Holley Morse and Anne Spees have been coming to Port Royal Racquet Club on South Carolina's Hilton Head Island every spring for several years as part of a group organized by their club pro in McLean, Virginia. This year there are about 20 people, divided into groups of four and distributed through two-bedroom condominiums in the Tennis Village adjacent to the club. For four days virtually the only decision they have to make is where to have lunch and dinner. "Everything is arranged," Morse told me enthusiastically. "You don't have to plan anything, you don't have to set up pros or courts or games. All we have to do is show up."

"Some people also spend time at the beach while they're here," Spees added. "But we haven't been there at all. We just don't get enough tennis at home."

Port Royal hosts about 50 such groups each year. They range in size from as few as four to as many as 80. Tanda Bianco, who heads up what Port Royal dubs its "Ambassador Program," tailor makes each outing to suit the individual needs of the group, including the option of staying in a nearby hotel—the 412-room beachfront Westin Resort—rather than in villas. "They call me and I arrange everything," says Bianco. "I take their deposit, arrange parties, lunches, bags of goodies and as many hours of programming and play they want. They can even pick the hours they want clinics—we don't restrict them to mornings or afternoons."

Overview

The Port Royal Racquet Club has turned the handling of such groups into a minor specialty but not to the point of ignoring the individual guest. I'd come down alone, though not without some concerns that I'd be lost in the shuffle of this group business. Instead Bianco funneled me into the Port Royal's morning stroke-of-the-day clinic and when I wanted more booked me into an hour-long session of fast drills. I met people in both I might have played with later except that I was drafted into an afternoon men's doubles matches with some of the crowd from Maclean. Playing with them meant I never had to pay the $18/hour court fees (you get one complimentary hour per day with villa rental). And it meant I never wanted for tennis.

Set amid yellow pines, maples, live oaks and the occasional magnolia, the 16-court Port Royal Racquet Club is the more parklike of all the clubs on Hilton Head Island. Confederate jasmine covers the fences, perfuming the morning air and taking the place of windscreens. Terraced seating overlooks a hard court on one side of its spacious skylighted clubhouse, a clay court on the other, while meandering pathways provide access to everything else, including two grass courts.

The villa I stayed in, an oversized one-bedroom with a terrace, was just a few minutes walk from the courts and less than 10 minutes walk from a broad, dune-lined beach. It had everything I needed, including a washer-dryer, and several things I didn't, including access to Port Royal's three golf courses, among them Pete Dye's Robber's Row.

Like Morse and Spees, I ended up spending most of my time at the racquet club. It wasn't just that the staff seemed to understand the needs of tennis players, but they are also exceptionally warm and friendly.

It's that that keeps Spees and Morse coming back again and again. As Spees put it: "The day we get home we start looking at the calendar for next year."

Your Call

Here's what others have had to say about Port Royal Racquet Club.

• "Spent a week re-learning skills and polishing rusty strokes. Patrick is a breath of fresh air with his non-nonsense, pragmatic approach to tennis. It's so nice not to have someone try to get me to play like a pro, but within my own abilities. Thanks so much!"—C.U., Int., October 2008

• "First our instructor, Patrick Page, was very knowledgable and personable. He was able to help each of our family members become better tennis players. He had a knack for using words to key on ways to remember how to do the strokes or whatever you'd learned. For me, the backhand "ta-da" helped me see improvement immediately.
  The people in the Club were also very helpful - willing to call if rain caused there to be a delay in lessons or whatever. It was great fun and an excellent time for us to learn how to improve!"—S.G., Int., September 2008

• "We just returned from a week at the Marriott's Barony next door to the Port Royal Racquet Club. The "Stroke of the Day" clinics with Patrick were really helpful in perfecting our club tennis skills. The courts and grounds are always in perfect condition and the clubhouse is close at hand for restringing, new handle wraps or advice about clothing. The entire staff is always ready to help. A great vacation geaway!"—S.E., Adv. Int., September 2008

