Shipyard Plantation
Van Der Meer Tennis

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

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The legendary tennis instructor and coach Dennis Van der Meer passed away Saturday, July 27, 2019. I first met him in the 1980s at a camp at the Van Der Meer Tennis Center and came away amazed by his upbeat teaching—sometimes punctuated by silly jokes—and his phenomenal ability at the end of a camp with 60 participants to conclude by calling each by name and recalling specifically the flaws in their game he was working on to help them improve. A kind, wonderful man who cared deeply about tennis and tennis players. He is missed. For more about him and his contribution to tennis, see the obituary in The Island Packet.

Of all the resorts on Hilton Head Island, Shipyard Plantation has always impressed me for its serenity. Drive through either entrance gate and you find yourself on a winding two-lane road bordered by woods or golf fairways and unobtrusive complexes of low-rise condos. The road eventually ends at the 20-court Van Der Meer Shipyard Tennis Resort and a beachfront hotel called the Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island. Its location puts most of Hilton Head Island's shops, restaurants, and attractions within easy reach while ensuring a measure of tranquility once you return to the plantation.

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Sponsor

Overview

The plantation itself covers a 800 acres. Unlike Sea Pines and Palmetto Dunes, which border long stretches of beach, most of Shipyard lies inland. At its northeastern corner, however, a rectangular parcel of land connects the rest of the plantation to the beach. It's there, just behind the dunes, that you'll find both the Sonesta hotel and the resort's beach club.

The ownership of Shipyard's recreational amenities and its lodging is fragmented, which makes it modestly more complicated to sort through the options if you're planning to stay there. The condos are handled by many different island real estate agencies, each of which may have struck a different deal with the golf club and tennis club to ensure their guests special privileges.

Tennis players have it somewhat easier since they can call the Van Der Meer organization and take advantage of special package prices the racquet club has cut with island hotels and villas, inside and outside the plantation.

Tennis Features

Pro Shop: 843-686-8804
Email:

Billie Jean King was the touring pro for Shipyard Plantation in 1974 when the racquet club was built. Almost two decades later her onetime coach and former business partner Dennis Van der Meer bought the racquet club and made major enhancements, including the addition of three indoor courts, the general upgrading of the others, and enhancement of the stadium.

Tennis Staff. Most of the clinics are run by Dr. Louis Cap and other members of the Van Der Meer professional staff. A Master Professional and PTR National Tester and Clinician, Cap played the European Circuit in the 60's, and in addition to his lengthy teaching and playing career, Louie has a Ph.D. in Nuclear Physics and when I last visited in 2017 was preparing to run his 43rd consecutive Boston Marathon.
Tennis Programs. The Van Der Meer organization has moved all of its multi-day adult programming to this Shipyard venue. Throughout virtually the entire year now, there are midweek and weekend clinics ranging from 10 to 20 hours in length. Different sessions are designed to appeal to different players, from basic clinics for a wide range to abilities to drill-and-play, advanced, or world-class drill sessions for NTRP 3.5 and above. Certain other periods are devoted to singles, doubles, or senior play. Adults who want daily (as opposed to multi-day) programs can still get those at Shipyard, which offers Cardio tennis and from May to October a weekly pro exhibition or a broad range of clinics Van Der Meer Tennis Center, which is also where the junior programs take place. Court Complex. A handsome weathered wood-and-stucco pro shop beneath a towering live oak tree anchors this 20-court complex. Walkways impregnated with shells provide access to the courts, most of which have been laid out in pairs with refrigerated water fountains and shaded pavilions in between. One of these courts is a bleachered stadium. Altogether there are 14 clay courts and 6 hard, three of the latter in an indoor building whose blue roof and facade of stucco and columns hints at the other architecture within Shipyard. Court fees: $15-$18/hour except for those on Van Der Meer clinic packages.

Ratings (314 Reviewers)
Tennis Overall Cuisine Romance Kids' Programs	Instruction Lodging Solo Travelers	Tennis Staff	Game Matching Dollar Value Setting
Van Der Meer Tennis Ratings ( 187 Reviewers)
Tennis Overall	Tennis Staff	Instruction	Junior Tennis

Sponsor

Ratings (314 Reviewers)
Tennis Overall Game Matching Tennis Staff Lodging Dollar Value Other Recreation Romance Solo Travelers	Instruction Junior Tennis Cuisine Setting Kids' Programs
Van Der Meer Tennis Ratings ( 187 Reviewers)
Tennis Overall Instruction	Tennis Staff Junior Tennis

Reservations

Shipyard Plantation

Hilton Head Island, SC 29928

843-785-8388
Toll-free: 800-845-6138
Web Link: Shipyard Plantation

Other Recreation

Beach. Only one tiny strip of the Shipyard property borders the beach, and that occurs in the extreme northeast corner just behind the Sonesta Resort. Low dunes tufted with grass separate the beach proper, which is enormously wide, from a line of palm trees and the hotel and beach club. Blue umbrellas stud the sand, which is otherwise cluttered with beach tricycles and chairs.

Golf Courses. Shipyard has 27 holes of golf.

Spa and Fitness Center. The Arum Spa at the Sonesta offers a variety of massages, body treatments, and facials. The Sonesta also has a fitness center open 24 hours a day to guests. It has cardio equipment, LifeFitness training stations, and dumbbells.

And ... There are bike trails through the property but not much else in the way of other recreation.

Children's Programs

The Sonesta has a children's playground, and it also runs something called "Just Us Kids,", a supervised, full- or half-day program available from Memorial Day to Labor Day for 6 to 12 year olds. Potty-trained 3- to 5-eyar-old can attend with the morning or afternoon half day session.

See Also

If you like the sound of Shipyard, compare it to:

• Cliff Drysdale Tennis at the Omni Amelia Island Resort, Florida
• Kiawah Island Golf Resort, South Carolina
• Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort, South Carolina
• Sea Pines Resort, South Carolina
• Wild Dunes, South Carolina

For something in the mountains, look at:

• Wintergreen Resort, Virginia

Rates and Reservations

Shipyard Plantation

Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 843-785-8388
Toll-free: 800-845-6138
Visit the website for current rates
Web Link: Shipyard Plantation

Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island

130 Shipyard Dr.
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 843-842-2400
Toll-free: 800-766-3782
Visit the website for current rates
Web Link: Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island

Travel Essentials

Seasons. Tennis can be played year-round at Shipyard; however the beach loses its appeal from late November into early March, since the weather during that period can be chilly. On the other hand, some of the best bargains in lodging rates (and discounted clinics) also occur in winter.

Travel Instructions. By Air: Shipyard 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 website.