Holding Court

Ask 10 tennis pros what the secret to playing a good game is and you’ll get 10 different answers: the correct grip, the right shoes, the proper racket, the best strings, etc. But what they all neglect to say is that having a court to play on is really the most important thing. That regular place you’ve staked out, the court you know you can be sure is open for a lunch-hour rally or an all-morning match.

To eliminate most of the guesswork of when to play where, we’ve compiled a list of courts in the Dallas area from municipal to exclusive. Whether your pocketbook is overflowing or undernourished, check this rundown of available courts. It’s to your advantage.



Public Courts



Dallas

The City of Dallas has 199 public tennis courts (144 lighted) located in 69 parks scattered throughout the city. The courts may be reserved free of charge for hour and a half periods from 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. seven days a week. For reservations, call one day ahead from 7 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. daily except Sunday. (Call Saturday for Sunday and Monday.)

The three numbers to call for courts in different sections of the city are:

Northeast Dallas: 428-1501 (Fair Park – Central Athletic Office) for 63 courts (55 lighted) in 27 parks. Twenty-two of these open till midnight.

Northwest Dallas: 387-1123 (Fretz Park) for 20 courts (all lighted) in eight parks. Oak Cliff: 330-0301 (Kiest Park) for 70 courts (39 lighted) in 30 parks (all courts south of 1-20 including some in Pleasant Grove).



Dallas has three tennis centers with separate reservation numbers that offer tennis lessons, leagues and tournaments:



Samuell Grand Tennis Center, 6200 E. Grand, 821-3811. The 20 outdoor lighted courts with cloth nets are open seven days a week and may be reserved from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. For reservations, call the day before from 8:15 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Court fees for hour and a half playing periods are $1 per court until 6 p.m. and $2 per court after 6 p.m. A card good for one year of play may be purchased for $60 for a family, $35 for a single adult, and $15 for a junior under 18.

Samuell Grand’s broad tennis program includes 9-to-12-week leagues year-round with open tryouts four times a year, tournaments once a month, and city tournaments for juniors and adults several times a year. Lessons are available all year and there are junior development programs in the summer.

Facilities include a recreation center with a gym, game room, pro shop, locker rooms and cold drink machines.

Fretz Park Tennis Center, Belt Line and Hillcrest in Dallas, 387-1296. Ten lighted courts with cloth nets open 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. seven days a week. Call for reservations a day in advance. Court fees: $1 daytime, $2 after 6 p.m. The center holds lessons, leagues, clinics, and a junior development program.

Facilities: pro shop, ball machine, no bathrooms.

Kiest Park Tennis Center, 3012 S. Hampton in Oak Cliff, 337-0330. Clubhouse is a small recreation center with bathroom facilities, cold drink machines and an athletic office. Kiest Park has a total of 16 courts; eight lighted courts are adjacent to the clubhouse and are used for lessons and leagues. Courts open 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. seven days a week. Reservations office open Monday through Saturday 7 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Closed Sundays. Call 330-0301 for reservations one day in advance. No charge for use of courts.



The 16 high schools in the Dallas Independent School District all have two or more tennis courts, none lighted, with permanent metal nets. Some middle schools have tennis facilities as simple as nets put up on blacktop playing surfaces. Some elementary schools adjoin park facilities which have tennis courts that can be reserved through the City of Dallas. The DISD courts are available, at no charge, to the general public on a first come, first served basis during the summer and after 5:30 p.m. during the school year.



Park Cities



Highland Park residents apply in person for a tennis permit at Highland Park Town Hall. $7.50 adult, $2 eleven and under. With permit, entitled to one guest.

University Park residents and SMU students apply in person or by mail to City of University Park, 3800 University, Dallas, 75205, for $1 permit, good for one year.



Suburbs



Carrollton has 11 tennis courts (six lighted) at four parks, R.L. Turner High School and DeWitt Perry Junior High. For scheduled classes and activities, call the Carroll-ton Recreation Center at 242-3486.



Farmers Branch provides 18 outdoor tennis courts, including two due to be completed in October. Ten are lighted. No reservations are required and no fees are charged, but you should be a Farmers Branch resident. For information, call the Park Department at 247-3131.



