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Club History
There were no public courts on the peninsula in the early 1950's and tennis players sometimes carried their own nets to private courts at Malaga Cove school or Manhattan Beach. In April of 1959 a dozen people met to discuss the possibility of providing a tennis facility in Palos Verdes Estates. They left that meeting with a goal of contacting all residents interested in supporting that goal. A telephone campaign successfully convinced hundreds to attend a meeting on June 23, 1959, at Malaga School cafetorium. Don Miloe chaired that historic meeting, and the late Fred Hartley of Union Oil was present and contributed several helpful suggestions. Five dollars was requested as earnest money, and our cooperative effort towards a PVE Tennis Center was underway!
 

A proposed leasing of the City of Parkland to the P.V. Tennis Foundation was presented to the P.V.E. City Council on March 8, 1960. This was the result of work done by attorney Don Hitchcock who drew up the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws proposing a non-profit organization for the purpose of the advancement of tennis facilities and activities for the youth and adults of the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

A meeting was held at Harry Brandel's residence to discuss the financial and legal responsibilities of such a facility. The bank required $50,000 on deposit before any agreements regarding use of city land would be considered. These assets were obtained as a result of hours of telephoning and generous "angels" who loaned $1000 each.

The first concession agreement between the City of Palos Verdes Estates and PVTC was signed on March 14, 1961, and a second modified agreement was signed on March 26. All activities of the Palos Verdes Tennis Club are under the jurisdiction of the City of Palos Verdes Estates.

After these agreements were signed, the struggle to raise funds began. In order to build courts, $350 was needed from some 150 prospective members. After canvassing PVE thoroughly, the committee was still short, so non-PVE residents were sold memberships to reach the desired goal. The first dues were $7 per month!

No history of Palos Verdes Tennis Club would be complete without mentioning the first president - Don Miloe; the first pro - Jack Weber; the club's prime mover - Jack Kahlo, whose dedicated service kept many people together; and the first Board of Directors: Anne Brandel, Mitch Dazey, Vi Graham, Don Knight, and Barbara Young, niece of Janet Young, whose plaque is embedded next to court one. It is impossible to recall and acknowledge the work of so many!

On July 20, 1963, five courts (now courts 1 through 5) and a small pro shop were opened, and the first sets of doubles were played. Three additional courts (courts 6 through 8) were built in 1965, and in December of that year over 300 peninsula children attended the first free tennis clinic under the direction of Jack Weber. Courts 9 and 10 were added in 1971, and courts 11 and 12 were built in 1978. The clubhouse was dedicated and presented to the city in 1970.

The 25th anniversary of Palos Verdes Tennis Club was celebrated in July 1988. After having had six previous pros - Jack Weber, Howard Johnson, Keith Nielsen, John Hildebrand, Eric Troll, and Skip Redondo; and many presidents who are listed on the plaques in the clubhouse; we have a great club with twelve courts and over 400 members. Pedro Alipio is now our Head Pro, and John Hall is the General Manager.

© 2013 Palos Verdes Tennis Club