekly): $500-$2,200
Feb. 13-Mar. 26 and Apr. 24-May 28, 2010
Inn (daily): $98-$142; Villas/Homes (weekly): $650-$2,750
Mar 27-Apr. 23 & May 29-Aug. 13, 2010
Inn (daily): $142-$186; Villas/Homes (weekly): $850-$3,740
Aug. 14-Oct. 15, 2010
Inn (daily): $98-$142; Villas/Homes (weekly): $650-$2,750
Oct. 16-Dec. 31, 2010
Inn (daily): $65-$109; Villas/Homes (weekly): $500-$2,062
Seasons. Year-round though busiest during the period from June into September.
Travel Instructions. By Air: South Beach 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.