With 31 hard and clay courts, 12 of them indoors, and a six-court stadium for the UVA tennis teams, Boar’s Head appears as a very bright blip on any tennis vacationer’s radar. That’s a huge complex for a resort with only 168 rooms, and the fact that it sits in the foothills of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains near such historic sites as Thomas Jefferson’s mountaintop home Monticello and the handsome University of Virginia campus that he founded only adds to the allure.
The entire resort, including its expansive Sports Club, is owned by the University of Virginia Foundation. As a result, the club also serves as the home site for the University of Virginia’s tennis teams. They can play, train, and host tournaments outdoors on their dedicated complex of six hard courts or indoors at the Boar’s Head Sports Club. What’s more, there are ATP and WTA Pro Challenger events that take place during the spring and fall which provide opportunities to see great tennis up close at no cost (Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek are past participants).
Boar’s Head Sports Club, which has long served local members and the University of Virginia teams magnificently, also has an interest in the needs of hotel guests. With a deep roster of tennis professionals under head pro Troy Porco, it has the staff to mount a broad program of weekly events, including several weekly clinics of various sorts—Beginner/Intermediate, Advanced, Cardio, and “Drills For Thrills”—every day of the week. There are also year-round junior camps/clinics (available to the children of hotel guests), run by Ohio State University standout and former ATP touring pro Ralf Steinbach, and an adult tennis academy—with customized programs offered most weekends—headed by seasoned ALTA coach Brian Glass.
Tennis Staff: Troy Porco oversees the entire Boar’s Head Tennis Club program. He played collegiate tennis at Florida International University and then went on to coach the Auburn University women’s team and helped to coach the UVA women’s team before joining the Boar’s Head staff.
Court Complex: There are 9 outdoor hard courts and 10 outdoor clay courts. Those are supplemented by 12 indoor hard courts. Pickleball has six indoor courts (on courts they share with tennis) and 6 permanent outdoor courts. All of that is in addition to the new 6-court stadium reserved for UVA tennis teams and competition.
Off Court
Golf Courses: Davis Love II recently redesigned the resort’s championship Birdwood Golf Course creating what is, in fact, a brand-new golf course, to the degree that some of its holes are on new land and others are now played in the opposite direction. Six sets of tees mean the par-71 course plays from 4,000 to 7,200 yards. Its signature 16th, 17th, and 18th fairways wrap around the historic Birdwood Mansion. In addition, there is a 6-hole, pad-3 course.
Spa & Fitness Center: The Boar’s Head Spa is once again open following a complete renovation. The tennis courts are part of the Sports Club, a sprawling complex comprising a Junior Olympic swimming pool and two other pools, a state-of-the-art fitness center with a Cardio theater and Cybex weight-training, a climbing wall, squash and racquetball courts, some 55 weekly classes (among them Pilates and water aerobics), kids’ programs, and child care.
Dining: There are four food outlets at the Boar’s Head, chief among them the recently renovated Mill Room in the restored 1834 grist mill. It focuses on fresh, local ingredients and has a lounge and outdoor seating. In addition, you have the choice Racquets Restaurant and the outdoor Deep End Bar & Grill, both located at the Sports Club, as well as the Birdwood Ba & Grill in the golf clubhouse.
Accommodations
The 170 rooms occupy four four-story buildings in stone and cafe-au-lait-colored clapboard with gables on their shingle or metal roofs. The decor runs to four-poster beds and brass lamps, typical of a country estate, but with modern amenities like high-speed Internet access. Some have fireplaces and balconies. Views tend to be of the lake or verdant countryside.
Getting there
Seasons: Year-round
Travel Instructions: The nearest airport is Charlottesville-Albemarle Regional Airport (CHO), which is 10 miles from the resort.
Boar’s Head was a phenomenal tennis camp experience. Brian and his team really know their stuff. They put together a 3-day camp for a group with skills from 3.0 to 4.5 that kept us moving, helped us develop tennis strategy, and strengthen our relationships. The low coach-to-player ratio made the experience top notch, and the indoor tennis facility was incredible. In addition to the beautiful courts, the post-match sauna and steam room also hit the spot. I have been to a number of different tennis camps around the East Coast and I would rank this facility and coaching staff near the top. I can’t wait to plan my next team camp at Boar’s Head. I only wish I lived closer!
JE
This was my 2nd visit with the Boars Head Tennis Academy. Our 3.5 women’s team attends together and learns a lot about strategy from Brian and his great pros! The facility is lovely and it’s such a fun weekend.
CI
Our group consisted of six ladies that ranged from 2.5-3.5. We all agreed the clinics were great and we intend to return next year.
Brian was assisted by William for two of the three days and on the third day, a past coach of the UVA Women’s Tennis Team (sorry, I forgot his name).
The instruction from each was very helpful and the drills they used were effective in learning the new skills and fun at the same time. This was the best tennis academy I have experienced and my tennis game has improved because of it. I highly recommend it! Thanks Brian!!
