Van Der Meer Shipyard

My husband and I (both 4.5 players) have come for several Drill and Play weekends. We usually come in February before the spring tennis season starts up. We usually only come for the hours of instruction for the weekend and enjoy meals out and other non-​tennis diversions, usually because we are exhausted from the day’s drilling and making sure we get the most out of our time on court.
If you want extra play time (which is difficult to find good pairings at the 4.5 level — most people say they are 4.5’s and aren’t) sign up at Port Royal — where many islanders play and Palmetto Dunes — where the tourists come to play.
Steve Rickard is an amazing organizer and has been on staff here for a long time. I learned my serve from him and will never forget that as it has changed my game. He is personable and friendly and has a fun manner on court. He does an amazing job organizing the weekends and making sure everything runs smoothly, rain or shine.
My favorite pro is Jim, who comes from NY for the winter’s only, I guess while his club is closed. I have gotten so many great tweaks for my game… I can still hear him in my head when I do something wrong. He is the perfect match for me.
Every weekend has been time and money well spent for us. We will be back again and again!

The focus at this facility is instruction. In the form of drills, clinics, and group/​private lessons. There is not a lot of locals or even visitors signing up for play. Best to get your play tennis elsewhere.
Having said that, the coaching is excellent, especially from Dr. Louie. I would eagerly return for another week-​long clinic that he runs, and/​or for private lessons with him, or for any of his group lessons.
Facility itself is a little dated, and no showers available!!!
If you are a graduate of their week-​long clinic, be sure to ask for the 50% discount on lessons/​drills on your return. Like most of the tennis places on the island, they give 50% discounts to locals, or returnees.

This is the second time I have come here for a couple of days of tennis drills, maybe a lesson and hopefully some tennis games. Some turnover in staff since I was here 2years ago, however Louie… a superb teacher… is still here. The morning 2 hour drills were very good and exhausting. They still don’t have any way for guests or visitors to «hook up» to get a tennis game going for later in the day or on those off days when you are not doing drills. It would be so easy to post a Sign Up Sheet with contact info.
When making my reservation I was told about a tennis tournament that weekend and opted to participate rather than do more classes or drills. First match was Friday night. Big mistake. Not enought participants in my level, 3.5, and I was bumped up to 4.0. Not a problem, but my partner (a local guy playing at 3.5 also) and I then drew 2 of the staff (not teaching staff, but 2 young kids who fill in to round tennis groups…) as our opponent. We lost and there was no second round matches for the losing teams. I drove 500 miles for one game and 2 days of drills. You have to ask around on your own to try to find a game.
I will probably explore other tennis options before leaving so that when I come back I will have some choices and not just go where I went last time.
BTW, it didn’t get any better when I signed up for the Sunday Round Robin. I was the only person to show up! Not a fun Sunday morning.