Rancho Santa Fe Tennis Club to mark 50th anniversary

By Karen Billing

The Rancho Santa Fe Tennis Club is gearing up for its 50th Anniversary Celebration party, set for Sunday, Oct. 7. Invitations should be in the mail this week.

The event, which will run from noon to 5 p.m., will feature a family barbecue catered by the Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club, and a tennis exhibition with Tracy Austin, a two-time U.S. Open champion and Wimbledon mixed doubles champion.

Juniors will be treated to a two-hour clinic with Austin from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., followed by a mixed doubles exhibition with Austin and RSF Tennis Club pros Derek Miller, Allie Denike and James Conda at 3 p.m. The barbecue will serve up hamburgers, salads, beer, wine and soft drinks. The celebration will be the closing event of Rancho Days and organizers are hoping to draw 200 to 300 attendees.

Cindy Leonard, the chair of the event, said she is proud of the club and what is has become over the last 50 years.

“The tennis club is just a jewel that we have in the Covenant,” said Leonard. “It’s a place to gather and enjoy some great competition and camaraderie. We’ve got some of the best pros in the county and an incredible juniors program.”

Leonard said all but one of the top juniors players in the county plays on their courts.

“It’s one of the only clubs in San Diego with two Har-Tru clay courts,” echoed Craig McAllister, a past president of the club. “It’s a wonderful place to play tennis…The membership is reasonable and you get to know everyone there.”

Tickets for the celebration are $10 for adults, and $5 for children under 16 in advance. At the door, tickets will be $12 adults, $6 children. To RSVP, call (858) 756-4459.