Royal Melbourne Country Club Celebrates Grand Opening of New Platform Tennis Courts and Social House

Addition of New Premier Lifestyle Amenities Mark Latest Enhancements as Part of Club’s Larger Extensive Improvement Project

LONG GROVE, Ill., Feb. 29, 2024 – Royal Melbourne Country Club celebrated the opening of four new state-of-the-art platform tennis courts and a social house equipped with a bar and bistro kitchen, marking the completion of the latest phase of the club’s larger extensive improvement project aimed at enhancing the overall member and guest experience. The addition of the platform tennis courts and social house follow the opening of two new pickleball courts, as well as improvements to Royal Melbourne’s 42,000-square-foot clubhouse, both of which were unveiled  in August 2023.

The four new heated and lit paddle tennis courts, which are now open for member and guest play, add to Royal Melbourne’s premier racquet sports complex that already features the two pickleball courts, four Har-Tru tennis courts, a tennis pro shop that offers same-day racquet stringing, repair and customization, and a viewing deck. In addition, the new courts complement the club’s Greg Norman-designed golf course, expansive practice facility, Junior Olympic pool and full-service clubhouse.

USPTA Elite Professional and Director of Racquet Sports Mike Lardino and his talented teaching team will leverage their vast experience in building one of the area’s top country club tennis programs to create a robust calendar of both paddle tennis and pickleball programming that will include clinics, camps, lessons, leagues and social events for players of all ages and skill levels.

The social house that features a bar and bistro kitchen will serve the racquet sports complex year-round. In the winter months, it will act as a warming hut and a place for players to gather and be able to serve nearly 40 people in its enclosed dining area. In the summer, it will be a welcome addition to the club’s pool and aquatics center and capacity will climb to more than 200 guests as a result of a newly built outdoor patio and expanded pool deck.

“To see our grand vision finally come to fruition is truly remarkable, and we are so excited to share it with our members and their families,” said Chris Stewart, KemperSports general manager at Royal Melbourne Country Club. “From the moment we embarked on this project following the celebration of our 30th anniversary, our focus was on writing the story of the next 30 years at Royal Melbourne. With paddle tennis and pickleball now in the mix and a new central gathering place and food and beverage operation, I fully believe the next 30 years will be incredibly special. We look forward to doing all we can to continue enhancing the member and guest experience here at Royal Melbourne.”

As we leap into a new era at Royal Melbourne Country Club we’re introducing a Social Sport membership that includes access to all racquet sports, the pool, dining and social events.

“The No. 1 goal of this entire club enhancement project was to take our members, families and guests’ experience to the next level,” said Steve Skinner, CEO of KemperSports, which has proudly managed and owned Royal Melbourne since its debut in 1992. “We believe the addition of all these new premier lifestyle amenities paired with our commitment to delivering first-class service will go a long way in doing just that, and we are excited to begin a new chapter in the club’s rich history.”

For more information on Royal Melbourne Country Club and membership options, visit www.royalmelbourne.net.

###

About Royal Melbourne Country Club:

Royal Melbourne Country Club in Long Grove, Ill. combines understated elegance with a contemporary attitude. Distinguished by its diverse membership, phenomenal golf experience, fun recreational activities and year-round social events, the club serves as a chosen venue for weddings, special occasions and more. Carved into the surroundings of wetlands, ponds, prairies and trees, the 18-hole, par-72 Greg Norman-designed golf course combines the beauty of sport with the beauty of nature. Members not only experience the challenge of the game in the way it was meant to be played, but they also get to do so in a lushly landscaped atmosphere inhabited by several forms of local wildlife. Additionally, since opening in 1992, the club and its members have supported a robust caddie program that has provided young caddies a pathway to the prestigious Evans Scholarship. Royal Melbourne Country Club features a host of other amenities, including tennis, junior activities, aquatics, dining and a 42,000 square foot Victorian clubhouse. For more information, visit www.royalmelbourne.net.

 

About KemperSports:

KemperSports is a leading sports, entertainment and hospitality company that delivers operational excellence in property and experience management. Headquartered in Chicago with regional offices throughout the U.S., KemperSports manages more than 140 golf courses, private clubs, sports venues, and destination resorts nationwide. It has more golf properties named among the top 100 U.S. public and resort courses as rated by GOLF Magazine, Golf Digest and Golfweek than any other management company. For more information about KemperSports, visit www.kempersports.com.

 

Join the KemperSports social media conversation at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

 

Media Contact:

B.R. Koehnemann, KemperSports

brkoehnemann@kempersports.com | 847-421-4537