You don't need to spend more than a few minutes in the modest pro shop or around the courts at Tops'l to begin to sense an almost palpable enthusiasm for the game and its players. Drop in unannounced, and the first question someone is likely to ask is not "Can I help you?" but "Are you looking for a game?" You're made not simply to feel welcome but wanted, even needed. Without actually stepping on the courts you can sense that tennis matters there, and despite competition from an alluring beach, you find yourself nonetheless being drawn back to the racquet club just to be part of the action and camaraderie.

Depending on your perspective, Tops'l is either a tennis resort with a beach or a beach resort with tennis, but either way there is no competition from golf or any other recreational amenity. That alone underscores the high value the resort puts on tennis. But it's one thing to offer tennis as an amenity, quite another to ensure that guests take advantage. And the entire staff, from tennis director joe D'Aleo on down behaves as if the racquet club were not so much a workplace as a second home. Their enthusiasm and personal attention helps make Tops'l a haven for vacationers who themselves want to spend hours on the court.

Overview

Tops'l opened in 1985 on 52 beachfront acres adjacent to the Topsail Hill State Preserve. The architectural motif throughout is toned down Mediterranean, with rough cream-colored stucco and red tile rooms. There are numerous one- and two-story condos to either side of the entrance road and around the tennis courts. Most of the development, however, is concentrated along the beach, where several tall towers rise behind the primary dune line. These overlook another stretch of magnificent Gulf Coast beach, all white and high dunes. The newest of those towers has 164 2- and 3-bedroom units with balconies and oversize windows. Between it and beach is very large pool with an expansive deck, private bathhouses, and cabanas, whirlpools, and a small poolside restaurant called the Pavilion for lunch and snacks. All of this is linked by an on-property shuttle.

Although I'd prefer not to look up from the beach and see that cluster of monoliths, I am otherwise a huge fan of Tops'l. Part of its appeal is directly attributable to the genuine enthusiasm of its tennis staff, and part to the resort's focus on tennis. There is no golf course here to divert attention from what's happening at the 12-court tennis complex. And in fact because that complex also has an exceptionally well equipped and well staffed fitness center—which includes indoor and outdoor swimming pools—the courts are a more than usually appealing place to hang out.

Tennis Features

Pro Shop: 850-267-9292.
Tennis Director Joe D'Aleo: 850-267-9195

The newly renovated tennis complex and clubhouse consists of 12 Rubico courts (a kind of clay), one of them a small stadium, and 10 of them with lights. All have been laid out on a series of terraces each protected from the wind by the surrounding townhouses and pine trees. The recent renovations converted two hard courts to clay and substituted new terra-cotta-colored wooden fence posts and black windscreens. The interior of the clubhouse also received attention in the form of an updated players' lounge, locker rooms and pro shop. Walkways, grass, and shrubs separate one pair of courts from the next. And each pair of courts has a patio covered by a large blue awning for shade and furnished with chairs and tables and water coolers. The club has some 650 members, about 100 of whom live locally.

Tennis Staff. After more than a decade on staff, Joe D'Aleo has now taken over as director, allowing his predecessor Woody Hoblitzell to focus more on marketing. He has Hoblitzell's affable personality and devotion to the game, which ensures a smooth transition and continuing enthusiasm for tennis and tennis players. A USPTA-certified pro who played for Georgia Tech, he brings both teaching and playing skills to the position. "TOPS'L is all about tennis and making sure that all of our tennis guests feel like they are members," he says of his approach. "We always go the extra mile to make sure all of our guests get all the tennis they need during their stay." Sharing his enthusiasm and approach is head pro Sam Vickroy.
Tennis Programs. Tops'l has a tennis desk whose staff devotes much of their time to setting up games. During the busy summer, there is also an active weekly calendar of clinics, drill sessions, and round robins, including a Play with the Pro clinic and a very well attended Saturday morning mixed social round robin. That last event draws as many as 40 players and is successful because D'Aleo does not simply throw players together but instead invests time and effort in trying to match everyone according to their level. In the spring and fall, Tops'l has been very successful in recruiting league teams to come down for long weekends by offering a combination of clinics and tournaments. These have proven to be very popular. All in all, Tops'l offers 13 different tennis packages, variously for individuals and teams.
Courts Fees. None.

