Dear Editor,
We are writing in response to the recent editorial in the Rancho Santa Fe Post regarding the planned addition of two tennis courts at the Rancho Santa Fe Tennis Club. Our intent is to correct some of the misconceptions it contained and give a more accurate picture of the genesis of the project and the effects it will have on our Covenant community.
The Tennis Club has seen rapid growth in the past several years, going from 249 members in July of 2020 to 362 members in October 2024. A significant factor in this growth is the community’s enthusiasm for the sport of pickleball. The Club originally had 12 courts for tennis, but we have dedicated one of those courts fully to pickleball and converted another to a hybrid space for both tennis and pickleball. As it stands, we no longer have enough courts to meet the demands of our membership. Once implemented, the current plan will turn the hybrid space into a permanent area for our expanding pickleball membership, while building two new courts to bring us back up to 12 tennis courts.
Contrary to what the editorial claims, our community will not be “losing landscaping and an attractive horse trail.” The horse trail will be preserved, and beautiful landscaping will be added. It is worth noting that both the Trails & Recreation Committee and the Forest Health & Preservation Committee support the proposed project, which has also been approved by the Art Jury.
As to the funding, this project will be paid for by the Tennis Club. It is not funded by assessment dollars.
We appreciate the opportunity to set the record straight.
Signed,
The Rancho Santa Fe Tennis Club Board of Directors: President Deb Gustafson, Vice President Jill Ruzich, Treasurer Greg Wormmeester, Secretary Jeffrey Stafford, Members Pat Dougherty, Scott LaRue, Geoffrey Morris.