Garland Tennis Center in Rick Oden Park, Miller and Glenbrook Roads, Garland, 271-1211, has a pro and 14 outdoor courts (eight lighted). Not limited to Garland residents. For reservations, call in advance. Court fees (1 1/2 hour sessions): Non-peak hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays) 17 and under, 25￠; adult, 50￠. Peak hours (5 to 11 p.m. weekdays and all day weekends and holidays) 90C singles and 75￠ doubles. The tennis center offers lessons to adults, a junior development program and has leagues, ladders and tournaments going on all the time.

Other courts in Garland include 16 new courts (eight lighted) built on eight middle school sites which are available to residents after school hours, and four lighted courts at Central Park, Ave. F and Garland Road. No reservations or fees.



Irving has 34 lighted courts, most located at three high schools (open to the public starting at 6 p.m. school days, all day during weekends and vacations) plus 10 in city parks available seven days a week. No court fees, but reservations may be made three days in advance by calling 253-5556.

The Irving Tennis Association, together with the City of Irving, co-sponsors leagues and tournaments. Under the direction of the City of Irving, the four recreation centers organize leagues, ladders and tournaments and offer lessons in the spring and summer:

Lee Park Recreation Center, 3000 Pamela Drive, 253-2508.

Lamar Recreation Center, 219 Crandall, 253-2478.

Northwest Recreation Center, 2800 Cheyenne, 253-2529.

Senter Recreation Center, 900 S. Senter Road, 253-2641.

Mesquite has the Westlake Tennis Center in Westlake Park, Gross Road and LBJ, 288-8701. The center includes a pro shop, six lighted courts and plans for 12 more. Reservations two days in advance. Fees: 90c singles, 75C doubles, age 18 and over; 60C singles, 50
There are 50 public courts (13 lighted) in Mesquite at 17 city parks, Eastfield College, three high schools and some junior highs and elementary schools. The courts are open seven days a week, but those on school grounds are not available to the public until 4:30 p.m. on school days. Courts at most schools may be reserved two days ahead by calling the tennis center.

Piano offers tennis lessons to elementary age children through adult, a junior tennis program for ages 9 to 15 and tennis leagues and ladders for adults, all coordinated through the Parks and Recreation Department, 423-4795.

There are 22 lighted courts on various school campuses that are available evenings, weekends and every day in the summer, primarily to Piano residents. Reservations are required for the eight courts on the Piano High School campus, 50c for 1M2 hours. Call the Park Department.



Richardson Tennis Center in Huffhines Park, 1601 Syracuse, 234-6697, has eight lighted courts and a large pro shop, showers, lockers and cold drink vending machines. Call for reservations one day in advance. Court fees (IV2 hours): 90C a person for a resident, $1.80 for a non-resident.

There are 14 courts (eight lighted) in seven different parks, available on a first come, first served basis. Call the Park Department at 231-4624 for locations. Three high schools and three junior highs within the city limits have a minimum of two courts each that are open to the public on a drop-in basis when not in use for scheduled school or city activities.



Tennis Clubs



Centre Tennis Club, 900 St. Paul Drive, Richardson (near Spring Valley and Central Expressway), 234-5000. Twelve lighted outdoor courts, five covered indoor courts, six handball/racquetball courts. Open 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, 4 to 10:30 p.m. Monday. Members only. Reserved indoor court charges (for 1V2 hours) $2 before 4 p.m., $4 evenings and weekends. Walk-on rates: $1 during week, $2 on weekends. Guest fees: daytime – $1.50 outdoor, $2 indoor. $3 nights and weekends.

Facilities: clubhouse with sauna, whirlpool, locker rooms, nursery, pro shop, restaurant/bar. A 75-foot swimming pool with swimming program headed by Olympic gold medalist Jerry Heidenreich.

Limited to 680 members. Memberships transferable. Family and corporate: $600 initiation and $40 monthly dues. Single: $300 initiation and $20 dues.

