ENCINITAS — Longtime members of the San Dieguito Tennis Club say it has always been about more than tennis.
Sure, the private club has welcomed high-level competitions and athletes to its 5-acre facility nestled into the cliffs above El Camino Real, but social chair Linda Goldsmith said that’s just the beginning.
“Come for the tennis, stay for the friendships,” Goldsmith said.
The club, founded in 1966, will celebrate its 60th anniversary Sept. 19 with an event occupying courts one and two. More than 150 members are expected to attend, including surviving founding members such as Brenda Humphreys.
Humphreys said the club emerged from a passionate tennis scene in Cardiff-by-the-Sea in the 1960s. Before founding the club, the group played at Glen Park but quickly felt it needed more than the single court available then.
The group petitioned the county government for more courts — Encinitas was still more than 20 years away from incorporation — but was turned down.
“We were very fortunate that we had several families that had the foresight and the means – the money – and we wanted to build a tennis club,” Humphreys said.
For $12,000, the group purchased 2.5 acres along El Camino Real. The San Dieguito Tennis Club incorporated and set its original membership dues at $300, with monthly fees of $10.
“In those days it was very difficult, especially for young families to come up with $300,” Humphreys said.
She added that Al Childs of Solana Beach Lumber provided pro bono accounting services, while Burton Shamsky provided legal assistance free of charge to the burgeoning club.
“Everybody volunteered,” Humphreys said. “Every weekend, we had a work crew. Members would come and volunteer and do everything.
“I personally tied steel in these courts … We put up the screens, painted everything.”
The club formally opened its doors in 1966 with 44 owner-members. At the time, the club included four tennis courts, a one-story clubhouse, locker rooms and a swimming pool.
Over the years, it evolved, adding three courts in 1972 after purchasing additional land in 1968, 1969 and 1972 for a total of $34,000. The club added two more courts in 1985, as well as lights to several existing courts around that time.
The clubhouse later added an upper level. The addition was controversial at the time and approved by members in a 51-49 vote, but it has since become a beloved part of the club.
“This is like a little treehouse,” Goldsmith said. “We’re like a family and this is our family room.”
‘Potluck family style’
Brad Humphreys, Brenda’s husband, joined the club in the late 1960s and served as its tennis professional from 1970 until his retirement in 2014.
“I taught some four generations,” Brad said. “It’s pretty amazing how tennis is a big part of families and that you can literally play tennis your whole life. You can play with your kids, you can play with your grandchildren.”
The professional players who have competed on the courts on the hill include Taylor Fritz, currently ranked among the world’s top 10, and 11-time major champion Rod Laver.
Courts 1 and 2 at the San Dieguito Tennis Club in Encinitas. Courtesy photo/Linda Goldsmith
The club has hosted numerous U.S. Tennis Association-sanctioned tournaments and other high-level competitions.
Among its notable USTA events, the club has hosted the annual San Dieguito Junior Open Championships, featuring singles and doubles divisions, as well as adult league matches.
Members say that despite the high level of competition, good company and good food have been club staples throughout its 60-year history.
“Food goes with everything here,” Brad said. “We even had a cookbook.”
“Members make the food, it’s so lovely,” Goldsmith said. “It’s potluck family style.”
The club hosted an annual pig-roast luau, where children pitched tents, camped out and roasted marshmallows.
“Our children all grew up in the swimming pool,” Brenda said.
Members also set off fireworks during Fourth of July celebrations.
“In those days we were allowed to do more things than you can do here today,” Brenda said with a laugh. “Today you couldn’t shoot off fireworks and do all that here.”
The club has hosted blood drives, Toys for Tots collections and events supporting victims of domestic violence.
“I just feel like our club has played a tremendous role in the community,” Brad said. “As far as I know, we have a perfect reputation.”
In 1998, the USTA recognized San Dieguito as its Tennis Club of the Year. The U.S. Professional Tennis Association presented the club with the same honor in 2011.
Juan Garcia now serves as the club’s head professional, leading what he described as a membership with many international influences.
“A lot of the members have gone from playing juniors here to playing division one tennis and professional,” Garcia said. “Its a good pathway.”
Member Jane Sanders said many original members have kept their shares, even if they no longer play.
“They don’t want to lose their connection to this club,” Sanders said. “It’s just a lot of fun out here.”
She added that someone once approached the club with an offer to buy it from the members.
“This clubhouse was packed with people who said, ‘no, we are not for sale,’” Sanders said.
“No amount of money can replace this,” Brenda said.
