Tennis has always been an integral part of life at Hermitage Country Club - even when Hermitage was known for its first sixteen years as Hermitage Golf Club. Shortly after the formation of the Club, two tennis courts were constructed for member play, with a third added shortly thereafter. In 1905 Hermitage members organized a major regional tournament called the "Old Dominion Tennis Tournament," which was played annually for many years. The Club provided trophies for the champions which were known as the "Hermitage Challenge Cups."
When the Club moved to Hilliard Road, tennis facilities were always part of the plans. The Articles of Incorporation for Hermitage Country Club, Inc., adopted in 1916, has listed as the first purpose for which the new corporation was formed as: "For the promotion of golf, tennis, and other open-air and athletic sports of all kinds..." Just as at Broad Street, tennis courts were constructed and ready for play within a year of the Club's move. In fact, at the Club's first annual meeting at Hilliard Road, it was reported that the tennis courts "are in unusually fine shape for new courts and invited all those who enjoy tennis to try them out." Over time, a separate tennis club - a club within a club - developed at Hermitage.
At Hilliard Road the Club permitted a third-party to care for the operation of the tennis courts. This job fell to a dentist, Dr. Orville Lehman, who maintained the courts for many years. Hermitage members would pay a separate "membership" fee to play on the Hermitage courts. This fee in 1941 was $30 for a six-month playing season. In 1956, four of the eight courts were lost to the new swimming pool, however, in 1963 the Club improved the four remaining courts, built two new HarTru courts and constructed a building near the courts to serve as a pro shop and as dressingrooms.
Although the early Club was more active in statewide tennis, tennis competition after the Second World War at Hermitage generally took the form of friendly inter-club matches, member-guest tournaments, and club championships, but few members ever competed at the top levels in the state. Among those leading the Club's efforts organizationally and in competitions were John Leard, Jimmy Gray, and Allen Carli. One member, Martha Beddingfield, won the high school state championship in the 1970s, was twice a College All-American, and was ranked nationally. Another member, Craig Dawson, won the tennis championship of the United States Armed Forces in 1978.
When the Club moved to Broad Run, four HarTru courts were constructed and ready for play in 1973. Five years later Hermitage added two new hard surface and two HarTru courts. Among the Club champions at this time were Bill Deekens, Jim Liles, and Jimmy Gray. Liles would go on to dominate the men's singles winning more than ten times in the 1980s and 1990s. The Women's singles championship similarly featured a dominant player in recent years as Cheryl Law won the ladies title more often than not during the years since her first victory in 1988.
Tennis at the Hermitage for the last decade has been characterized largely by excellent professional guidance by Mike Norris and Mark Bernstine and a vigorous women's program with numerous teams competing in suburban leagues and two United States Tennis Association teams. More recently, Hermitage hosted the Trigon Championships - a "senior" tour that brought tennis greats like Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe, and Jimmy Connors to Manakin-Sabot. As the Hermitage tennis players look at the next century, their once dream of an indoor facility - has arrived. Players are now active in both indoors and outdoors. Be sure to come out and and see some great play at Hermitage.
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