Centre Tennis Club of Arlington, 2011 Lincoln Drive, 469-9393, is almost a carbon copy of the Richardson facility. The only differences are one fewer covered indoor court, no whirlpool, no charge for indoor courts and lower rates. Limited to 600 tennis members, family memberships are $450 initiation and $45 monthly dues. Single: $225 initiation and $22.50 a month. Memberships are reciprocal at both clubs.

In wood Racquet Club, 14800 Inwood Road, 233-9131. Four air-conditioned indoor courts, six lighted outdoor courts. Open 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. seven days a week. Indoor court fees (1V2 hours): $4 weekdays, $6 after 4 p.m. and week ends. Guest fees: $4 inside, $2 outside.

Facilities: clubhouse with pro shop, ping pong room, snack restaurant/bar, locker rooms and showers, men’s sauna, two rac-quetball/handball courts, two squash courts.

Tennis membership fees: single – $550 initiation and $30 a month. Couple – $650 initiation and $35 a month. Family – $700 initiation and $40 a month. Racquetball and squash memberships also available. For the use of all facilities, add $200 to initiation fee and $10 a month to dues.

North Dallas Racquet Club, 5769 Belt Line Road, 233-2955. Twelve lighted outdoor courts and two practice courts. Open 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Guest fees: $2 days, $3 nights and weekends.

Facilities: clubhouse with restaurant/lounge, pro shop, staffed nursery, showers, saunas, outdoor swimming pool.

Membership limited to 350. Fees: $300 initiation and $35 a month for a family, $100 initiation and $12 a month social membership for use of everything except courts.

The Racquet Club, 5000 Racquet Club Drive, Arlington, 469-7131. Ten outdoor courts (four lighted) open 9 a.m. to midnight seven days a week. (Clubhouse and pool closed Monday.) Guest fee: $2.

Facilities: clubhouse with dining room, bar, pro shop, teen room; swimming pool, playground area.

Club holds several tournaments a month for adults and juniors, parties at night with live entertainment, leagues, junior ladder, lessons to members and public.

Membership: $750 to join, for a family, and $40 a month. Limited to 300 members. The Racquet Club at Old Vickery Square, off Greenville on Park Lane, 363-3591. Four lighted outdoor courts, ball machine, plans for two enclosed and two more outdoor courts in six months. Clubhouse with pro shop, bar, sandwiches and entertainment, sauna, locker rooms, small exercise room.

Courts open seven days a week 8 a.m. to 12 midnight. Guest fees: $2 weekdays, $2.50 weekends. Monthly tournaments, challenge ladders, lessons to members and general public.

Strictly for singles and married couples. Membership limited to 180 now; will add 45 members per new court. Dues: single – $100 initiation, $250 yearly dues. Couple – $150 initiation, $350 yearly dues.

T-Bar-M Racquet Club, 6060 Dilbeck, 233-4444. 20 outdoor courts (eight lighted) and eight indoor air-conditioned courts. Open 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Indoor court fees (1VI2 hour periods): prime time (evenings and weekends), $10. Weekdays till 4:30 and evenings after 7:30 p.m., $8. Guest fees: $5 inside, $3 outside.

Facilities: large clubhouse with restaurant/bar, full tennis shop, teen-age room, locker rooms, exercise rooms and outdoor swimming pool.

Membership limited to 500 families. Call for rates, once quoted as $6,000 family and $3,000 single plus $45 monthly dues, they have been offering limited “replacement” memberships at $2,000 as long as they last.



Country Clubs



Most Dallas country clubs offer a tennis or social membership for lesser dues which includes all privileges except golf.

Bent Tree Country Club, 5201 Westgrove in Addison, 233-7908. Bud Guion, head pro. Four air-conditioned indoor courts, 10 outdoor lighted courts. Open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day but Monday. Indoor court fees: $8 for an hour and a half. Guest fees: $2 weekdays, $3 weekends. Tournament every three weeks. Three major leagues a year for women and men. Continuing ladders.

Facilities: handsome tennis building with pro shop, four indoor courts, locker rooms, showers. Elegant main clubhouse with two large dining rooms, 19th Hole, four hand-ball/racquetball courts, two bars, two private meeting rooms, locker rooms with whirlpools and exercise rooms, swimming pool, 18-hole golf course.

