"We are recidivists," declared Rita, a woman from Queens, New York, back for her second stay at Total Tennis that summer. Several of the campers were people she'd met on previous Total Tennis vacations, and she was now part of a group of more than ten people from all over the Northeast who had worked it out to be there at the same time. One of that contingent, himself another hearty Total Tennis perennial, described the camaraderie as commonplace. "We run into a lot of people we've met before, campers and staff," said Gary. "They're very friendly here. You call, they know who you are. You come through the door, they remember you." At any given session, roughly half of all the campers have been there before.

Total Tennis has a 25-year-long reputation for high-quality tennis camps. Originally staged at a private school in Massachusetts, it moved to its own year-round site in New York's Hudson Valley in the fall of 1997. Although the five-hour-a-day program remains unchanged—including the fact that you stay with the same pro throughout your visit—the quality of the experience has very much improved. So has the facility itself, which now has 25 courts in all, five of them indoors.

Overview

Places that cater primarily to tennis players are an endangered species. Most that do exist were built during the tennis boom of the 1970s. They cling to the notion that nothing is better than spending your vacation on court in the company of other players. But at a time when the world seems to have contracted mad-golf disease, tennis has become a devalued currency—one benighted national sports publication had even gone so far as to declare it dead. That makes it all the more extraordinary when someone like Ed Fondiller comes along and flaunts conventional wisdom by opening a year-round camp whose only market is tennis players.

Although the camp had run profitably for two decades of summers at the Williston-Northampton School in Massachusetts and thus had a loyal following, it was still a brave act to open a facility that would operate year-round, outside the Sunbelt no less. But when Total Tennis founder Ed Fondiller at last found an old lodge in New York's Catskill Mountains, an easy 90-minute drive from New York City, he believed he could make it all work.

So what if the lodge and its rooms needed extensive work, and courts had to be built? The quietly picturesque setting on 70 acres of woods and meadows had views of the rounded peaks of the Catskills and promised an escape from the city. Thus Fondiller and his crew set about extensively renovating the lodge and rooms, had brand-new courts and an indoor center built, fixed up the outdoor swimming pool, and then introduced his own brand of intensive tennis clinics in this sylvan setting.

Rather than stay in dorms you now bed down in simple lodge rooms, most of which have private baths. The food for the group dining has improved too, and now the main lodge and its bar provide a place for campers to congregate at night. There is usually some kind of evening activity planned, from a talk on sports psychology to a Saturday night dance in the game room with a DJ. Add to that a fitness center and occasional singles weeks (see Calendar), you have the formula for a popular tennis getaway.

Tennis Features

Pro Shop: 845-247-9177

Ed Fondiller adopts a simple approach to his camp: "I try to keep it laid back and relaxed," he says. "I want to keep tennis in perspective. If you're not out there having fun, you shouldn't be playing."

Talk to any of the camp regulars, and the comment you hear over and over again is that they like the people who attend. Despite its 5-plus-hour-a-day format, this is not a boot camp and neither does it seem, in general, to attract campers intense about their tennis. It provokes astonishingly disparate reactions. Many love it, while others—typically those who had attended Total Tennis when it was in Northampton, Massachusetts—rue the lack of things to do in Saugerties. And one disappointed camper complained that Fondiller had been very rude. "When one of our group complained that we hadn't received as many hours on court as we expected, Ed didn't try to do anything about it. Instead he said, 'That's the way I run my camp,'" the camper reported.

Tennis Staff. Ed Fondiller founded the camp and continues to take an active part in its day-to-day operation. Much of his staff has been with him for years and about half of them now work at the camp year-round. During the busy summer months he supplements those pros with high school and college coaches and some college players.
Tennis Programs. Campers have the option of a half-day or full-day program. The morning sessions typically begin at 8:45 with an introduction to the morning's topic—ground strokes, doubles, whatever—and then move onto the courts for three hours of drills interrupted by a juice break. Afternoon sessions usually start at 1:30 p.m. and continue to 3 p.m., after which there may be a round robin, pro-am doubles, or open court time. Because campers tend to work with the same pro throughout their stay (barring days off), the work done on court can be tailored to their needs and skill level. Ratios never exceed 4:1. Everyone also gets a ½-hour private lesson.
Courts & Fees. There are 25 courts altogether: 11 red clay, 12 hard (5 of them indoors), and two artificial grass. Court Fees: None outdoors; $15/hour indoors.
Caveat: Any program that puts you with the same pro throughout the week risks the occasional personality conflict. If you're not happy, my advice is to ask to be switched, even if that means having to join a group of players above or below your level.
The other element to be aware of is that there is no courtside water at Total Tennis, so bring your own water jug (the camp puts out ice where campers can easily get it) to take to the courts with you.

