The Alternative Press

The sun is out and the temperature is rising. Looking to get outside and get your metabolism working again?  Want to hone your tennis skills, meet new players and share the excitement of the game on authentic red clay courts?  2012 promises to be a banner year for Berkeley Tennis Club, says Michael Winds, president of the Club. “We have members at all levels of play and from all walks of life. We are the indisputably the friendliest Club in the neighborhood.

“Berkeley is a complete tennis experience,” says Winds. “Members have the opportunity to play for the sake of play, just for exercise, or a new passion. For the competitor we have a club team and ladder, and an end-of-the-year tournament.  Join us and pick up a game – singles or doubles, morning, afternoon or evening – or arrange your own games.  Or socialize during an open house or party.”

But don’t take my word for it, continues Winds.  “Watch us at play during an afternoon at the Club on YouTube at ">.”

Even better, join us and play at our first open house of the season on Saturday, May 5 from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm (rain date: Sunday). 

Founded in 1917, the Berkeley Tennis Club is an historic member-owned outdoor tennis club in the suburban Seven Oaks section of Orange in Essex County, New Jersey, thirty minutes from Manhattan.  Members hail as well from the nearby communities of South Orange, Maplewood, West Orange, Livingston and Millburn. 

One of the few remaining tennis facilities with red clay courts, Berkeley’s six courts are meticulously maintained and open daily, weather permitting, from mid-April to the end of October. The red clay is similar to the historic courts of Paris’ Roland Garros, home to the French Open. The surface is particularly easy on aging knees and ankles.

Berkeley is moderately priced, friendly and diverse and organizes a variety of events such as round robins, evening “Heavy Hitters,” singles ladders, tournaments, open houses and special events like “Breakfast at Wimbledon” and movie nights.  Members also have use of a guest coupon book.

Jean Bernard Kitio-Kitio, the pro on premises, is available for a variety of lessons and clinics.  A former teaching pro at the Ivan Lendl Tennis Academy in Canada, he knows a great deal about tennis and loves to impart his knowledge.

Dues for the 2012 season for returning members remain $550 (+ 7% tax) bringing the total to $585.00.  Dues for new members are $425 + 7% tax, or $454.75.  Young adults ages 21-25 will pay $300 + 7% tax, or $321. All prices include children under 21.

 “The Berkeley Tennis Club is a hidden jewel,” says Winds. “To have the opportunity to play on red clay at an affordable rate in a central location is unique. With a loyal membership and the addition of new members each year, Berkeley will continue to provide first rate tennis to the dedicated enthusiast.”

Berkeley Tennis Club is located at 311 Tremont Place, Orange, NJ 07050 (973-676-4859). For more information please visit www.berkeleytennis.com or contact berkeleyten@gmail.com.  

Did you know? The Club’s deed was recorded on June 30, 1917, when racquets were wooden with gut strings and other tennis clubs – unlike Berkeley - were restricted.  Berkeley’s distinguished history includes serving as a training site for the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills, NY.   Many of the top tennis players from the 1920s through the 1950s came to Berkeley to visit, instruct or compete -- including Jack Kramer, Bobby Riggs, Tony Trabert, Bill Talbert, Vic Seixas, Frank Kovacs, Frank Guernsey, Hamilton Richardson, J. Edgar Palty, Gardner Mulloy,  John Van Ryn, Weller Evans, Bill Tilden, William Donald McNeill, Jack Kramer, Dick Savitt, Pancho Segura, Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe.