Carmel Country Club, Charlotte, N.C.
The award-winning tennis complex at Carmel CC pleases social crowds and active players alike.
While golf served for many years as the backbone of clubs and resorts across the country, tennis has enjoyed a resurgence recently as another important way for properties to attract men, women and children. As a result, clubs’ tennis facilities have expanded to become much more than just a few courts, and now serve as bustling social and recreational facilities for those on and off the court.
| Carmel Country Club Charlotte, N.C.  Carmel Country Club, Charlotte, N.C. Tennis Facility Opened: 2012 |
Renovated from 2011-2012, the 8,000-sq. ft. tennis complex at Carmel Country Club in Charlotte, N.C., has 12 courts, multiple viewing decks and spacious courtside gathering areas. Additionally, a newly remodeled, two-story tennis center houses more viewing areas, a tennis lounge, snack area, locker rooms, restrooms and a pro shop.
Prior to the renovation, the club’s tennis center had a lackluster tennis clubhouse and 11 courts that simply didn’t flow well. “The spacing of the courts wasn’t good, the fences weren’t great, the layout and landscaping didn’t fit and we didn’t have a lot of observation areas,” says John Schultz, CCM, General Manager. “If you have a poor facility, people will go somewhere else to play tennis—we didn’t want that happening.”
The goal of Carmel CC’s tennis renovation was to create an exceptional and attractive tennis complex that would bring members together and encourage families to play tennis. One of the most important changes was in the layout of the courts and their proximity to the tennis clubhouse. “There is a central ‘spine’ that goes up through the center of the court area that connects the building to all of the courts,” says Schultz. “It is only 400 feet from the furthest court to the clubhouse. That is a very reasonable distance to the activity center of the complex, and it allows for a lot of connectivity among members.”
This central “spine” also provides space for a number of courtside viewing and gathering areas, around wooden trellis and pergola structures. “Tennis courts can often be sterile in style, but these features provide shade and comfort and a more welcoming feel,” says Schultz.
The pergolas and trellises also complement the architectural style of Carmel’s other outdoor areas, such as its pool.
“These design details further established a consistent look for the entire property and helped it all blend together,” says Schultz.
The seating and viewing areas throughout the complex have a combination of Adirondack chairs, Brown Jordan Campaign chairs and small tables. A patio on the first level of the tennis clubhouse is set up as a traditional outdoor dining area with appropriate seating, and this space is also used for functions, parties and events, such as ladies’ teams, men’s nights and member-guest events. “We designed it so the tennis function and social areas were near the courts,” says Schultz.
Carmel Country Club, Charlotte, N.C.
The courts themselves were also upgraded; there are now two hard courts and ten courts that feature HydroCourt technology, with a self-regulating irrigation system that decreases maintenance and increases court playability, regardless of weather conditions. During the renovation, the club built a well to supply the water needed for the underground HydroCourt system—that investment was paid back within two years, Schultz says, because there are now no water costs.
Carmel CC’s new tennis complex has been extremely popular among members and guests for both regular tennis play and social functions and events.
Additionally, the club was one of 19 winners of the United States Tennis Association Facility Awards Program in 2013, which recognizes excellence in construction and/or renovation of tennis facilities.
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