Drysdale Tennis School
Stratton Mountain, VT LEGENDS Weekends from $295
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Grand Slam Tennis Tours
Great seat & vacation pkgs to the 2009 French Open
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Here's what others have had to say about New England Tennis Holidays.
"This was my third year in a row attending a 3 day session. I loved every minute! I took a private lesson two mornings which were outstanding. The instructors were top-notch and I plan to attend next year too!!"—M.D., Adv. Int., July 2009
"This was my third and best summer at NETH. The staff is amazing, the level of tennis is great. I cannot wait for next summer."—J.S., Adv. Int., July 2009
"The pros were great, and the instruction was lot of fun. The focus was more on the basics then on strategy which was very helpful. I'd highly recommend the camp."—L.W., Adv. Int., July 2009
"I highly recommend this resort and camp to player of all abilities. The drills are interesting the games are exciting and the instruction and skill building is spot on. The video replay helps uncover flaws and the pros have such passion for the game and truly WANT you to improve your level and enjoy the game. The location is perfect, mountains, restaurants, shops, music."—R.C., Int., July 2009
"This was my first time at a tennis camp, and what a great experience. I learned so much in one weekend which will really help to improve my technique. The staff was great, and the camp was fun and run really well."—C.D., Int., June 2009
"Wonderfully accomplished, capable and FUN tennis professionals make this camp top-notch. This was my 3rd year attending and each time I have seen great progress in my tennis skills and understanding of the game. Located in North Conway NH, this camp offers a super relaxing getaway spot with great access to fine dining and after tennis activities as well. It is well worth the money and time."—T.T., Adv. Int., June 2009
"After attending tennis camp my serve greatly improved. Won all my service games the next time I played."—J.Q., Int., June 2009
"I can't imagine a better program. Fun, great pace for all levels and ages, First class instruction. So many of the pros return year after year so it must be a great place to work,too."—B.P., Int., June 2009
"We read really good reviews about New England Tennis Holidays prior to our stay there and after having spoken with one of the owners and finding out that there were other players of our level, we were excited to attend this camp. After our experience there, however, we left disappointed.
It must be said that the tennis instruction was good and the pros were very helpful (some more than others). The videotaping was an extremely useful tool and it was beneficial to receive video analysis from a pro on your strokes. Some of the drills were fun, though they were repeated throughout our entire stay there.
A friend and I, both 4.0 players, decided on New England Tennis Holidays over other tennis camps after having been told that there were other participants at our level, and unfortunately, that was untrue. We played with people significantly below our level and it was not a good use of our time or money. I would not recommend this camp to any strong level players unless you intended to organize a group of at least four, so that you were guaranteed to hit with players at your skill level. The buffet lunch was also very disappointing as they only served two types of cold cuts and salad. If you wanted a second cup of ice-tea and lemonade (both from powder), you had to make sure you got it beforehand as they did not make enough for a second helping.
If I had to rate this camp, I would give it a 6.5 out of 10. The best part of the program was its teaching staff. If you are a beginner or intermediate and don't mind a mediocre lunch, then New England Tennis Holidays might be for you. If you are stronger player and want to take your game to the next level, then you may want to explore other tennis camps options."—N.S., Adv., June 2009
"The pro's are super and watch each one knowing their weaknesses and help them."—J.B., Int., June 2009
"Definately go...you will learn alot and have a great time"—C.M., Int., June 2009
"I highly recommend New England Tennis Holidays! The pros are knowledgeable, friendly and encouraging, and the format is challenging and most of all, fun. Great way to spend a weekend, and I look forward to next year! Thank you!"—A.G., Int., June 2009
Rate New England Tennis Holidays
Tennis players with longish memories associate North Conway, New Hampshire, with the old Volvo International men's tournament, which was played at the Mount Cranmore Racquet Club. Today, former touring pro Clare Grabher and her husband Kurt operate very high quality, 5-hour-a-day summer tennis camps on those same red-clay tournament courts. They put campers up in nearby condos, a mountain lodge, or a New England inn, and then ensure post-clinic camaraderie by including optional group dinners at various restaurants in the area hosted by one or more of the pros.
Pro Shop: 603-356-9696
For the last several years, New England Tennis Holidays has had a lock on the No. 1 ranking for tennis camps on Tennis Resorts Online's annual reader poll. There are any number of reasons, but two of the most crucial are that Kurt and Clare Grabher, who started the camp more that 20 years ago, never let a season pass without asking what they can do better next year; and they typically hire not college kids but pros with years of teaching experience—the average was 15 years the last time I attended.
