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.
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 Qui11ian
(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.
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 HPTG, 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.
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