Your Call

Here's what others have had to say about TOPS'L Beach & Racquet Resort.

• "This is my second trip to TOPS'L and I definitely plan to go back. The tennis staff is top-notch and they offer a great variety of class options. If you are a beginner, very advanced or somewhere in between, you will never feel out of place. The housing options, beach access and close proximity to great shopping and restaurants makes this resort my favorite so far!"—K.L., Int., June 2008

• "This is our 6th year at Tops'l and it was the best so far. Joe D’Aleo, the Director of Tennis and his staff go out of their way to make sure you have an exceptional tennis experience. Tops’l has to be one of the best tennis values in the country! Thanks again to Joe and Sam for making our trip memorable."—T.H., Adv. Int., June 2008

• "Great tennis facilities, plus fitness, beach etc. Staff is absolutely serviced-oriented and goes out out its way to make your stay enjoyable. They remember your name and uusally your good backhand and weak second serve. Variety of tennis offerings is superb and fun.
  Facility overall is especially attractive and nice and compact. yo can walk to just about anything, but a shuttle arrives super fast if needed.
  I've told lots of friends and gotten lots of thanks yous, dinner invites and so forth as a result."—M.P., Adv. Int., June 2008

• "Great tennis package for the money. Pro's and staff work hard to meet any demands you have. Resort is ideal for the whole family. My wife and kids didn't want to leave."—D.W., Int., June 2008

• "My wife & I have been to Tops'l 4 times over the last 7 years. We always stay in the tennis villas, though you can stay right on the beach if you prefer. The tennis villas have a sliding glass door that open basically right on 1 of 14 courts.....it's awesome! The private pool is just yards away from your tennis villas; And the beach is a short walk or trolly ride away. The tennis is GREAT, and Joe goes out of his way to try and set up matches for better players. The courts are always in exceptional condition. Overall, a great experience!!"—K.W., Adv., June 2008

• "Tops'l was a great vacation and the tennis was great! We have young children and enjoyed the facilities and the top level tennis staff lead by Joe D'Aleo. He did a fantastic job and we will be back soon!"—A.T., Adv. Int., May 2008

• "Went with a group of 4 ladies for a tennis weekend package. We all had a great time. The tennis instruction was exceptional. We learned a lot and enjoyed playing tennis when we weren't in clinics or lessons. Joe and Sam were very helpful. Also, for cost and value, you can't beat Tops'l. We definitely will be going back!"—P.Z., Adv. Int., May 2008

• "The tennis package and the accomodations at the Summitt were outstanding.Good value for the money. Maid service experience at the Summitt needs improvement but plan to return soon."—J.M., Int., May 2008

• "My 3.5 ladies team has gone to both Tops'l and Sandestin. We prefer Tops'l because of the great instruction and the layout of the site where everything is close together. The instructors were great in working with us on our doubles strategy, and we had fun at the pool and beach in our spare time. We plan to go back this fall."—D.R., Int., May 2008

• "They say you can't teach an ole' dog new tricks...but Joe and Sam have proven that adage wrong. My friends in Michigan can't believe the improvement in my game. They all want to come Tops'l for fun days of great tennis. I highly recommed a visit to this awesome spot."—K.G., Adv. Int., May 2008

• "Went with a group of 8 guys and a great time. Great instruction, learned a bunch and also had a ton of fun.
  The staff is exceptional. Both days of lesson were outstanding. They also found a local player to join us when one of our guys went down with an injury. On one of the days, it was really windy so they moved us to lower courts with less wind and also put on extra water on the clay to maintain the courts at a vert high level.
  Highly recommend!"—M.C., Adv. Int., May 2008

• "I would like to complement Joe D'Aleo, Director of Tennis and his tennis staff for a fantastic tennis experience. He is dedicated to making you tennis experience exceptional. I will return again and again."—D.T., Adv. Int., May 2008

Other Recreation

Beach. Those towers notwithstanding, the resort has been sensitive to the natural environment. The tall dunes along the beach remain intact, and so to reach the broad boulevard of white sand you cross over the dunes on a wooden boardwalk. In spring, scrub magnolias bloom right on the dunes as does purple-flowered Florida rosemary.

