CHAIRMAN’S LETTER

Dear Members and Guests,

The large wood and glass trophy case, which takes up most of a wall, reflects a long and distinguished career in tennis. On display are crystal bowls, silver trophies, embossed plaques, framed letters of recognition. These are the property of a tennis star — but not, perhaps, as you might imagine. This trophy case can be found in the second-floor lounge area of the racquet club at Brookhaven Country Club near Dallas. Its contents represent nearly 50 years of Brookhaven’s dedication to growing the game of tennis. And now, the club staff needs to make room in the case for yet another addition.

Racquet Sports Industry magazine has named Brookhaven as the top private tennis facility in the United States. The story announcing the ranking, which appeared in the magazine’s November/December 2005 issue, provided a well-deserved holiday present for the club and its 40 Employee Partners. In its story, the magazine notes: “Brookhaven’s 41 courts are impeccably maintained; its tennis programs (for juniors and adults) are active and alive; the staff is well-trained and oriented to customer service; and the pro shop is one of the best in the country.” These are big compliments. But I judge the Brookhaven racquet club’s success by what I hear when I walk in the front door — laughter.

Billy Freer, Brookhaven’s director of racquet sports, and his staff make the game of tennis fun.

As Billy told Racquet Sports Industry magazine: “It’s all about building relationships, getting to know your members, and enriching lives. When new members join, it’s our job to quickly integrate them.”

My late father, ClubCorp founder Robert Dedman, would be proud to hear Billy’s words — he loved tennis and realized its importance as one of the few sports you can play for a lifetime.

As the trophy case indicates, this honor is just the most recent in Brookhaven’s history. In early 2003, the club was named as the U.S. Tennis Association’s National Tennis Organization of the Year. The list of awards goes on and on. … Some behind-the-scenes contributions, however, are not on display, like Brookhaven’s tremendous service to the tennis community by donating facilities for amateur and charity tournaments. And Billy is quick to credit his entire staff for the club’s success. More than 15 pros, led by Dave Anderson (a 12-year Brookhaven veteran) and Dave Ware (22 years at Brookhaven), take the time to get to know each of the 1,200 tennis members. Club manager Ross Thornbrugh says the staff “has certainly learned how to do things right.”

Seems the only thing left to say is “thanks and congratulations, Brookhaven!”

Robert H. Dedman Jr.
Chairman of the Board
ClubCorp