In 2000, I was hired by Seaside as the new tennis director. I remember driving down 30A from Grayton Beach and coming upon this beautiful oasis of a town. The town was much quieter then, and the program was slow. I built a thriving resort tennis program for the community and called this place home. Then I moved out of state for a few years for family reasons, later returning to the area, but to another resort.
I am proud to announce that I am coming home, back to Seaside. While my company, 30A Tennis, continues to manage other resort facilities, I will be offering my tennis programming exclusively in Seaside.
Seaside has always been the leader on 30A, hosting many of the area’s activities, concerts, plays, parades and art events. This is the place where I want to teach. I’ll be devoting all my time and efforts to current and new programming, available only in Seaside.
We have morning adult clinics and round robins throughout the year. Spring and summer are crazy busy, and additional clinics are added for those peak times to meet the needs of the town. After school programs run fall, winter and spring. Off-season events include ladies team weekends and mixers, and summer programs will be available for everyone’s June to August travel schedules.
Some of you may remember when we staged a Wimbledon-style event featuring former world No. 1 player Jim Courier. Seaside’s croquet lawn was transformed into a grass court, where spectators packed the grandstands for exhibition play.
I got to play Courier in a lopsided match (guess who won?) and conduct a clinic with him on the grass for our guests. Look for more of these types of events to return.
Our tennis pro shop is second to none, and is the only store that offers Seaside Tennis logo merchandise. The latest fashions from the top tennis brands can be found in our shop along with rackets and stringing services. All my pros are excellent players and coaches and are trained to help you in all aspects of improving your game.
I truly believe Seaside founders Robert and Daryl Davis have created a very special place here, and I am honored that my tennis program will be a part of this community and all that is uniquely Seaside. I enjoy talking to you at Bud & Alley’s Waterfront Restaurant about your lame forehand over a Red Stripe, or being stopped on my weekend beach walk to demonstrate a topspin backhand with no racket and a volleyball, or being attacked at dinner at Great Southern Café by the fun group of kids I taught earlier in the day. Where else in the world does this incredible atmosphere exist?
The other resorts are nice, but they are not and never will be
Seaside. I’m happy to be back on Seaside’s courts and look forward to seeing you there.
Tracy Townsend is a resort tennis expert, and his company 30A Tennis manages Seaside Tennis on behalf of Seaside Community Development Corp. You can reach him at tennis@seasidefl.com or call (850) 231-2214. For news, events and court conditions, find Seaside Tennis on Facebook.
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