Tennis
DCTC has the best tennis in the Palm Springs area! Deep Canyon Tennis Club's Championship 3.5 Super Senior Team On-site USPTA Professionals: Larry Hunter, Tennis Director Steve Vaughan, Teaching Pro Tournaments: The prestigious Indian Wells Tennis Tournament is held every March at the Tennis Gardens in Indian Wells, which is only 15 minutes away. This is the largest professional tournament in the world after the “big” four. The top men and women of the world meet for this two week tournament and it’s a great opportunity to see the likes of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Caroline Wozniack & Kim Clijsters up close. A number of our members volunteer at the tournament and Ivan Ljubicek and his coach have stayed (and practiced) here at DCTC for several years. There are four local tournaments held in the Palm Springs area during January with a Level 2 tournament held at the end of January drawing the top players in each age group through the 80’s from throughout the western US and Canada. Several of our current owners have won national age group titles in the past five years. There is also the Senior Cup tournament for teams held in March, played at various clubs throughout the valley. Teams from Hawaii, New Zealand and throughout the west participate. Competition is at the 3.5 to 4.5 level and DCTC has entered numerous teams in this competition during past years.
Yes, there are clubs that have many courts and fancy brochures but do they have players? Regardless of your skill level, you’ll find all the tennis your body can take at Deep Canyon Tennis Club. Players at skill levels from beginner to elite (USTA 5.0) can find competition and camaraderie on our 13 hard courts. For instance, January through March, there are at least 40 men and women at the 3.5 to 4.5 level here at the club. A great way to “break the ice” is to join the fun on Wednesday afternoons for some mixed doubles followed by a social hour and pizza. It’s a great way to meet everyone. Additionally, there are opportunities to play at your skill level every week by signing up for either ladies’ or men’s “Top Gun” tennis events. Your tennis calendar will be filled before you know it! Courts are available for play by residents, renters and guests.
Casual Play: Courts are assigned at the Pro Shop for 1 ½ hour increments and are typically filled for the first three or four hours of the day. Aside from the “teaching court”, the other courts are available for casual play, e.g., singles, for the rest of the day. Three of the courts are lighted but not heavily used since players tend to play earlier in the day.
League Play: DCTC teams participate in both men’s and women’s USTA 3.5 and 4.0 leagues. For the Al Bauer League, DCTC fields both men’s and women’s teams at the 3.5 and 4.0/4.5 level. Both the Al Bauer and USTA matches are held weekly with other clubs in the area. The Desert Super Senior Men’s League features matches for both 60’s and 70’s and participating players range from 4.0 through 5.0. The top players in the Palm Springs area participate in this league with matches played on Tuesdays.
Larry Hunter, who has 20 years teaching experience, has been our Director of Tennis since 1994 and arranges matches for those seeking players of similar ability. His pro shop provides racket stringing and tennis related items and each morning has fresh coffee for those waiting to play.
Steve Vaughan, the head teaching professional with 35 years teaching experience, offers both private lessons and group clinics throughout the day. In 2002, he was the Pacific Northwest USPTA Coach of the Year and in 2009 he was awarded the PNW USPTA Tennis Industry Award.
