Sandestin Tennis Center Offers Quality Instruction, Player Services, Along the Scenic Beaches of Destin, FL

The Sandestin Tennis Center, located within the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Destin, FL, is known as one of the top tennis facilities along the emerald coast. With a fantastic staff of teaching professionals and facilities to match, it’s easy to see why tennis players of all levels travel from all corners of the Southeast to enjoy a wonderful tennis experience alongside Destin’s gorgeous white sand beaches.

In all the years I’ve traveled to the beach communities around Destin, FL, I’ve only played at the Sandestin Tennis Center once. With an invitation from my good friend Tim Sammarco from Memphis, I spent the first weekend in May playing in a men’s tournament and saw first-hand the centers incredible service from their pros and staff.

Our long weekend was filled with three days of non-stop play, yet what impressed me the most was how organized and efficiently the pros and staff directed multiple group and teams events.

The Sandestin Tennis Center has 15 outdoor clay courts, 12 of which are hydro-clay, meaning surface quality and moisture are maintained from a underground system designed to keep an ideal playing surface. The well stocked pro shop, with a nice collection of apparel, racquets, shoes and accessories, is conveniently located in the middle of the complex, as are rest room and locker facilities for men and women.

Teams from Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida and Tennessee competed in our men’s event under the direction of teaching pro Kevin Tucker, while a group of 15 ladies from Ruston, LA, had organized three days of clinics, match play and beach time with the help of Head Teaching Pro, David Brandt.

Ellie Puckett, the leader of the ladies group from Louisiana, was a first time visitor and organized their ladies trip after reading about the Sandestin Tennis Center online.

“We brought a group from Ruston for a girls weekend and are having a great time,” stated Puckett. “Each morning we’ve had a clinic, followed by some match play. The women in our group are mostly from our club back home and play on two different 3.0 USTA teams.”

When I asked Puckett if she and her girlfriends had built in some recovery time after their workouts, she also admitted the beach location may have been a draw.

“Oh yes,” she sheepishly grinned. “After David puts us through a challenging clinic we head to the beach for some fun and sun and then have dinner at one of the best restaurants in Sandestin. All the girls have had a great time and I’m pretty certain we’ll be planning another trip soon.”

In addition to the tournaments and special clinics, the facility also offers clinics Monday-Saturday mornings at 9 a.m. along with two-hour round robin play most Saturday and Sunday mornings starting at 10 a.m. There are additional opportunities to play on holidays.

Julie Liebetreu, an Interior Designer, is a regular member of the Sandestin Tennis Center and she and her family have lived in the area since 1993.

“I’ve love this facility and I’ve been a member here for many years,” Liebetreu said. “The courts, the staff, the pros, they’re all wonderful. I play on several local teams based out of here and the competition and level of play is great. I would highly recommend anyone visiting the area who enjoys tennis come over and play here.”

There is also a player matching service available. If you contact the center and tell the pros your level of play and when you’re available, they’ll work hard to find a competitive singles of doubles match for you.

Think of it as a “match dot com” for resort tennis players.

Todd Hanson, director of tennis at Sandestin Tennis Center, agrees and says their player matching service has always been well received.

“There are many reasons why our tennis facility consistently receives top reviews from players and tennis publications,” said Hanson. “However, I believe the one component that sets us apart is our ability to find quality matches for both our local members and guests who visit each week.”

I can certainly attest to Todd’s comment. After our teams match play ended, my partner Tim and I were looking to play another match Sunday morning. No quicker than we stated such, the pros set us up with two guys from Alabama and Georgia who were visiting and wanted similar play.

If you’re planning a vacation near Destin or along Highway 30A and are looking to keep your tennis skills sharp, I highly recommend you check out tennis facility at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. Todd, David and Kevin, along with other staff members, can definitely make your tennis experience a memorable one.

Here’s how to schedule your next tennis and beach vacation at the Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort:

9300 Emerald Coast Pkwy W
Destin, Florida 32550
(850) 267-7114
www.sandestin.com/tennis

To schedule a group event, contact David at davidbrandt@sandestin.com.