WESTFIELD TENNIS CLUB
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*** HISTORY ***
In 1908, a handful of tennis enthusiasts got together and formed the Stanley Oval Tennis Club. A large plot of ground was leased by the group and they built two courts. There was no formal organization, but simply a gentlemen's agreement - those who rolled the courts, put up the nets, filled in the holes in the backstop and paid a small fee - were entitled to play. At the same time in a different part of town (Euclid and North Avenue) another group of gentlemen were enjoying the game at their club - The Terrace Park Club. This Club had more members but due to the topography of the grounds the area was limited in playing space whereas the Stanley Oval site had unlimited potential of facilities. The Clubs shared many activities both social and athletic and in 1915, a decision to merge was made. The Terrace Park Club relinquished their grounds and the Westfield Club came into being.
The first step after the merger was to build four more courts making six in all. Soon the new club became so popular that even the number of courts was inadequate. In the fall of 1919, the owner of the property decided to sell and gave the club the opportunity to purchase the land. Many meetings were held and various plans were discussed - a major decision had to be made. Already $2,000 had been invested in equipment and the site was ideal since it afforded an opportunity to build additional courts and a clubhouse. It was decided by the membership - 150 men and 50 women - to have a voluntary stock subscription plan; a corporation was formed in 1920 to acquire the land called the Westfield Tennis Corporation. It was capitalized at $10,000 divided into one thousand shares. Over $5,000 was raised initially, but due to the high cost of building construction, the sum was inadequate. Then in 1921 a plan was formed requiring the membership of the club to purchase stock in the corporation. In 1923, the corporation purchased 140 feet from the Reeb family on the west side of Chestnut and built courts 10 and 11. An old barn was purchased from the Peddie family on West Broad Street. It was moved, remodeled and continues to this day to be the Clubhouse.
Since 1915 when George Weston captured the Men's Singles and Sinclair/ Ellsworth won the Men's Doubles, the Club has been the site of many tournaments, both inter-club and major invitational matches.
For many years, the highlight of the tournament schedule was the Ann Cumming Memorial inaugural in 1931. Rated as one of the top of its kind in the east, the event carried the New Jersey State Singles Championship for girls under 18 years of age. Among the past winners of this event who later went on to national prominence were Pam Casale, Louise and Marjorie Gengler, the O'Reilly triplets, Caroline Stoll & Terry Phelps.
A Junior Development Program for about 260 junior members is sponsored by the Club each year. It's purpose is to develop tennis skills that include rules of the game, court etiquette, stroke production and improving match play. It encourages both recreational & competitive play to improve individual goals.
The Club is a member of the New Jersey Men's and Women's Tennis Leagues and it's teams compete with other clubs in the area. A paddle court was installed in 1972 and is available from October to April.
The objective of the founders was "to have a club devoted principally to tennis, with good courts, good nets and other equipment, a clubhouse and all as reasonably as possible." Their dedication to the game of tennis and enthusiasm for the club is evident still today among the tennis members.
Distinguished Past Members
The following past members all have tournaments named after them, in recognition of their accomplishments on and off the court at WTC.
E.R. Merry
One of the original Club founders, he served as President for 31 years. He was largely responsible for building it into one of the finest Clubs in the state. He also was a member of many committees of the Eastern Lawn Tennis Association.
Laurence Sinclair
An avid player, he won the men's singles and doubles in the first few years of the Club's existence. He was involved in many Club functions and played tennis actively into his late seventies.
George Esposito
George was President from 1987-1990. He was in charge of the Junior Development Program for many years. A winner of many tournaments, he was a member of the Board for twenty years, and served the Club in many important areas.
June Stevens
She was the first women member of the Board of Governors. She was the first woman to win titles in singles, doubles, mixed doubles and the Merry Tournament.
Archer and Dave Sargent
They are the only brother team to serve on the Board of Governors; both were Club Presidents. In addition, they competed together for many years in singles and doubles tournaments.
Ralph Mease
He served on the Board of Governors for many years including three years as President. He also won the singles and doubles titles and was a four time winner of the parent-junior tournament.