Long Island Tennis Magazine’s 2015 Tennis Travel Destination Guide

November 16, 2015 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
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Boca West Country Club
(561) 488-6990 ♦ BocaWestCC.org
Located in Boca Raton, Fla. in Palm Beach County, Boca West Country Club is renowned for its first-rate recreational activities. The Country Club's reputation in golf is equaled by its $1.8 million Tennis Center. Fully dedicated to the racquet sport, there is a lighted stadium court and seating for more than 300, plus access for members to U.S. Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) staff for tennis clinics and private lessons for instructions, drills, techniques and strategies.

The number one residential country club in the U.S. is also the proud recipient of the 2013 U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) Outstanding Tennis Facility Award. Tennis enthusiasts looking for superb amenities in a beautiful private country club setting have the opportunity to see many WTA and ATP touring pros and other world-class players who frequent the courts.

Adding cachet to the Club’s brand is the recent 2015 partnership with WTA rising star Christina McHale, who, according to USA Today, has “long been considered a could-be next star for the U.S. on the women's tour.”

Tennis Center courts carry a feature-worthy status of their own. There are 31 Hydro-courts, three of which are lit for night play. The Tennis Center is a sought-after draw and destination, hosting championship tournaments and exhibitions, including the USTA French Open Wild Card Tournament, held from 2006-2010.

An award-winning community that was originally developed by Arvida Corporation in 1971, it is home to 6,000 residents (3,380 families) in magnificent residences, including townhomes, patio homes, villas, garden apartments and single-family homes.

Boca West is the Number One Private Residential Country Club in the country and number one private club, of all types in Florida statewide. Boca West is a Platinum Club of America, Five-Star Private Club, since 1997, and is proudly recognized as a “Distinguished Emerald Club” by BoardRoom Magazine since 2013.


 

Elite Tennis Travel Program
(914) 713-5074 ♦ 
info@elitetennistravel.com
EliteTennisTravel.com

Elite Tennis Travel Inc. builds exclusive tennis and cultural experiences in Spain. Tennis training is provided by masters at renowned clubs in Barcelona, Valencia and Madrid. Cultural activities include dinners at the chef’s tables, behind-the-scenes museum access, and winery tours. Spanish language lessons are also provided upon request. Programs are designed for adults, for high school students, for groups and individuals.

Elite exclusive journeys for adults
Elite Tennis’ seven-day program in Spain is a world-class tennis experience. Elite Tennis can arrange a master-class, a conference and lunch with Carlos Moyá or Juan Carlos Ferrero. These tennis masters will help you work on your technique, precision, strategy and match play. In addition, Elite Tennis Travel can plan every aspect of your vacation. Cultural options include visits to architectural treasures, exclusive culinary experiences, the theater and wine-tasting tours.

One- or two-week programs in Barcelona for high school students include: Tennis and physical training, language lessons, cultural experiences, 24-hour supervision, accommodations, three meals per day and transportation.

Tennis development
Elite’s coaches are former ATP players and will work on technical and tactical aspects of the game. They are bilingual and are able to offer instruction in either language. This high-performance program includes four hours of tennis instruction, and two ours of off-court training.

Cultural program
During the weekends, there are planned excursions to explore various facets of Barcelona, including its culture and traditions. Visits to local beaches, museums and important historical sites enrich the program. 

Language program
Elite Tennis Travel’s schools are accredited by the National Independent Private Schools Association (NIPSA), and offer a variety of Spanish programs. Elite’s teachers are licensed, native speakers who will target the areas that will improve the skill of each student, regardless of their level.

Groups
Elite Tennis Travel can accommodate groups of various sizes. From teams to tennis friends to families, Elite Tennis Travel will design an experience to the required specifications.


 

The Club at Mediterra
(239) 254-3000 ♦ 
MediterraLiving.com
Mediterra is Naples, Fla.’s eight-time Community of the Year and was recently named the Number One Retirement Community in Florida by Best Retirement Destinations. It received a 2013 Aurora Award for Best Residential Development in the Southeastern U.S. and ranks as one of the top private clubs in the world by BoardRoom Magazine. It is also ranked as one of America’s Healthiest Clubs.