Golf Courses. A complimentary 18-hole mini course aside, TOPS'L does not offer on-site golf, though arrangements can be made to play locally.

Spa & Fitness Center. The fitness center at the courts has a large, well-equipped, spaciously laid out, and well-staffed workout room with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the courts. Other facilities include indoor and outdoor swimming pools and a racquetball court. Aerobics, yoga, and water aerobics classes are also available. There is a massage therapist on call at the Racquet Club (there are two massage rooms at the tennis center). Just outside the entrance to the resort is the Blue Heron Spa, an independent operation that offers a more extensive array of services.

And ... A lighted fitness trail (much of it asphalt) with 20 Parcours stations runs from 1¼ miles, from the beach condos around the courts and back.

Children's Programs

From Memorial Day to Labor Day and during spring break, Tops'l operates a camp for children ages 5-12. It consists of a variety of activities, mostly outdoors, and runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday (and includes an afternoon junior tennis clinic). Several times each week there is also a Kid's Night Out from 6-9 p.m. with events like a jungle safari, moonlight turtle hunts, ghost crab excursions, and camp out. Babysitting services can also be arranged.

Lodging

Lodging at Tops'l consists of 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom condominiums. All are privately owned and furnished to the tastes of the owners, which means no two are alike. In order to be in the resort's rental pool, however, they must meet minimum standards of upkeep and amenities, including televisions and washer/dryers. The two-story units surrounding the fitness center and tennis courts and the midrise called Beach Manor overlooking the Gulf date to the 1985 when the resort opened. Since then two 15-story towers have been added: The Summit in 1996 and The Tides in 1999.

Restaurants

The Ocean Club Restaurant at the entrance to Tops'l provides a convenient place for high-quality evening dining, complete with a live band for entertainment. Curiously, however, there is no place on property for breakfast (though the Sandbar Market & Emporium in the TOPS'L Clubhouse does sell some of what you may need to make breakfast), and only one place for lunch, the Blue Dunes Grill next to the pool on the beach. There is also a small outdoor Tiki Bar poolside.

Calendar

See Also

If you're looking for a resort where tennis is the most important diversion, also check out:

• The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort, Florida
• La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, California
• Shadow Mountain Resort & Club, California

For other resorts that specialize in team events, check out:

• Kiawah Island Golf Resort, South Carolina
• Port Royal Racquet Club, South Carolina
• Sandestin Beach & Golf Resort, Florida
• Shadow Mountain Resort & Club, California

Travel Essentials

Seasons. High season here is May to Labor Day, when tourists are more prevalent; however tennis teams and groups of players tend to come during spring and fall.

TOPS'L Beach & Racquet Resort
9011 Hwy. 98 East
Destin, FL 32550
850-267-9222
Toll-free: 888-248-4964
Fax: 850-269-9267
Web Link: TOPS'L Beach & Racquet Resort

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Travel Instructions. By Air: The nearest airports are Fort Walton Beach (VPS), 30 minutes west; Panama City Regional (PFN), 50 minutes east; and Pensacola Regional (PNS), 90 minutes west. Rental cars are available at all three.

General Tourist Information. Visit the Emerald Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau web site or contact them at 1540 Miracle Strip Parkway SE, P.O. Box 609, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32549-0609; phone 850-651-7131, toll-free 800-322-3319, or Fax: 850-651-7149.

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