Your Call

Here's what others have had to say about Total Tennis.

• "Red clay courts are great, food was excellent and setting is beautiful. Rooms are spartan but do have AC and plenty of hot water! Indoor facility is superior. Having one instructor for the entire stay is a big drawback. Instructors should be rotated from group to group. Massage therapist was superior:knows her stuff and worked miracles!"—F.R., Adv. Int., April 2008

• "I visited in April when the weather was dicey and the indoor courts were fine. Located at an old Catskill resort, it's not fancy, but very comfortable, with excellent food, a common recreation area, and wireless access (at least in the main lodge).
  I had two brief private lessons, which were OK, but the group work with two pros was excellent--lots of good strategic advice and well-designed, vigorous drills. Also got a massage while there, which I enjoyed but can't compare to anything since it was my first."—B.G., Int., April 2008

• "This is a great tennis resort. It has great courts, great staff, great location and great food. The only comment I have is that depending on the pro that you are assigned, you may have to keep nudging him/her to keep the "learning" going. They sometimes have a tendancy to get a bit lazy."—J.F., Adv. Int., April 2008

• "Total Tennis rocks if you are a no-nonsense tennis geek. The instruction is first rate and groups are small and personal. The facility is plain, this is no 5 star resort but it has everything you need to improve your game. Food, served buffet style is fantastic. So leave your white gloves at home and go for the tennis."—D.S., Adv. Int., April 2008

• "I have been going to Total Tennis since it arrived in Saugeties, NY (used to be in Mass)and for me it's the perfect tennis camp to work on your strokes in a convivial setting. One of the few places you can go solo and quickly be part of the group. Communal dining is definitely a good thing. Food is first-rate (chef is a Culinary Inst. grad) and Ellen at the front desk attends to your every need.
  The only negative can be the tennis pro assigned, since obvously they are not all created equal. Most are first-rate. Maximum four people in a group and I have always found that the group chemistry works fine. Accommodations are "rustic," but that's ok for me. I usually try to upgrade when my wife attends with me. I do recommend it. It's great for players at every level."—B.W., Adv., April 2008

• "I love, love love total tennis. It is alot of fun, great food, very friendly atmosphere. Most of the tennis pros are pretty good. If you are unhappy with the group you are placed in, they are willing to change you around. The rooms are sort of bungalo/cabin style, nothing fancy, but perfectly fine. The setting is really pretty, and there us a beautiful swimming pool, and hot tub. They have a couple of really good masseuses available (I am very picky about my massage, and they are very good.)
  If you are above the 4.0 level, you may be disappointed, as most players are lower level. The times I have gone, there were many 3.0-3.5 players, a fair amount of 2.0-2.5, some real beginners and a couple of 4.0s. I play at the BJK National tennis center, and alot of people from there go to Total tennis and love it! Great if you are a solo traveler, alot of people go alone, everyone is very friendly, staff is helpful, rooms are clean."—L.C., Int., March 2008

• "Out of all the tennis camps I have experienced, and there have been many, this one is the second to the worst! It is very cheap and there are obvious reasons why!! One of the teaching staff, a young male, was very rude to my wife, but very nice to me (sexism??!!) They do not deserve the rating they won here.
  If you went here, you would be so disappointed, trust me, except for the food, which is most plentiful and very good. The place is so rundown and ugly though - it is so depressing!! We asked for a quiet room and they put us right above their old-fashioned, crummy disco, playing outdated, bad music, with an air vent in the lower wall that sent the music right to our heads on our bed, when we wished to get an early night's sleep. The tennis director had the nerve, when one woman complained about being too good a player for her group, to bounce me out of this well-matched group for my level of play, so she could be in it and I was a better player than she!!! This is just NOT RIGHT!!
  The place is a real dive; our light was broken, so at night on the upper level outside steps, and walkway, we really could not see!! The furniture is from a 90 year old boy's camp or else, or Savlvation Army. Wow --- what a bummer!!! It was really bad. Amateur-time."—R.S., Adv. Int., July 2007

• "Food was actually pretty good; sleepling arrangements were simple but adequate. However, the tennis had a lot to be desired. This is not a camp for 3.5 players wanting to get to the 4.0 level; you will just not find the competition.
  There was too much emphasis on drills and we only got to minimal match play when most of us were burnt to a crisp on the sun baked courts. Never played on clay courts with so many bad bounces.
  Court features were minimal -- no cover from the sun and just not a place you want to spend much time at. Pro shop -- well I'm not sure you can call it a proshop. Instruction was adequate but not very creative. Essentially, I would not go back."—E.L., Adv. Int., June 2007

Other Recreation

Golf Courses. Although there is no golf course at the camp, there is one 9-hole course just up the road.

