About the Club
The Facility
Sedgwick Farm Tennis Club is an outdoor, non-profit, tennis club located in the Sedgwick neighborhood of Syracuse, New York. With 9 red clay courts, a clubhouse (containing locker rooms, common space, deck, and kitchen), and grounds, the club brings Wimbledon-era elegance to tennis. The facility is meticulously groomed by club members and staff.
The Organization
Traditional, yes, but also forward-looking. Whether it’s in installing high-tech lines from Europe or in working with the Dunbar Association of Syracuse to inspire new generations of tennis-fever, the board, membership, and staff of Sedgwick Farm Tennis Club is active and creative. We are dedicated to spreading the love of tennis and building tennis community in Central New York.
Club History
Club History…
The Sedgwick Farm Tennis Club opened in June 1897, at the northeast corner of Brattle Road and Sedgwick Drive. There were 8 clay courts and a small clubhouse.
In 1899, the club hosted its first New York State Championship. It was so successful, the tournament returned to the club in 1900. Among the players were Malcolm Whitman (National Champion in 1898, 1899 and 1900), Fred Alexander and William Hackett (National Doubles Champions), R.D. Little, Beals Wright (National Champion in 1905), and other leading players of the day.
In 1907, the club premises were traded for the present location at 422 DeWitt Street. A new, larger clubhouse was built and ready to use for the 1908 season.
The club flourished at its new location. In addition to 10 of the finest clay courts in the eastern U.S., there was a large three-story clubhouse which contained squash courts, bowling alleys, a ballroom and a dining room. The Thursday night dinners were highlights for many years. Among the many famous tennis players who played at the club were “Big Bill” Tilden and Frank Shields (grandfather of Brooke Shields).
The old clubhouse was razed in 1949 and a small, one-story clubhouse was built, utilizing some of the original stone foundation. The building was renovated with a second floor added between the 1965 and 1966 seasons.
The area now occupied by Courts 1 through 5 has been in constant play since 1908. Courts 6 through 10 were allowed to “go to grass” during World War II. Their refurbishment began in the late 1950s with the clearing of Courts 7, 8 and 9.
The club was very active in the 60′s and 70′s when tennis was in vogue. Then, references were required, there was a waiting list for membership and an initiation fee was in effect. At present, interest in tennis has cooled somewhat and the club is more accessible to new members.
Sedgwick Farm Tennis Club continued to be active in the ’80s and ’90s. Jimmy Arias, winner of the Italian Open and once ranked number 3 in the world, played on our courts. Pete Sampras sent a congratulatory note to the club on its 100th anniversary in 1997.
The club has no debt and is running a small surplus. It is selectively seeking members in order to support both competitive and recreational tennis and to fully utilize its facilities.
Tennis everyone!
View an the historical photo gallery 1 here, and gallery 2 here.
Become a part of history, Join today.
Officers
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Larry Bousquet
PRESIDENT
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James Carmer
VICE PRESIDENT (Facilty/Grounds)
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Dave Schlosser
TREASURER
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Tom Brockelman
SECRETARY
Board Members
Jake Barrett
Larry Bousquet
Marty Clark
Sam Corso
Lou Anne Colaneri
Ron Ferguson
Nathanael Kelley
Jill Pitts
Bill Louer
Dave Schlosser
Jessica Schlosser
Robert Thorpe
James Vacco
Andy Wallenstein
Lesley Wilcox
COMMITTEES
Membership: Committee of Entire Board
Memorial Day: Bill Louer & Wil Murtaugh
Fall Fundraiser: Ron Ferguson
Breakfast at Wimbledon: Louanne Colaneri & Meg Aufmuth
Grounds & Courts: Jamie Carmer, Jake Barrett, Steve Pekich & Dave Schlosser
Symphonics: Steve Pekich & Meg Aufmuth
Finance: Dave Schlosser, Larry Bousquet & Marty Clark
Marketing, Social Media & Public Relations: Jessica Schlosser, Andy Wallenstein, Larry Bousquet & Ron Ferguson
Website: Edgar Javier, Tison Kelley
Summer Tennis Camp: Jessica Schlosser, Tom Brockelman & Jamie Carmer