HY
My ladies tri-level team (3.0, 3.5, 4.0) held a weekend retreat at Boar’s Head with Brian Glass and different coaches. Our main goals were to work on our volleys, doubles strategy, and overall practice and have fun together. Brian was able to squeeze us in over a holiday weekend–which I think was very lucky considering they book out in advance. I would make sure to plan ahead as it seems their availability is limited. Brian was very communicative and receptive to what we wanted to work on–especially since our level was spread out between 3.0-4.5C. Our classes were two 3 hour sessions and one 2 hour sessions on 3 courts with 3 coaches for the 11 of us. Brian and team kept things moving and we had a lot of reps and ran through many different drills. The instruction was high quality and there were a lot of different phrases that we learned to help us remember all the great tips! The facility was also very high quality–we were provided towels, beverages and a Boar’s head hat which was nice. And there are multiple steam rooms and saunas for post-tennis relaxation. Half of us stayed at the resort which was very nice, and the other half at a nearby vacation rental which helped with affordability. Would highly recommend to teams and would love to go back. Thanks Brian and team!
LG
Our tennis team enjoys the Boar’s Head tennis Academy every year. Great instruction, and we always learn new tips and tricks to improve our play.
BB
Great tennis experience over three days in spectacular Charlottesville. Tennis instruction was excellent and geared towards doubles play. Facilities are the best around for indoor courts and use if the fitness center was a plus.
CW
Loved attending the tennis clinic at Boars Head. The tennis pros were highly skilled and I learnt so much from them over the two days of tennis. The facilities are amazing and overall we all had a wonderful weekend. Highly recommend this tennis camp and can’t wait to go back. Thanks to Brian and his team!
RC
Boar’s Heads facilities are truly second to none in the Resort racquet sports world. They have over 30+ Tennis Courts inside and out, 15+ squash courts, pickleball courts, and are adding 3 brand new Padel courts. Their tennis facilities are great, but their professional staff are even better. They have trained and led but USTA adult teams/players as well as groomed Juniors that are now playing D1 tennis at a very high level. I am just not sure you can beat what they do from an engagement with the community, resort overnight guests and academies, and the local membership.
LF
Great instruction and facility for tennis team academies. Our team of 10-12 players has been traveling to Virginia annually for the past 10 years and it truly is a highlight of our season. We have fun, are challenged, and always return stating we need to this soon twice a year! Thanks to Brian for great leadership and his pros for many awesome weekends of tennis!
LW
Great tennis experience in a wonderful environment.
KV
Such a great experience. Lots of great drills and tennis tips. Brian is awesome as is the whole team. We always look forward to going back!
SC
This is our second time traveling to Boars Head as a team to train with Brian and it was a phenomenal experience. We came away stronger players, the pros were all so fun and gave great instruction. We look to make this an annual tradition. I keep telling people that if I lived in Charlottesville and could play with the Boars Head pros regularly, I would already be on the pro tour.
GM
Amazing facilities, and great clinics and pros. Throw in men’s and women’s professional tournaments and top drawer college tennis teams it’s hard to beat.
LR
LR
BF
This is an excellent academy for skills development; particularly doubles. Bringing a group of 8 or 12 is my advice. We had six married couples on three courts. We were able to mix and match men’s, women’s and mixed drills and games. There are breaks in between play to discuss, so it wasn’t exhausting to me. It is 3 hrs Fri, 3 hrs Sat and 2 hrs Sun. So, 8 altogether. It’s a good way to learn some more advanced doubles strategies and tactics. There are nice locker rooms and lounges for before and after. They played some tunes and people had some laughs. There is a lot of creativity that goes in to the games. I found the time to pass fairly quickly. Charlottesville offers plenty to do and see while you are in town.
BF
This is an excellent academy for skills development; particularly doubles. Bringing a group of 8 or 12 is my advice. We had six married couples on three courts. We were able to mix and match men’s, women’s and mixed drills and games. There are breaks in between play to discuss, so it wasn’t exhausting to me. It is 3 hrs Fri, 3 hrs Sat and 2 hrs Sun. So, 8 altogether. It’s a good way to learn some more advanced doubles strategies and tactics. There are nice locker rooms and lounges for before and after. They played some tunes and people had some laughs. There is a lot of creativity that goes in to the games. I found the time to pass fairly quickly.
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117 Reviews on “Boar's Head Resort”
Boar’s Head was a phenomenal tennis camp experience. Brian and his team really know their stuff. They put together a 3-day camp for a group with skills from 3.0 to 4.5 that kept us moving, helped us develop tennis strategy, and strengthen our relationships. The low coach-to-player ratio made the experience top notch, and the indoor tennis facility was incredible. In addition to the beautiful courts, the post-match sauna and steam room also hit the spot. I have been to a number of different tennis camps around the East Coast and I would rank this facility and coaching staff near the top. I can’t wait to plan my next team camp at Boar’s Head. I only wish I lived closer!