The 1,700-acre community offers an array of lifestyle amenities, including two world-class Tom Fazio-designed courses and the private 10,000-square-foot Beach Club on the Gulf of Mexico, featuring an elevated swimming pool, casual dining with a full bar, and valet service for beach chairs, umbrellas, and beverage and food menus.

The Club, Tavern on 18, Fire Pit Patio and Summer Kitchen offer formal and casual dining prepared by a staff of award-winning culinary experts. Available home designs in Mediterra include single-family estate homes and single-family maintenance-free villas priced from $1 million to more than $7 million.

Mediterra’s on-site amenities include themed neighborhood parks; eight miles of walking and jogging trails; a fitness complex with bocce courts, a pool, spa; and a world-class tennis program.

“Mediterra was the first to ever host a USTA-sanctioned Tiebreak Tournament last summer. Since then, the best of three, 10-point tie-break format has rapidly gained popularity around the state,” said Mike Baldwin, Mediterra’s USPTA director of tennis. “This type of tournament is really fun and guarantees that each player will have at least two matches. Players also appreciate the convenience of a one-day tournament rather than a weekend tournament with incurred travel and hotel expenses.”


 

Israel Sports Exchange (ISE)
(973) 952-0405 ♦ 
Israel-Sports-Exchange.com
An all-expense paid trip for varsity level high school tennis players to train, compete and travel to Israel this summer (mid-July to early-August).

The program
This once in a lifetime program, under the direction of Larry Seidman and Yuval Higger, is a high-level sports training program for varsity level American tennis players (ages 17-19 years old). Yuval has coached Gilad Bloom, Harel Levy and Shahar Peer, all world-ranked players. Adult chaperones accompany the participants during all phases of the program. Every precaution will be taken to ensure that the participants are free to have fun in a safe and wholesome environment. The participants will train, tour and live with host families.

“I can say with confidence that ISE is superior to any Israeli touring organization. It combines interacting with Israeli teens through touring and serious training,” a past participant states.

Experience life like an Israeli
The program combines intensive training, competition, touring and home hospitality. Home hospitality is an important element of the program, as it enriches the cultural and social experience. Each participant will have significant interaction with Israeli teens and their families.

Join ISE
There is no cost for ISE. The Israeli Sports Exchange sponsoring includes: Round-trip airfare between Israel and JFK/Newark, lodging, meals, sports instruction, touring fees, and admission to special events and museums.

ISE is an unbelievable experience that fills your days learning about Israel, while playing the game you love. You will leave this experience with an improved tennis game, a new love for Israel and everlasting friendships.

For more information, contact Larry Seidman at (973) 952-0405 or e-mail lbseidman@msn.com or visit Israel-Sports-Exchange.com.


 

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel
(808) 882-5420 ♦ 
MaunaKeaBeachHotel.com
What makes Mauna Kea a “Top Tennis Destination?”
The legendary Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, an architectural icon designed to coexist beautifully with the unforgettable landscape of the Kohala Coast, is located on a silky white-sand crescent beach, Kauna’oa Bay. Escape to paradise where you will find 252 luxurious guest rooms, Laurance S. Rockefeller’s private collection of Asian and Pacific artwork, impeccable service, one of the world’s finest golf courses and tennis club plus tantalizing cuisine with unforgettable settings.

The 11-court Seaside Tennis Club is one of the largest and most sought-after tennis experiences in Hawaii. Each one of the 11 courts offer an incredible view of the Pacific Blue Ocean, and on a clear day, you can see Maui in the background. Craig Pautler and his team serve up some of the most thoughtful touches available at the best private luxury tennis clubs, as well as lessons and daily clinics, round-robin tourneys, and a comfortable lanai to relax in the shade.

Tennis Resorts and World's Top 100 Resorts, Tennis Resorts & Camps–Tennis Resorts Online and Top 10 Resorts in the U.S. (bi-annual)-Tennis Magazine.

