ON COURT WITH CLIFF DRYSDALE

It’s just about time to plan a summer vacation and get out of the house. After a sluggish summer in 2020, this year should prove to be an incredible bounce back moment for all of us to get out and travel once again.

Of course, traveling safely and responsibly remains a priority and luckily, tennis remains one of the best ways to get outside and socialize. Families planning summer travel have a number of options from which to choose, and new in 2021, Cliff Drysdale Tennis (CDT) is creating custom family tennis camp packages to meet the needs of all ages and playing abilities.

Typically, tennis camps are separated into adult camps and junior camps. Adult camps consist of lessons and clinics, while junior camps consist of group instruction and games. This year, traveling to a CDT-managed resort will give families new options to get everyone together on the court. Adults and advanced juniors will play in morning group clinics while younger kids join the summer camp morning session. Additionally, each family member will take a private lesson before joining back up with the whole family for a group lesson and match lay session.

“It can be challenging for a family to really enjoy sharing the court together at first,” said Katie Steck, director of experiences for Cliff Drysdale Tennis. “Sometimes parents are much better players than their kids, or vice versa. What we do is get everyone started by playing with players at their level, and then bring the family together for a group lesson that allows everyone to improve and have fun.”

Summer family camps are fully customizable based on the ages and levels of all players in the family, and can be combined with other traveling families if desired. Once tennis is done for the day, everyone will have plenty of time to enjoy the pool, on and off property restaurants, and many more unique summer activities at each resort.

In the last 12 months, CDT has added three more resort partners, each of which will be offering summer family camps. Newest to the family is Baha Mar, located in Nassau, Bahamas. This resort complex includes three hotels, dozens of on property restaurants, beachfront access, a casino, golf course, and more. The Racquet Club at Baha Mar features six championship hard courts, two har-tru clay courts, and one true grass court. It’s led by director of tennis Jim Tressler.

“I’m really excited about Baha Mar and think it’s one of our most unique destinations,” said Scott Colebourne, chief operating officer of Cliff Drysdale Tennis. “You can take a weeklong trip and never do the same thing twice, there are so many options for families. If you don’t have a summer trip planned, Baha Mar should be at the top of your list.”

Other Atlantic coast properties include in Florida The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne; Hawks Cay Resort; Omni Amelia Island Resort; and Château Élan Winery and Resort in Braselton, Georgia. Looking for a getaway in the northeast? The Inn at Perry Cabin is a seasonal resort with tennis programs active May through October, located across the Chesapeake Bay in St. Michaels, Maryland.

Flying west and trying to find some milder temperatures? Both The Ritz Carlton, Santa Barbara and Omni La Costa Resort and Spa, San Diego, feature impeccable weather, tennis programs, and beach access. And if you’re looking for a weeklong escape to get off the grid and truly unwind, Mauna Lani Resort, Auberge Resorts Collection, provides a luxurious offering along Hawaii Island’s Kohala Coast.

Regardless of where you live, there’s a CDT-managed resort nearby, and this year, bring the whole family for a tennis experience you’ll never forget.

To inquire and book your summer family camp, email Katie Steck at k.steck@cliffdrysdale.com or call (830) 525-5911, ext. 206.