Tennis Hot Spots: Omni Resorts and Cliff Drysdale Tennis Continue to Raise the Bar
Staying at an Omni Resort provides a number of incredible amenities for guests to enjoy. Whether you’re looking for a world class meal, a round of golf, drinks by the pool, or a luxury spa day, there is always something new and fresh to indulge in. All of those things could encompass an incredible vacation, family trip, or weekend getaway. But if you’re looking for our advice on how to spend your time, there’s no better way than to head down to the racquet facilities for some tennis and pickleball fun.
Spend a summer day at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa, where borderline perfect weather is met with some of the busiest court activity in the entire state of California. Both members and resort guests fill the schedule from sunrise to when the lights shut off. Bryce Cunningham, Director of Racquets, leads a team of 10 full time tennis and pickleball professionals that offer elite instruction, programming and camps. Junior Summer Camp at Omni La Costa is so popular that Cunningham starts a waitlist in February.
“We have an amazing group of our regular junior players, parents who want to get their kids into tennis, and resort guests who sign up for multiple weeks of camp,” said Cunningham. “We’ve tried to offer more spots each year, but honestly it can’t get any bigger because we really value our camper to coach ratio. Our staff is what makes this camp special.”
Regardless of your level of play, you’ll find an adult clinic or open play session that’s right for you. The best part? You can play on either hard or clay courts. There are only a handful of clubs in California that offer multiple surfaces year round. La Costa fields numerous USTA and local club leagues, many of which have gone on to compete and win at the sectional and national levels. Of course, there’s much more than just tennis, with Pickleball Professional Cammy MacGregor leading the coaching efforts for La Costa’s bustling pickleball program.
Just a short drive northeast to the desert and you’ll find Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa, another Cliff Drysdale Tennis managed resort that hosts one of the most unique events in the United States. Tennis With The Stars returned in 2022, with Elina Svitolina, Gael Monfils, the Bryan Brothers, Frances Tiafoe, Jessica Pegula and others joining forces to raise money for the Ukrainian refugee crisis.
The event offers select players an opportunity to play with and against the world’s best during a “Thrills and Drills Clinic”, as well as a celebrity pro-am. January through April is absolutely incredible weather and we highly recommend attending the BNP Paribas Open in March, arguably the most fan friendly tennis tournament in the world. Summer in Rancho Mirage can get toasty, but the resort has three great pool options; the Azure adults only pool, Splashtopia waterpark for the kids, and a little extra tranquility at the Spa pool. Vicente Ferrer leads the racquets program at Rancho Las Palmas, which features daily clinics and lessons for both tennis and pickleball.
Looking for East Coast destinations? We round out our Tennis Hot Spots with the #1 ranked U.S. Adult Tennis Camp at Omni Amelia Island Resort. Just 30 minutes from Jacksonville, Amelia Island puts you in a new world where your priorities shift from work to play. The stunning beaches are the perfect retreat after a day on the Har-Tru courts at Racquet Park. Director of Racquets Rob Wright leads a team of over 10 tennis and pickleball professionals.
“Tennis here at Omni Amelia Island Resort has incredible tradition, from pro tournaments to world class instruction, and we pride ourselves on constantly evolving our methods to keep guests engaged,” said Wright. The resort offers annual Doubles Boot Camps in January and February, a Ladies Retreat in October, and custom group camps for all 52 weeks of the year.
What separates these three Omni Resorts from other tennis destinations? According to Scott Colebourne, CEO of Cliff Drysdale Tennis, it’s the longstanding relationships and our staff.
“My time as Director of Racquets at Omni Amelia Island Resort is where I really learned what it meant to be a team player,” said Colebourne. “When we have a team of pros who are working together to deliver tennis experiences rather than just having individuals doing their own thing, that’s where we really stand out. Omni Hotels & Resorts has supported us every step along the way, and I’m excited about what the future holds for these properties.”