Facilities and services include 11 ocean side tennis courts, a pro shop offering equipment and apparel, equipment rentals, men and women locker rooms, video instruction service, ball machine, tournament planning, racquet stringing, individual game-matching, customized special events, tennis clinics, round robin tournaments, private and group lessons.

Enjoy the many other amenities offered at the resort like the weekly Lu’au and Clambake, 2,500-square-foot fitness room and spa just to mention a few. Enjoy some private time at this world-class resort, improve your tennis game while taking in some of the most incredible views in the world and create memories that will be treasured for a lifetime. As the resort’s 50th anniversary, celebrated throughout 2015, concludes, Mauna Kea’s timeless magic endures. Visit TimelessMaunaKea.com for details.

The Club is open 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. daily, and can be reached at (808) 882-5420 or by visiting MaunaKeaBeachHotel.com.


 

Palm Island Resort
(800) 824-5412 ♦ 
PalmIsland.com
Palm Island Resort in Cape Haze, Fla. sets the standard for Southwest Florida’s family of Coastal Island Communities. Villas, cottages and private homes are available for vacation or staycation island visitors. Guests arrive by car ferry and drive a short distance to the resort’s main parking area. Come by boat if you like, since Palm Island Resort offers rental slips too.

Palm Island Resort offers both “Go” and “Slow” activities, based on your preferred level of outdoor activity or relaxation. One of the options with Palm Island Go is, of course, tennis. The resort tennis program includes unlimited complimentary play, a complimentary round robin every Saturday, and affordable clinics for both adults and kids. During holiday weekends, the round-robin is geared more toward family play for those of all ages.

In addition to the 11 hard tennis courts available at no charge, a tennis pro shop and equipment rentals are also available. Palm Island Resort even has an on-site tennis pro—Bill Longua—who is available to teach clinics and private lessons. Bill attended Iona College in New Rochelle, N.Y. on a tennis scholarship, and you can view his tips and tricks at OnlineTennisTraining.com.

If tennis draws you to Palm Island Resort, it won’t be the only thing keeping you there. Activities like kayaking through the mangroves on a guided tour, bicycle trails, and off-shore and back water fishing are available to ensure that your stay at Palm Island Resort is tailored to your needs.

Come visit and see for yourself why Palm Island offers one of Florida’s premier island experiences. For more information about Palm Island Resort, call (800) 824-5412 or visit PalmIsland.com.


 

Peter Kaplan's Westhampton Beach Junior/Adult Tennis Academy
(631) 288-4021 ♦ (914) 234-9462 
peterkaplan2002@yahoo.com
 WestHamptonBeachTennis.com
Peter Kaplan’s Westhampton Beach Junior/Adult Tennis Academy, and the affiliated Grassmere Inn, is a wonderful destination for beginners to nationally-ranked players of all ages. Private instruction, clinics, one to seven full- and half-day camps are offered. The flexibility of the programming enables participants to enjoy the nearby beautiful ocean beaches, charming village, Performing Arts Center, movie theatre, wine country, shopping, cafes, restaurants and nearby water park. Peter Kaplan, an attorney, former New York State tennis champion and a Cornell University graduate, is on-site daily.

Resident students/families/teams stay at the historic, newly-renovated and highly-honored Grassmere Inn, located on quiet, tree-lined Beach Lane Fifty yards from the beginning of the charming village, yet less than one mile from a beautiful ocean beach. The location could not be better. The Grassmere's 22 guest rooms all have air conditioning, WiFi, cable TV and private bathrooms. Ideal for families, are two suites or interconnected rooms. A delicious breakfast of fresh muffins, bagels, cereal, fruit, juice, coffee, tea, milk and yogurt is included daily.

The Tennis Academy is a teaching center, featuring 12 soft courts. Participants have come from over 25 countries and 30 states since 2000. The Academy features an enthusiastic staff, renowned for its high-quality instruction with an average student/staff ratio of 2:1.

