Van Der Meer Tennis is a world renowned tennis facility located on beautiful Hilton Head Island, SC. We have two wonderful facilities on the Island that service our valued customers. Our PTR certified coaches offer unmatched instruction. We offer outstanding programs to all ages and abilities. We are also home to the Van Der Meer Tennis Academy, an internationally acclaimed program for tournament players (junior, collegiate, touring pro).
The man behind the company is Dennis Van der Meer. Born in Namibia (South West Africa), Dennis grew up with a love for the game. His missionary family moved the family to Cape Town, South Africa when he was 6 years old and his tennis playing career took off. However, during Davis Cup trials, he faultered and his coach suggested teaching for a while after a devistating lose. He fell in love with coaching and never looked back!
As an aspiring tennis coach, Dennis made a name for himself in his home country and word spread to the United States. In 1961, he traveled to Berkley, CA to work and learn under well-respected Tom Stow at the Berkely Tennis Club. He helped develop many future stars of the tennis world.
During that time, Dennis formed relationships with many of tennis' elite, including Margaret Court and Billie Jean King. He would go on to coach them for their famous Battle of the Sexes matches with Bobby Riggs.
In 1973, he and Billie Jean King founded Tennis America, a corporation designed to bring tennis to the masses. While running these camps and clinics, Dennis and Billie realized there needed to be a common teaching philosophy. Van Der Meer TennisUniversity, a course for teachers, was created to help speed up this process. This was followed closely by Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) and the Professional Tennis Registry Foundation. There are currently 13,000 certified members of this global organization based on learning by progressions of the OFFICIAL STANDARD METHOD.
By 1979, Dennis officially moved the company to Hilton Head Island after many visits to the beautiful Island.
Dennis grew the business to include programs for all ages and abilities, TennisUniversity courses (teaching courses), and formed the Van Der Meer Tennis Academy.
Today, Dennis is known as "the pro's pro" as he has taught more people how to play tennis than anyone in the history of the game. He has received countless accolades including induction into several USTA Halls of Fame (South Carolina, Southern and Northern California). He also received the Tennis and Education Merit Award from the International Hall of Fame and an honorary doctorate from the University of Greenwich, England just to name a few.
He continues to oversee the business with his wife, Pat, who is the Co-Director of the Van Der Meer Tennis Academy and one of the first registered WTA coaches.
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