Tennis membership: $7,500 initiation and $85 monthly dues includes all facilities except golf.

Brook Hollow Golf Club, 8301 Harry Hines Blvd., tennis shop 637-4440. Butch Newman, head pro. Twelve outdoor courts, six lighted. Open Tuesday through Sunday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Guest fees: Weekdays – $2.50 adults, $1.25 kids. Weekends – $4 adults, $2 kids. Tournament average of once a month. Participates in Dallas Junior Tennis League six times a year with other Dallas country clubs. Three leagues a year for women. No men’s leagues. Continuing ladder for all ages.

Faculties: tennis shop with pro shop and dressing rooms. Main club with dining room, 19th Hole, several bars, small card rooms, large banquet room, grill, Lanai Room, swimming pool, 18-hole golf course.

Social membership includes everything but golf and voting. $6,000 initiation and $85 monthly dues. Junior memberships: age 21-25, $1,000 initiation and $42.50 dues; age 26-30, $1,000 initiation and $85 dues.

Brookhaven Country Club, 3333 Golfing Green Drive, tennis shop 247-7108. Mike Amador, head pro. Twenty-five courts including 17 lighted outdoor courts and eight covered indoor courts plus one small singles practice court indoors. Sixteen courts under construction including eight air-conditioned indoor courts. Courts open 6:30 a.m. to midnight Tuesday through Sunday, noon till 10 p.m. Monday. Tennis shop open 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. six days a week and noon till 10 p.m. Monday. Indoor court fees: $3 before 4 p.m., $6 after 4 p.m. Guest fees: indoor – $5. Outdoor – $2 before 4 p.m., $3 after 4 p.m. Women’s and men’s leagues four times a year plus career women’s leagues in the evening. Junior development year round. Continuing challenge ladders for all ages.

Facilities: tennis shop with pro shop and upstairs Court Room for drinks and snacks. Under construction: large pro shop with grill, handball/racquetball courts. Main clubhouse with dining room, grill, golf shop, 19th Hole, card room, bar/lounge, five swimming pools, three 18-hole golf courses.

Tennis membership: $300 initiation and $30 monthly dues includes everything except golf. Two-month waiting list in effect. Canyon Creek Country Club, 625 Lookout, Richardson, tennis shop 231-2881. Jeff Myers, head pro. Seventeen lighted outdoor courts, plans for seven more. Open 8:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day except Tuesday. Five pay courts – $1 an hour for the court, up to two hours – may be reserved one week in advance. Guest fees: $1 weekdays, $2 weekends and holidays. Monthly tournaments for members, four leagues a year, continuing ladders.

Facilities: clubhouse with dining room, cocktail lounge, two grill room areas, locker rooms for men and women: 18-hole golf course, three swimming pools. Pro shop to be completed in mid-September.

Social membership for a family, including all privileges except golf, is $400 initiation and $30.70 monthly dues.

Columbian Country Club of Dallas, 2525 Country Club Drive, Carrollton, tennis shop 242-2188. Six outdoor courts, four lighted. Two air-conditioned indoor courts. Open 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily except Monday. Tournaments several times a month. Leagues during school months. Continuing ladders.

Indoor court fee: $4 an hour weekdays; weekends $6. Guest fees: Indoors – $4 per !u?t weekdays, $6 per guest weekends. Outdoors – $4 weekends, $2.50 weekdays.

Facilities: tennis clubhouse with locker rooms, showers, pro shop, lounge area. Clubhouse with dining room, pub, ballroom, women’s and men’s clubrooms, teen room! grill, lounge, bar, swimming pool, 18-hole golf course.

Membership (no tennis or social membership offered): Over age 35 – $7,000 initiation plus purchase of $2,000 stock. $3,400 total down payment. $78.50 monthly dues plus annual assessment of about $264. For every age under 35, there is a different initiation fee. For example, for age 23 it’s $1,000 initiation fee with the obligation to purchase stock at age 35 and $38 monthly dues. Nonresident and associate (single) memberships also available.

