About Sharon Tennis Club
Sharon Tennis Club has served the tennis community in and around Sharon for more than 100 years. Our articles of incorporation state our purpose: “To establish, within the town of Sharon, a physical recreation facility for fostering, encouraging, or engaging in the playing of tennis, and to promote athletic exercise, physical fitness, and civic pride.”
Nestled in the pines near Sharon town center, STC offers affordable family-friendly tennis on five expertly maintained red clay tennis courts. Members enjoy unlimited play in a sociable and inviting atmosphere. The club opens in April and closes in November, weather permitting. Players of all abilities are welcome. Our homey, rustic atmosphere offers members a respite from the hectic lifestyle of everyday life.
HISTORY
The club was formed in the early 1900’s, by a few individuals interested in playing tennis regularly. Initially located on private property owned by Dr. Walter A. Griffin, the club started with just one court. According to an article written by Richard Hosmer in the book, “Sharon, Massachusetts – A History,” the site in the woods was selected because of its privacy that permitted Sunday tennis. Many people had frowned upon such activities on the Sabbath.
Originally there was a small clubhouse and a water tower which was filled with water pumped from Beaver Brook and used to moisten the clay courts. (Note the pump in this picture).
In the 1920’s the town acquired the land encompassing the club, in order to protect the surrounding wetlands and wellheads, with the stipulation that the club would be allowed to continue. Since that time, the club has operated continuously, leasing the land on which the club is located from the town.
A second court was added in the 1920’s. The final, fifth court was added during the 1970’s tennis craze. Sharon Tennis Club, Inc. was established as a non-profit corporation in 1991.
For 120+ years, the club has continued to serve the local tennis community with a culture of friendship and camaraderie that harkens back to an earlier time.
WHAT WE OFFER
- Unlimited play with no court fees
- A variety of structured and unstructured programs, including singles, doubles and mixed-doubles tournaments, round robins, and drop-in doubles.
- Social tennis events
- Lessons and clinics.
JOINING THE CLUB
We offer three types of memberships: Individual (Adult), Junior, and Family. Members pay annual dues which cover the costs of court and facilities maintenance, capital improvements and support for member activities. We keep our dues low to make it affordable for all to join.
If you do not know a member and wish to visit the club, please contact us and we will arrange for your visit.
GUEST POLICY
We welcome you to try out our courts as the guest of a member. If you do not know an existing member, please contact us, and we will arrange for your visit. Guests are limited to five visits per year. There is a $5 fee per guest visit, payable by the sponsoring member.
CLUB MANAGEMENT AND GOVERNANCE
We have two part time maintenance personnel, a club pro, and plenty of volunteers to whom we are grateful for helping to organize and run events.
The club is a non-profit corporation managed by a five-person Board of Trustees, who are elected annually.
Current members of the Board of Trustees are:
President – Dan Smith
Treasurer – Susan Purdue
Secretary – Victor Brown
Member at Large – Scott Zenack
Past President – Eduardo Nilni