Spa & Fitness Center. One long, narrow room in the building that houses the indoor courts will become the fitness center but at the moment lacks equipment. Plans now call to outfit it during the winter of 1999/2000, but if that is important to you check before you come up to verify that the equipment has in fact been installed. Ed Fondiller also has longer range plans of adding a spa; however, at the moment, the only service available is massages.

And ... The camp has a recreational swimming pool open during the summer and fall.

Children's Programs

Not a place for children.

Lodging

Total Tennis has 43 rooms altogether. Most occupy one of three three wooden buildings: the Lodge, Cherry Hill, and the Barn. Sparely furnished, they typically have one or two beds with quilted bedspreads, simple pine dressers and end tables, carpeted floors, and tiny private baths with tubs and showers. All are air conditioned but none has a phone, television, or even radio (bring an alarm). Those in the Lodge and Cherry Hill also have balconies or patios with rocking chairs facing the swimming pool and the Catskill Mountains. On very busy weekends—when there could be as many as 70 people in camp—Total Tennis also uses the rooms in three cabins.

For those accustomed to the dorms at the old Massachusetts property, these rooms represent a major step up; however, like the dorms, they are really not much more than places to sleep, change, and store your belongings, and some are very small. None has so much as a table, chair, or adequate reading light. This is clean, functional, but by no means posh space.

Restaurants

Everyone eats in the dining room at long pine tables. Longtime Total Tennis loyalists say the food is better than ever under the new chef, who also tends to be conscious of minimizing the amount of fat he uses even in something like tortellini Alfredo. On he whole, the food is simple but tasty. In a typical week you may get an outdoor barbecue one night (chicken, ribs, veggie burgers), Italian another, turkey a third. Lunch and dinner both includes plenty of salads, vegetables, and fruit. And breakfast consists of hot and cold items.

See Also

If you're looking for an all-day tennis camp with lots of social atmosphere, also check out:

• Nike Amherst Tennis Camp, Massachusetts Summer only
• Bollettieri Tennis Academy, Florida
• John Newcombe Tennis Ranch, Texas
• New England Tennis Holidays, New Hampshire Late spring into early fall only.

Travel Essentials

Seasons. Year-round, however the outdoor season runs from mid May to mid October. During the winter most people come for weekends or long weekends.

Rates include lodging, three meals a day, roughly 5 hours/day of tennis instruction (with the option for half-day sessions). Higher rates may apply over holidays.

Weekend and 2-day midweek prices quoted here, though longer sessions also available.

Total Tennis
Box 28
Saugerties, NY 12477
845-247-9177
Toll-free: 800-221-6496
Fax: 845-247-0221
Web Link: Total Tennis

 

Travel Instructions. By Air: The nearest major airport is Albany, 47 miles to the north. By Car: Total Tennis is three miles from Exit 20 off the New York State Thruway. That puts it roughly 90 miles north of New York City. By Bus: Adirondack Trailways stops in Saugerties on its route between New York City's Port Authority Bus Terminal and Albany. You can phone from the drop-off point (Dacey's Family Restaurant) and someone from Total Tennis will pick you up. By Rail: The nearest Amtrak station is Rhinecliff, New York; it is approximately $22 by cab from there to the camp.

General Tourist Information. Although Saugerties provokes flashbacks to the original Woodstock Festival, it has become known more recently for its antique shops and its eight-square-block National Historic District. For more information about it, visit the Saugerties web site on the Hudson Valley Network.

Links: Home | Index | Search | Specials | Calendar | Juniors | Join Our Mailing List | Contact TRO | Site Map | Rate This Resort

Maps: Northwest | Southwest & Hawaii | Midwest & South | Northeast | Mid-Atlantic | Southeast & Caribbean | Europe & North Africa

©Copyright 1999-2008 Roger Cox