Dallas Athletic Club Country Club, 4111 Bames Bridge Road, tennis shop 279-1549. Robert Rumble, pro. Eight outdoor courts, six lighted. (In process of redoing four courts.) Open 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily except Monday. Guest fees: $2 weekdays, $3 weekends. Special tournaments about six times a year. Club championships in September. Women’s leagues year round. Men’s doubles spring and fall, singles summer. Children’s leagues summer.

Facilities: downtown athletic club with gym, handball /racquetball courts. Country club tennis shop, showers and locker rooms. Clubhouse with dining room, grill, 19th Hole, locker rooms, Olympic size swimming pool, two 18-hole golf courses.

Social memberships include use of downtown facility and all country club facilities except golf. Age 35 and over: $500 initiation and $55 monthly dues. Junior executives (age 21-34): $300 initiation and $40 dues. Dallas Country Club, 4100 Beverly Drive, 521-2151. Bill Bos, head pro. Fourteen outdoor courts, ten lighted. Open 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Guest fees: $4 weekends and holidays. Weekdays: $2.50 till 4 p.m., $3 after 4 p.m. Juniors, 18 and under: $1.50 weekends, $1 weekdays. A total tennis program with something planned every day of the week.

Facilities: tennis building with pro shop, lockers, showers, men’s sauna, lounge area and bar, food catered by main clubhouse. Clubhouse with dining room, ballroom, private dining rooms, card rooms, bar, women’s and men’s 19th Holes, mixed grill, cocktail lounge, swimming pool and 18-hole golf course.

Social membership for everything except golf has been quoted as $7,500 initiation and $81.50 monthly dues.

Lakewood Country Club, 6430 Gaston at Abrams, 821-1491. No tennis courts or pro yet, but six lighted courts are planned as well as a tennis pro shop. Also planning leagues, ladders and challenge matches tentatively scheduled to begin this fall.

Facilities: swimming pool and snack bar, 18-hole golf course, large golf pro shop. Clubhouse with 19th Hole, mixed grill, locker rooms, men’s grill, women’s luncheon room, card rooms and two large dining rooms.

Tennis memberships available now: (includes access to all facilities) $1,125 initiation for first 100 members and $42 monthly dues.

Las Colinas Country Club, 4900 N. O’Connor Road, Irving, tennis shop 255-9253. Scott Bristol, head pro. Eighteen outdoor courts, fourteen lighted, and four air-conditioned indoor courts. Open 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Indoor court fees: $4 an hour, per court, before 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, $6 an hour after 6 p.m. and weekends and holidays. Guest fees: $3 a person outdoors weekdays, $5 outdoors after 6 p.m. and weekends, $5 indoors. Tournaments at least once a month. Leagues year round for women, men and juniors. Continuing ladders.

Facilities: spacious tennis building with four air-conditioned indoor courts, pro shop, restaurant, bar, lockers and showers, exercise rooms, saunas, whirlpools. Main clubhouse with four dining rooms, 19th Hole for men only, swimming pool, 18-hole golf course.

Racquet membership (all facilities except golf): $1,000 initiation fee and $65 monthly dues ($25 food and beverage minimum). Northwood Club, 6524 Alpha Road, tennis shop 239-3402. Bob Mooty, head pro. Eleven outdoor courts, seven lighted. Open 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily except Monday. Guest fees: $2 weekdays, $4 weekends. Men’s and women’s leagues held spring, fall and winter. Summer: challenge play and inter-club play for juniors. Challenge ladders for all ages.

Facilities: clubhouse with two dining rooms, lockers, showers, 19th Hole, mixed grill, card rooms, private meeting rooms, cocktail lounge, swimming pool and snack bar, 18-hole golf course.

Full membership only, by recommendation of other members: $10,000 initiation and $85 monthly dues.

Oak Cliff Country Club, 2200 W. Red Bird Lane, 331-4336. Jo Aiton, pro. Five lighted outdoor courts. Open 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day but Monday. Guest fees: $2 weekdays, $3 weekends. Active leagues and ladder participation and junior program.