Thirty-five Japanese juniors have been coming for three weeks annually, for the last eight years, for a very intensive program. Most participants seek a less intensive program of three to five hours of instruction daily. The staff is always accommodating and tailors programs to fit the needs of the customer. Frequently, an adult team will come at the beginning of the season and return for a family vacation. Visiting tennis pros bring students with Kaplan's staff available to supplement the pro. The groups always have an incredible time, some having returned for 10 consecutive years. Tennis during the day, the beach, perhaps a glass of wine at sunset, and then dining at a great restaurant, a movie or a show at the Performing Arts Center. Occasionally, guests are coaxed into karaoke with the international staff!


 

Tennis Fantasies With John Newcombe and The Legends
Contact Steve Contardi: (800) 874-7788 ♦ stevec@towneproperties.com

TennisFantasties.net
Enjoy the best tennis vacation of your life! Tennis Fantasies with John Newcombe and the Legends, the Original Tennis Fantasy Camp, is your chance to play tennis and rub shoulders with the all-time greats of the game. Join host three-time Wimbledon Champion John Newcombe and his "mates" at the John Newcombe Tennis Ranch in New Braunfels, Texas for this most memorable tennis event.

The legendary staff will include International Tennis Hall of Fame Members John Newcombe, Roy Emerson, Fred Stolle, Owen Davidson, Mark Woodforde and Charlie Pasarell, as well as Grand Slam winners Ross Case, Marty Riessen, Dick Stockton, Brian Gottfried, Rick Leach and The Jensen Brothers, Murphy and Luke. Together, more than 150 Grand Slam titles and hundreds of other major championships! Learn, play and mingle with tennis royalty.

Tennis Fantasies 2016 offers two great programs:

►March 3-6, 2016: Tennis Fantasies for Men and Women
►October 16-21, 2016: Tennis Fantasies, Men Only

On-court activities include clinics, team competition, and "fantasy" pro-am matches. After tennis, guests will enjoy the "Aussie-style" hospitality of the John Newcombe Tennis Ranch.

The John Newcombe Tennis Ranch is located just outside of New Braunfels in the rolling Hill Country of central Texas, 30 minutes from the San Antonio airport. The climate is fresh and beautiful, the Hills are green and wooded, and the people are friendly. The crystal clear water of Canyon Lake, the Guadalupe River, and the Comal River are just minutes from the Ranch. The pace is easy and the dress is casual.

Accommodations at the John Newcombe Tennis Ranch are one or two bedroom condominiums or a court-side room. The Ranch has 28 deco-turf and four Har-Tru courts, eight lighted and four all-weather covered courts guaranteed tennis every day.

You don't want to miss this magical tennis adventure. Join John Newcombe and his "mates" for the best tennis vacation of your life!


 

Topnotch Resort
(800) 451-8686 ♦ 
TopnotchResort.com
Set within 120 acres of woodland at the foot of Mount Mansfield in the village of Stowe, Vt., Topnotch Resort blends the gracious charm of a ski lodge with the luxurious amenities of a world-class resort. The boutique resort offers 68 guest rooms, two restaurants, indoor and outdoor pools, tennis center, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and a 35,000-square-foot spa. Additional accommodations can be found in a variety of resort homes.\

Surrounded by Vermont’s legendary Green Mountains, Topnotch Resort provides travelers with a four-season, luxury New England retreat with skiing, snowmobiling, hiking, fishing, canoeing, swimming, biking, paddle-boarding, golfing and more all nearby. The Tennis Center at Topnotch is open year-round, featuring six outdoor courts—all with stunning mountain views—and four indoor hard courts, offering winter guests the optimal ski and tennis experience.

The Tennis Center at Topnotch, an official partner of Adidas, is consistently ranked number one in the Northeast, and one of the “Top 25 Tennis Resorts” by Tennis Resorts Online. The Resort’s top-rated Tennis Academy offers more than 30 programs for all ages and levels of play, including a full lineup of lessons, clinics, private instruction, and the newest tennis technologies, such as Dartfish and iPlaymate, led by seasoned pros including Tennis Director Milan Kubala. Designed to leave guests feeling a sense of ultimate achievement and advancement in their game, Topnotch Tennis’ “Play to Win” teaching philosophy provides students an edge in all three critical areas of tennis—strategy, technique and footwork. A Junior Academy for kids, ages five through 14 is also available.


Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
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