Its lowrise architecture and traditional white stucco and barrel tile suggests nothing out of the ordinary. And yet it is. Despite it relatively small size, this 300-acre property has an incredible depth of facilities, including a long history of dedication to tennis, most recently under former touring pro Mike Leach. At Ponte Vedra, Leach seems to have an intuitive sense for the kinds of activities and services that avid players crave. Members and guests alike turn out in large numbers for the morning drop-in round robins, among them one for men age 50 and older.
Matches go on all day as the diligent staff works to put together players interested in games.
A covered courtside deck with tables and chairs and complimentary coffee encourages hanging around. Former touring pro Mike Leach rose to as high as No. 27 in the world, partly on the strength of his huge left-handed server. After retiring in 1987, he spent the next five years as director of the Atlanta Health and Racquet Club, a regional USTA Training Center, and then came to Ponte Vedra in 1992. One of the things we try to do is make guests virtual members. They can do anything members can.