P L AY
HAMPT N C URTS
Ready to up your tennis game this summer? Whether you’re looking for serious tournament play, old-money clubs, or a fun camp for the kids, the Hamptons has a match for you. BY ABBY TEGNELIA TENNIS CLUB
NOTABLE TEACHERS
EXCLUSIVITY
27TENNIS Amagansett 27tennis.com
Owner (and former comedian) Neal Feinberg was the head pro at Yorkville Tennis Club and has coached numerous ranked USTA players.
No blue blood required—it’s open to the public.
THE MEADOW CLUB OF SOUTHAMPTON meadowclubsouthampton.com
Though they’re too discreet to name-drop, the Hamptons’ grandest grand dames fine-tune their backhands with the finest instructors.
Even being married to a member doesn’t guarantee admission.
BUCKSKILL TENNIS CLUB East Hampton buckskilltennis.com
Head pro Anett Ferenczi-Bako played tennis in college, and has extensive coaching experience, most recently at Wagner College.
Social, relaxed club, but with limited memberships.
SOUTHAMPTON BATH & TENNIS CLUB sbtclub.com
Jonathan Klampe is a USPTA Elite Professional and a European Registry of Tennis Professionals National Master Pro Tennis Coach.
Lots of Social Register types, but it’s more open than Meadow Club.
EAST HAMPTON INDOOR TENNIS (EHIT) ehit.club
It takes a 21-strong team, including Dennis Ferrando, youth program director, and Lisa Jones, adult clinic director, to teach all of EHIT’s programs.
EHIT has the widest variety of memberships for ages 4 and up.
TRIANGLE TENNIS CLUB Southampton triangletennis.com
Head Pro Damon Lopez-O’Dwyer has 20plus years of experience at top New York clubs and at England’s Cambridge Lawn Tennis Club.
Seasonal memberships, plus court rentals are open to nonmembers.
HAMPTON RACQUET East Hampton hamptonracquet. com
After learning to play on NYC’s public courts, Executive Director John Graham has taught for more than 30 years, with a focus on the littles.
Three tiers of family, couple and individual membership options.
162
COURTS
SIGNATURE EVENT
FUN FACT
4 Har-Tru, 1 AstroTurf
Adidas Junior Tennis Camp
Aside from the owner, it has the only all-female pro staff in the Hamptons.
4 grass
Its famed (what else?) Lobster Night
It is so elite that you have to be a member to even log onto their website. Brooke Shields made headlines last year just by daring to apply.
3 natural grass, 6 Har-Tru, 1 DecoTurf
Friday night margarita mixers
During the winter months, Buckskill offers public ice-skating, plus figure skating and hockey programs.
6 clay
The endof-season beachside party
This posh club is known for its delicious food, such as its famous whole-wheat pizza topped with figs.
6 Har-Tru indoor, 20 Har-Tru outdoor, 2 platform tennis
Anything at its new state-ofthe-art clubhouse
The brand-new clubhouse offers mini golf, a sports bar, bocce ball courts, fire pits and an arcade in addition to the much-hyped 10-lane bowling alley.
2 Har-Tru, 1 DecoTurf
Adult, junior and peewee clinics
Pro Ron Ristroph has the magic touch when it comes to celeb clients, who include Bill and Melinda Gates and The Police’s Andy Summers.
13 clay, plus 4 reserved for juniors
Vino and Volleys
Head pro Kevin McConville just finished his first year coaching the boys tennis team (league champs!) at East Hampton High.