This was my 2nd visit with the Boars Head Tennis Academy. Our 3.5 women’s team attends together and learns a lot about strategy from Brian and his great pros! The facility is lovely and it’s such a fun weekend.
Our group consisted of six ladies that ranged from 2.5-3.5. We all agreed the clinics were great and we intend to return next year.
Brian was assisted by William for two of the three days and on the third day, a past coach of the UVA Women’s Tennis Team (sorry, I forgot his name).
The instruction from each was very helpful and the drills they used were effective in learning the new skills and fun at the same time. This was the best tennis academy I have experienced and my tennis game has improved because of it. I highly recommend it! Thanks Brian!!
My ladies tri-level team (3.0, 3.5, 4.0) held a weekend retreat at Boar’s Head with Brian Glass and different coaches. Our main goals were to work on our volleys, doubles strategy, and overall practice and have fun together. Brian was able to squeeze us in over a holiday weekend–which I think was very lucky considering they book out in advance. I would make sure to plan ahead as it seems their availability is limited. Brian was very communicative and receptive to what we wanted to work on–especially since our level was spread out between 3.0-4.5C. Our classes were two 3 hour sessions and one 2 hour sessions on 3 courts with 3 coaches for the 11 of us. Brian and team kept things moving and we had a lot of reps and ran through many different drills. The instruction was high quality and there were a lot of different phrases that we learned to help us remember all the great tips! The facility was also very high quality–we were provided towels, beverages and a Boar’s head hat which was nice. And there are multiple steam rooms and saunas for post-tennis relaxation. Half of us stayed at the resort which was very nice, and the other half at a nearby vacation rental which helped with affordability. Would highly recommend to teams and would love to go back. Thanks Brian and team!
Our tennis team enjoys the Boar’s Head tennis Academy every year. Great instruction, and we always learn new tips and tricks to improve our play.
Great tennis experience over three days in spectacular Charlottesville. Tennis instruction was excellent and geared towards doubles play. Facilities are the best around for indoor courts and use if the fitness center was a plus.
Loved attending the tennis clinic at Boars Head. The tennis pros were highly skilled and I learnt so much from them over the two days of tennis. The facilities are amazing and overall we all had a wonderful weekend. Highly recommend this tennis camp and can’t wait to go back. Thanks to Brian and his team!
Boar’s Heads facilities are truly second to none in the Resort racquet sports world. They have over 30+ Tennis Courts inside and out, 15+ squash courts, pickleball courts, and are adding 3 brand new Padel courts. Their tennis facilities are great, but their professional staff are even better. They have trained and led but USTA adult teams/players as well as groomed Juniors that are now playing D1 tennis at a very high level. I am just not sure you can beat what they do from an engagement with the community, resort overnight guests and academies, and the local membership.
Great instruction and facility for tennis team academies. Our team of 10-12 players has been traveling to Virginia annually for the past 10 years and it truly is a highlight of our season. We have fun, are challenged, and always return stating we need to this soon twice a year! Thanks to Brian for great leadership and his pros for many awesome weekends of tennis!
Great tennis experience in a wonderful environment.
Such a great experience. Lots of great drills and tennis tips. Brian is awesome as is the whole team. We always look forward to going back!
This is our second time traveling to Boars Head as a team to train with Brian and it was a phenomenal experience. We came away stronger players, the pros were all so fun and gave great instruction. We look to make this an annual tradition. I keep telling people that if I lived in Charlottesville and could play with the Boars Head pros regularly, I would already be on the pro tour.
Amazing facilities, and great clinics and pros. Throw in men’s and women’s professional tournaments and top drawer college tennis teams it’s hard to beat.
This is an excellent academy for skills development; particularly doubles. Bringing a group of 8 or 12 is my advice. We had six married couples on three courts. We were able to mix and match men’s, women’s and mixed drills and games. There are breaks in between play to discuss, so it wasn’t exhausting to me. It is 3 hrs Fri, 3 hrs Sat and 2 hrs Sun. So, 8 altogether. It’s a good way to learn some more advanced doubles strategies and tactics. There are nice locker rooms and lounges for before and after. They played some tunes and people had some laughs. There is a lot of creativity that goes in to the games. I found the time to pass fairly quickly. Charlottesville offers plenty to do and see while you are in town.
This is an excellent academy for skills development; particularly doubles. Bringing a group of 8 or 12 is my advice. We had six married couples on three courts. We were able to mix and match men’s, women’s and mixed drills and games. There are breaks in between play to discuss, so it wasn’t exhausting to me. It is 3 hrs Fri, 3 hrs Sat and 2 hrs Sun. So, 8 altogether. It’s a good way to learn some more advanced doubles strategies and tactics. There are nice locker rooms and lounges for before and after. They played some tunes and people had some laughs. There is a lot of creativity that goes in to the games. I found the time to pass fairly quickly.