On Court
New Ways To Play – Can You Say, Pickleball Everyone?
By Emilie Moeller
Recent upgrades at Cliff Drysdale Tennis locations across the U.S. are adding options and opportunities for fun for racquet-sports lovers. Here’s a look:
POLO TENNIS & FITNESS CLUB
Austin, Texas
A private membership club in Austin, Texas, Polo Tennis and Fitness Club has completed a state-of-the-art facility expansion project that brings three dedicated pickleball courts, three new Padel courts, and a renovated two-story fitness center to the southwest Austin location. Polo Club is now the only facility in the greater Austin area that features all three popular racquet sports at one facility, and the first club in Austin to have three outdoor Padel courts available for play. “Polo Club has already established itself as one of the premier racquet and fitness clubs in Austin. But with this new expansion, they will be in a league of their own,” said Scott McCulloch, Chief Operating Officer for Cliff Drysdale Tennis.
SOUTHERN TRACE COUNTRY CLUB
Shreveport, Louisiana
At the beginning of the year, the Troon Golf-managed Southern Trace Country Club made the switch from “Southern Trace Tennis” to “Southern Trace Racquet Sports” with the addition of four dedicated pickleball courts alongside the existing tennis facility, an upgrade that has already proven popular with members of all ages. A driving force of the expanding racquet sports program are new racquet sports committee co-chairs, Rachel Morgan and Kyla Fulco, who noted that the addition of pickleball is a nice amenity “to enhance the member experience at Southern Trace.” With a burgeoning pickleball program and planned upgrades to other parts of the racquets facility on the horizon, Southern Trace Country Club is well on track to becoming a racquet sports leader in northwest Louisiana.
ROME DOWNTOWN RACQUETS CENTER
Rome, Georgia
A satellite facility of the 57-court Rome Tennis Center at Berry College, Rome Downtown Racquets Center made a mark of their own in spring 2022 with the addition of 16 dedicated pickleball courts. “Growing up in Rome, I never would have dreamed there would be a facility like this in my hometown,” said Colt Gaston, general manager of Rome Tennis Center at Berry College and Rome Downtown Racquets Center. “From the facility expansion to adding a menu of new program offerings, we are in an incredible position to get more folks playing pickleball in Rome than ever before.”
CIMARRON HILLS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
Georgetown, Texas
Just north of Austin in Georgetown,
Texas, Cimarron Hills Golf & Country Club recognized an opportunity to develop their racquet sports program with the addition of two brand-new, lighted pickleball courts in March of this year. After a successful ribbon-cutting ceremony and mixer to inaugurate the new facility, the sport has taken off at the private club. Since the opening, Cimarron Hills has formalized new pickleball programming, including Pickleball 101 beginner sessions, social play, leagues, and more.
RED LEDGES CLUB
Red Ledges, Utah
Despite a reputation as a premier four-season private Rocky Mountain golf community, Red Ledges has recently earned accolades among members for its popular tennis amenities, so much so that the Red Ledges development team has planned an extensive construction project that includes six additional tennis courts and six brand-new pickleball courts. Red Ledges has always been a steady provider of private tennis lessons, group clinics, and community tournaments. Alongside the national and local demand for pickleball,
the new racquet sport was a natural next step, coupled with expanded programming, leagues, and socials to match members’ fervent demand.