• "Port Royal is a special place to take your tennis team as I did again this year. As always, the ladies are talking about returning next year due to the great instruction, friendly staff, great court conditions,lovely setting. They are always very accomodating as an individual player or a group."—R.G., Int., September 2008

• "Premier tennis facility. Port Royal has it all including an exceptionally friendly and professional staff led by Director of Tennis, Denny Bianco. The courts are well maintained and the layout offers a rewarding tennis experience. I can't wait to return next year!"—R.A., Adv., August 2008

• "Courts are in excellent shape. Quiet, well kept club with players of all levels. Great staff!!"—L.H., Adv. Int., July 2008

• "Port Royal Racquet Club is an excellent facility. The tennis courts are in great condition and the staff members are friendly and very good about setting visitors up with matches."—R.M., Adv., July 2008

• "Port Royal has tennis courts set in luscious green trees so you can find sun or shade while enjoying the clay and hard courts. The clubhouse is situated close at hand for the bathroom breaks or to take a shower after tennis. The water fountains located at each tennis court deliver cold delicious water. Denny and Tanda are the best!"—J.L., Int., July 2008

• "The tennis club at Port Royal is the best-kept secret on Hilton Head Island. The clay courts are well-maintained and available on short notice. There are several shady courts which is important to me on hot summer days. Also, the pro shop has the best sales!"—B.C., Int., July 2008

• "Variety of camps or day clinics. Knowledgeable pros."—D.B., Adv. Int., July 2008

• "They have an excellent director of tennis, Denny Bianco. He provides more support and training than anyone I have ever met. He has helped me many times over the years."—R.H., Adv. Int., July 2008

• "Just spent a week in Hilton Head and played tennis every day at Port Royal. The tennis staff is excellent, the clay courts are some of the best I've played on and stroke of day clinics are superb. I especially loved the speed drills with Dana. All in all - great tennis resort."—T.R., Adv. Int., June 2008

See Also

If you like Port Royal's emphasis on individually tailored programs, also check out:

• Kiawah Island Golf Resort, South Carolina
• Litchfield Golf & Beach Resort, South Carolina
• Sandestin Beach & Golf Resort, Florida
• Sea Colony Resort, Delaware
• TOPS'L Beach & Racquet Resort, Florida

Travel Essentials

Rates.

For the Westin Resort:

For Port Royal Village:

Thru Feb 28, 2006	1-bdrm, $150; 2-bdrm, $175
Mar. 1-Aug. 19, 2006	1-bdrm, $175; 2-bdrm, $220
Aug. 20, 2006-Feb. 28, 2007	1-bdrm, $150; 2-bdrm, $175

Reservations:

• Port Royal Racquet Club
  15 Wimbeldon Court
  Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
  843-686-8803
  Fax: 843-686-3344
  Web Link: Port Royal Racquet Club
  

• Westin Resort, Hilton Head Island
  2 Grasslawn Ave.
  Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
  843-681-4000
  Toll-free: 866-716-8108
  Fax: 843-681-1087
  Web Link: Westin Resort, Hilton Head Island
  

  NEW!

  Book Online: Westin Resort, Hilton Head Island
  

• Port Royal Village
  P.O. Box 22596
  Hilton Head Island, SC 29925-2596
  843-681-9325
  Toll-free: 800-673-9385
  Fax: 843-681-9331
  Web Link: Port Royal Village
  

Internet Rates! Other Hilton Head Island Lodging. Check For Internet Specials at Hotels, Condos and Villas

Travel Instructions. By Air: Port Royal is 45 miles from Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) in Georgia and 95 miles from Charleston International Airport (CHS). Major airlines serve both of those gateways. It is also possible to fly directly to Hilton Head Island Airport (HHH), on commuter service from US Airways Express, via Charlotte, NC. Rental cars and shuttles are available at all three airports.

General Tourist Information. Visit the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau web site or contact them at 1 Chamber Dr., P.O. Box 5647, Hilton Head Island, SC 29938; 843-785-3673 or toll-free 800-523-3373.

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