When The Country Club of Rochester (N.Y.) completed an update of its three paddle courts as part of an ongoing facility-wide $6 million renovation, it welcomed members and guests to watch nationally ranked platform tennis athletes face off in an exhibition match.

There’s no better way to introduce a renovated or entirely new amenity to members than through grand opening events. When The Country Club of Rochester (N.Y.) completed an update of its three paddle courts as part of an ongoing facility-wide $6 million renovation, it welcomed members and guests to watch nationally ranked platform tennis athletes face off in an exhibition match.

On October 23, the Racquet Sports Committee christened the updated paddle courts, which had been resurfaced and received new LED lighting, with an outdoor happy hour. More than 65 members and guests (some from other clubs) indulged in a build-your-own chicken soup bar, and enjoyed passed hors d’oeuvres, including beignets with powdered sugar, Waldorf slider sandwiches and sugar cookies decorated as Viking-brand platform tennis balls.

The club added benches and tables on the large deck surrounding the courts, with plenty of portable heaters to keep the crowd warm. “It felt like you were walking into a nice big tennis match,” says Michael Smith, CCM, General Manager/Chief Operating Officer. “It was like a mini-arena.”

The club’s first paddle court was built in 1968, with two additional courts following shortly after. “It’s a popular winter sport for us,” says Smith. “Platform tennis has really grown nationally, and we’re seeing a nice resurgence here.”

Professional platform tennis players were in town for the weekend to play in the 37th American Platform Tennis Association’s Rochester Open held on the following day. Committee member David Laiacona worked to ensure four players would be available for an exhibition match at the club.
The event also served as an introduction to the club’s new resident paddle tennis professional, Huy Nguyen, who will work with both juniors and adults to continue to grow the program.

“In the Northeast in the winter, there aren’t too many recreation opportunities other than skiing and snowshoeing,” says Laiacona. “Our goal is to increase participation in this sport for all ages, but certainly to expand the opportunity for juniors, so they can grow with the sport.”