The Ladies of the Court: They Started Getting Together for Tennis 49 Years Ago, and They're Still Going Strong
The Ladies of the Court at the Icona Windrift in June 2023:(back row from left) Lois Hamilton, Margaret Righter, Sandy Slabik, Marge Corson, (front from left) Susan Fullerton, Judy Miller, Pat Sharpless
Guests seated nearby on this early June morning at the ICONA Windrift were enjoying breakfast and were oblivious to the royalty in the room. It’s understandable, because the group could easily be confused as being part of a school or college reunion.
As each person arrived, they were met with multiple greetings, life updates, and warm embraces. There was much to catch up on. One participant left her home at 5am to get there on time. Those in attendance ranged in age up to 90.
But this was no ordinary gathering of acquaintances. No, this group is Seven Mile Beach royalty. They are all members of the Ladies of the Court. The Ladies are a group of adult women comprised mostly of seasonal visitors to the Seven Mile Beach who for decades have shared a love of tennis.
Their love for the game blossomed here beginning in 1974. Quick math, that’s nearly a half century ago. As they tell it, their story began with a single round-robin tournament coordinated by the Stone Harbor Recreation Department and its director at the time, John Roberson.
“We started with just four of us,” one of them explains.
“Then there were eight,” adds another.
“And then it went to 12, 16, it kept growing,” says yet another, each speaking in succession and all said without interrupting each other.
We may not like to admit it, but this all began a long time before the days of Facebook, group texts or cellphones. Back in the ’70s, tennis engagements were handled “the old-fashioned” way. You’d walk, bike or drive over to the Stone Harbor Rec Office and sign up on the sheet posted on the wall.
They credit Roberson for the vertical growth of their play at a time when both Avalon and Stone Harbor were just small beach towns and far less populated than they are today. “John was wonderful,” Lois Hamilton remembers. He’d direct players to the group and as they added more and more players, Roberson would add courts for their play.
The ladies often referred to Roberson as a “giant.” That reference, a compliment, probably was as literal as well as figurative because Roberson towered in physical stature, and he truly was a giant in the world of Southern New Jersey recreation. He oversaw one of the most popular and best-operated recreation programs in the area, one that this group still appreciates nearly 50 years later. That’s an amazing compliment to the legacy of John Roberson.
The Ladies’ tennis play began at the 82nd Street courts before expanding to 97th Street. The 82nd Street location made the Windrift an ideal and convenient home base following play each week. And Windrift’s hospitality was always appreciated by the group. An end-of-season brunch is still of legendary proportions. “We always enjoyed it here,” they go on to explain. “We’d be here every Monday following our games. They always made us feel so welcome.”
The Windrift’s hospitality is still a treasured memory of the Ladies. They apparently made quite an impact as well. A mere mention of them brought an immediate smile to Brian Heenan’s face. Heenan, who oversaw the Windrift’s restaurant operation at the time, had no trouble remembering the group.
“Wow, what a great memory,” he says when asked about them. “They were a special group of ladies and we tried to give them whatever they wanted.”
Mari Coskey, now a councilperson in Avalon, worked at the Windrift as a teen. Her ears perked up when she heard a mention of the group. “Oh my gosh,” she exclaims. “Yes, I remember serving them breakfast. They were always so nice. They’d come in every week. Yes, I can still remember serving them.”
Lost over time is the “Tennis Bagel” created by Heenan and added to the menu as a tribute to the group.
“I’m sure that they’ll remember us,” adds one former player. “Because we always left a good tip – at least a dollar.”
Eventually, the group expanded beyond the tennis court. They eventually added cocktail and dinner parties so spouses would have an opportunity to join in on the camaraderie. Hamilton explains that while the group all had diverse interests, “The commonality that we all shared was tennis.” Friendships were forged for a lifetime.
Most still enjoy the game today, some up to three times a week. Some, though, have other encumbrances on their time, like babysitting grandchildren. But regardless, they all try to stay in touch. That is admittedly easier today than it might have been when they created their sisterhood back in 1974.
Occasionally the conversation strays to a remembrance of friends that they’ve lost over the years. Sadly, time does take its toll.
But almost as quickly, there were miles of smiles once again as they scanned through old photographic prints. No cellphone cameras in 1974. Some photos were more than 30 years old.
“Look at how young we were here, oh my gosh” observes Margaret Righter.
“No one stays the same,” reasons Pat Sharpless.
That’s obviously true, but one thing that has not changed over the past 49 years is the sheer enjoyment that the Ladies of Tennis still get whenever they get together. On the court or off.
So, at least for the Summer of 2023 they will continue to gather on the third Thursday of every month.
And after spending time with them, who could argue with one member’s parting comment: “Ladies, you all still look fabulous! And we always have so much fun together and that’s what it’s all about.”
Game, set, match.