The three-hour morning sessions eventually cover all the major strokes as well as singles and doubles strategy. There is a break for lunch at noon—sandwiches, salads, and pastas at the adjacent Sports Club—and then the program continues with videotaping, a series of "Stroke Stations," during which you head for the court that is working on the stroke you want more help with, and the organized sessions end with a round robin. "People want to play," notes Kurt Grabher.
The result is a very balanced program, with a strong instructional component supplemented by a variety of playing situations. Though it runs five hours a day, I would not classify it among the grueling camps. When the afternoon sessions end, campers are typically tired but not exhausted—and a few, in fact, hang around the courts to play a bit more.
It helps, of course, that the camp takes place in northern New Hampshire, where a demanding program takes far less toll than it does in south Florida. And the staff encourages camaraderie by arranging group dinners at a different local restaurant each night, which helps makes this a comfortable option for people who come alone.
Courts & Fees. There are five red-clay courts set in the embrace of the stadium and four indoor hard courts, which can be used in case of inclement weather. Court fees: None for participants.
Golf Courses. There is a 9-hole course at the White Mountain Hotel & Resort, one of three lodging choices offered by New England Tennis Holidays.
Fitness Center. In addition to indoor and outdoor courts, the Cranmore Sports Club has a complete fitness center with Nautilus equipment, cardiovascular machines, and free weights. There are also aerobics and yoga classes, an indoor climbing wall, and steam, sauna, and Jacuzzi. Massages can also be arranged. Use of the facility is free to New England Tennis Holiday participants.
And ... If shopping is recreation, then North Conway with its scores of factory outlets and no-tax policy qualifies as a major diversion.
The Cranmore Sports Club runs an adventure camp for children ages 5-12 from early July to late August. It includes tennis, gymnastics, swimming, crafts, hiking and more and can be arranged daily or weekly. For more information and prices, call 800-786-6754, ext. 5.
The most frequently chosen lodging is the White Mountain Hotel & Resort, beautifully situated below the rocky face of White Mountain and surrounded by woods and a 9-hole golf course. Some of the optional meals are served there, and it has coin-operated washer-dryers for guests' use. One modest disadvantage is that it lies several miles from the Sports Center on the opposite side of town and thus requires you to commute back and forth.
The alternative is to stay in one of the condos near the Sports Center. Large and well appointed, these have full kitchens, fireplaces, washer-dryers, and outside decks. The condo complex also has its own swimming pool. Breakfast is not included if you stay in a condo.
The final option is the Spruce Moose Lodge & Cottages, a two-story clapboard bed and breakfast with gables and porches. It's located in town, about half a mile from the racquet club.
The package includes dining in a different restaurant each night, including a seafood buffet at the White Mountain Hotel, "Country European" cuisine at Maestro's in town, and excellent pub food at Delaney's.
If you're looking for an all-day tennis camp with lots of social atmosphere, also check out New England Tennis Holiday's other venue in Vermont or any of the following:
There are three lodging options: condos just up the hill from the tennis complex, a lodge, and a hotel (the last has a golf course). Tennis packages run for from 2 to 7 days and include lodging, breakfast and lunch, (breakfast for those in the condos), 5 hours of tennis school, taxes and gratuities. All rates are per person, double occupancy. Only the 2-day and 5-day package rates are quoted here. See their website for other packages and rates for single occupancy, and for rates that include a dinner package.
May 13-June 24, 2009
2-days: Condo, $455; Lodge, $429; Hotel, $499
5-days: Condo, $929; Lodge, $889; Hotel, $1,099
June 25-Sept. 13, 2009
2-days: Condo, $499; Lodge, $439; Hotel, $565
5-days: Condo, $1,055; Lodge, $899; Hotel, $1,155
Tennis Only
2 days, $299, 5 days, $679
Seasons. The programs at Cranmore run from May to mid September.
Travel Instructions. The nearest airport is Portland, Maine, an hour and 15 minutes' drive to the south. NETH can arrange for a shuttle to pick you up and make sure you have a ride back and forth from you lodging to the courts and dinner, but in truth you'll probably be happier with the freedom that comes with having your own transportation.
General Tourist Information. Visit the New Hampshire Office of Travel & Tourism web site or contact them at 172 Pembroke, P.O. Box 1856, Concord, NH 03302. Phone: 603-271-2343 or 800-FUN-IN-NH.