Tennis

HIGHLAND PARK TENNIS CLUB

Thomas F. Otley and Eldred P. Bentley, tennis enthusiasts and members of the Highland Park Association organized the Highland Park Tennis Club in 1920. Nestled in the trees behind the prime dune off of Beechwood Lane the court was completed in 1922. It was the only tennis court in the area and was particularly popular since the trees offered a cool, protected, picturesque setting. With help from Leon Hamburger, Bentley and Otley recruited members from the local cottages to pay the cost of constructing the court and installing a high fence and locked gate for protection. In 1927 a new tennis court was added and the old one resurfaced. Otley was the active director.

In the beginning tournaments were confined to members but when the additional court was completed invitations were extended to several open tournaments. Otley offered a cup for the winner of the members (under 18) junior tourney. The cup was first presented in 1927 to Bob Lynd of Grand Rapids. The tournament continued for 10 years through 1937.

This tennis classic reached its peak in 1931 when it was declared the third ranking meet of its kind in the country. Twelve of the first ranking 20 juniors competed here. The tournament in Highland Park was planned for the week before the Western Junior championships held at Culver Military Academy. It was later moved to Kalamazoo. A list of players in the 1937 Labor Day matches included Baxter Woodman, George Stone, Leonard Verdier, Paul Parks, and Geraldine Schaddelee. Others devoting time and energy to the courts were Miller Sherwood, Julian Hatton, Harold Scholtz, and Paul Boyink. WW II and the death of Otley prompted a phase out until 1949 when Tom Otley Jr. and veteran tennis pro Joe Zeimet revived the event until it was again dropped after 1952.

Use of the courts is restricted to
members of the tennis club and their guests.

Noteworthy tennis players included 16 year old Bobby Riggs and Don Budge. Gene Mako, Hal Surface, Jay Cohn, Bill Talbert and Seymour Greenberg went on to star on senior teams. Many were on the Davis Cup team. John Sahratian (Detroit) won in 1949, Jack Frost (California) in 1950 and William Quil1ian (Seattle) in 1951.

The courts were neglected after the death of Tom Otley, Sr. and the loss of the lease for the property. In 1952 the club was reincorporated with Miller Sherwood president, Leonard Verdier, Jr., secretary, Tom Otley, Jr. director and Zeimet (who owned a sports store with Hoby Bell), resident agent. In 1984 two plaques memorializing Tom Otley, Sr. and Eldred Bentley were saved from a crumbling wall at the courts, restored and put on exhibit at the Tri-Cities Museum. Resurfacing and the formation of a new club took place in 1988.

Click here for information about tennis lessons
from HPA resident Tennis Pro, Don Trumbull

1999 marks completion of the latest restoration and resurfacing project headed by Joe Finnegan and Bill Weideman. It was celebrated on August 14th of that year by holding the inaugural “Otley Memorial Tournament” in honor of the founder of the HPTC, Thomas Otley, Jr.; the founder’s son was in attendance as were Paul Parks, Hock Schultz and dignitaries representing Grand Haven and Spring Lake.

Tournament participants were the #1 boys and girls singles players from Grand Haven and Spring Lake. The tournament has continued each year, with Spring Lake winning in 1999 and 2007, and Grand Haven winning in 2000 through 2006.

Any member of the Highland Park Association can join the Tennis Club. Contact Board member Ted Poulton – 846-7860, or Jim Mathews – 846-2227. Initiation fee is $1,000 and annual dues are $75.

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