Facilities: separate pro shop, 18-hole golf course, swimming pool, clubhouse with dining room, 19th Hole, mixed grill, formal Mediterranean Room with bar, dining, dancing and live music on weekends, ballroom and card room.

Social membership for everything but golf: $250 initiation and $45 monthly dues plus $30 food and beverage minimum.

Park Valley Country Club, 3502 Country Club Drive, Grand Prairie, 264-6161. Car-mack Berryman, pro. Six daylight outdoor courts. Open seven days a week, light till dark. Guest fee: $2. Year round leagues for women and evening leagues for men and career women from April to October. Two tournaments a month, occasional tournaments for juniors, and junior development summer and fall.

Facilities: two swimming pools, 18-hole golf course, clubhouse with dining room, bar, 19th Hole, snack bar, private meeting rooms, locker rooms with saunas, men’s exercise room.

Tennis membership: no initiation fee, $35 a month for use of all faculties, excluding golf.

Preston wood Country Club, 15909 Preston Road, tennis shop 233-6166. Frank Mitchell, head pro. Six lighted outdoor courts. Open 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily except Monday. Guest fees: $2 weekdays, $3 weekends. Men’s and women’s leagues fall and spring. Mini leagues and junior development program in summer. Challenge ladders for all ages. Mixed doubles tournament once a month, club championships in fall.

Facmties: clubhouse with dining room, banquet room, conference rooms, pro shop for tennis and golf, bar, 19th Hole, snack bar outside, lockers, showers, swimming pool, 18-hole golf course.

Tennis membership, includes everything except golf: $150 initiation and $35 dues. Royal Oaks Country Club, 7915 Greenville Avenue, tennis shop 691-3313. Barry Laing, head pro. Ten outdoor courts, four lighted (hopes to have eight lighted by September). Open 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day. Pro shop closed Mondays. Guest fees: $1.50 weekdays, $2.50 weekends. Spring, summer and fall doubles league for women and men. Ladders for all ages. Club sponsors junior clinics and tennis camps during the summer.

Facilities: clubhouse with mixed grill, main dining room, card room, locker rooms with showers, swimming pool, 18-hole golf course.

Tennis membership (includes everything but golf): $2,000 initiation fee and $50 a month.

Spring Valley Country Club, 5706 Spring Valley Road, tennis shop 239-3265. Brit Coleman, head pro. Ten lighted outdoor courts. Open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Guest fees: $2 days, $3 evenings. Year round leagues for women and mixed doubles, men’s inter-club play during the summer. Only junior development program that accepts non-members, runs year round.

Facilities: separate tennis shop. Clubhouse with two handball/racquetball courts, four swimming pools, snack bar, three dining areas, bar, sauna and weight room.

Tennis membership includes use of all facilities. Usual initiation fee of $500 has been waived temporarily as a special promotion. Pay first and twelfth month dues in advance. Dues: $40 a month for a family, $27.50 for an unmarried member.

Pay for Play

Here are some miscellaneous touts worth a rally or two:

YMCA. Ten of the seventeen branches located throughout the metroplex offer active tennis programs for Y members including youth and adults.

YWCA. Many of the seven YWCA branches offer tennis lessons to adults at city parks throughout the year. Call your neighborhood Y for times and cost of lessons.

SMU offers continuous tennis instruction year round for junior development and adult classes under the direction of John Gardner. Fees: $5 per person for five-person group lessons. Call 692-2664.

Village Tennis Center, 8310 Southwestern, 363-3471, has six lighted courts open to the public. Court fees: $2 for one hour. Reservations one day in advance. Tennis leagues and tournaments open to the public. Two pros teach lessons and clinics for adults and children. Special coupon offer: $75 for five one-hour lessons and five two-hour clinics.

A Lot of Racquet, Olla Podrida on Coit Road, 233-5758, has one air-conditioned indoor court for lessons and six ball machine alleys.

Eastgate Athletic Club, 1753 Plaza Drive, Garland, 279-3629, has two outdoor lighted tennis courts as part of their extensive recreation facilities and programs. Yearly membership for use of all facilities is $225 for a family, $140 single.