FAQ

What is the Club’s open season?

     Our season begins in April and runs through November.  Each of the courts have entry gates that can be accessed using a key that is provided to members.  When the club closes in November, the tennis and pickleball nets are removed, and the locks are changed, preventing access until the Club reopens in April.  The bathrooms remain closed during the months of April and November when risk of freezing conditions exist.

Who manages the Club?

     We are a private club managed by member volunteers.  Our Officers and Directors provide leadership to ensure a strategic vision that moves the club forward.  There are several committees that organize our tournaments, clinics, organized play and social events.  Members are encouraged to get involved in the volunteer effort.  If you would like to serve on a committee, please contact a Board member or a committee chair.  We also have a volunteer sign up for members who want to help with court and grounds maintenance activities.

What are the Club’s values and vision?

     We recognize our role in the Pentwater community as delivering emotional and social benefits of exercise at a reasonable cost of membership.  We strive to embrace relationships with Pentwater summer residents and repeat visitors.  Our clinics, tournaments and daily organized play all promote the fun of lifetime sports with health smart benefits – physical, mental and emotional.  It’s never too late for people of all ages to start playing tennis or pickleball.  The key is to start playing now to make the most of these benefits throughout your lifetime!

How does the Club receive funding? 

     As a private club, we receive no funding from public entities such as Village of Pentwater.  Our members and friends of the club are the sole source of financial support, which comes in the form of annual dues, assessments and donations. 

Why is there an ongoing capital campaign?

     Since the Club’s inception in 1973, our membership has grown from approximately (25) member units, to more than (130).  Because we’ve always felt the need to keep annual dues very low, our recurring infrastructure costs over the years have tended to to exceed our reserves, often requiring the institution of a capital campaign to fund project requirements.  Such an instance was the spring of 2020, when a capital campaign was launched to make substantial enhancements to our facilities.  The Board graciously thanks our list of supporters for their contributions to date! 

What improvements have been funded by the current capital campaign?

     Contributions to date have partially funded a list of completed improvements as follows:

1. 1. Resurfacing of tennis courts 5 & 6 in 2020; 
      
   2. Facelift and renovation of our clubhouse, kitchen and restroom facilities in 2020;
   3. Complete rebuild of tennis courts 3 & 4 in 2021;
   4. Conversion of tennis courts 1 & 2 into to six permanent pickleball courts with divided fencing in 2021;
   5. Expansion of our parking lot in 2021.
      
   6. New cement walkways, and a large cement slab were added in 2022.

What further contributions are needed to cover costs for already completed improvements?

     The capital campaign started in 2020 has been a major success with $93,460 in pledges and $89,877 in payments received to date.  But we haven’t yet covered the entire cost of our completed improvements.  To bridge this shortfall, a generous member of the Club recently extended a low-interest loan to cover the remaining amount.  In hopes of paying off this loan as soon as possible, additional pledges of at least $30K are needed.  The campaign is slated to conclude with the Club’s 50th Anniversary celebration in 2023. 

∞  If you haven’t yet made a pledge, please consider doing so using the attached form  ∞
∞  Contributions may be sent to: PTPC, P0 Box 403, Pentwater, MI 49449  ∞ 

What is the direction of the Club?

     We are working to bring together like minded people from the Pentwater community to achieve extensive use of the facilities, and a healthy membership.  Bold steps were taken beginning in 2020 to ensure the Club’s well-being into the future.  Our work in 2021 to facilitate (6) permanent pickleball courts had a very positive impact, as many new members have been added since that time.  For 2023 and beyond, we’ll continue looking for ways to increase the available options for organized play and social events. 

What is the Capital Reserve Assessment?

     In the interest of minimizing any potential reliance on capital campaigns in future years, an annual “Capital Reserve Special Assessment” was approved during our 2021 Annual Meeting.  The periodic resurfacing of our courts, and other recurring infrastructure requirements have historically been initiated on 6-7 year cycle.  The goal is to accumulate reserve amounts adequate to fund based on that project interval expectation.  Starting in 2022 and continuing for a period of seven years, a small assessment amount will be added to the annual dues for each membership.  This will be held in reserve for future capital improvement projects of the Club.  

How is court time made available to the public, and how can members host their guests?

     Our visitor/ guest policy is outlined in detail here.

How do I schedule court time?

     Daily organized activities always take priority for use of our court facilities.  Any other use of the facilities is offered on a walk-up/ first-come/ first-served priority.  The courts remain lightly used in the afternoons, so this is the best time to target for walk up play, and for members to welcome their guests.  Daily court time during the mornings tends to be fully committed to either organized play, or planned events. SignupGenius is used as signup tool for organized play pickleball and tennis, as well as events (tournaments, clinics or socials that are scheduled in advance).  Details can be found on the “Tennis”, “Pickleball” and “Events” tabs of this website. Members wishing to participate can click on the SignUpGenius link for the activity they wish to participate in, or contact the organizer. 

When does the PTPC offer private lessons and/or clinics for Tennis and Pickleball?

     The Club does not employ any professional instructors, but we do offer pickleball and tennis clinics led by either independent professionals or volunteers.  Details are posted on this website.  A few examples are: the Annual Youth Tennis Camp; Pickleball Clinics; and recurring Tennis Ball Feed Clinics.  Any member wishing to schedule a private lesson with a teaching pro of their liking will be subject to the same rules for court time priority.  Meaning this type of activity should be scheduled in the afternoon when court time tends to be plentiful on a walk up/ first-come/ first-served basis.

What is “best practice” for members entering and leaving the courts and restrooms?

     Our tennis and pickleball courts have several gates that must remain locked when not in use.  Members can use their key to access the courts.  Any member who is the last to leave (meaning they are leaving the facilities vacant) is required to lock the gate when leaving.  In the case where no other members are presently using any of the tennis or pickleball facilities, the departing member is also asked to check the bathroom facilities to ensure they’re locked.

What is the rule regarding the type of shoes that can be worn?

     Players new to the game often make the mistake of wearing running shoes, cross trainers or other leisure oriented sneakers designed for heel to toe running.  Playing tennis or pickleball in this type of shoe exposes a player to increased risk of injury, and might cause surface damage by leaving black marks on the courts.  Anyone found to be wearing running shoes or cross trainers with black soles will be asked to wear proper court shoes.  Both tennis and pickleball involve a lot of shuffling, turning, twisting and side-to-side (lateral) movement.  Only purpose-built court shoes offer the appropriate level of lateral support, stability and traction.  Unfortunately, you won’t find a great selection of these shoes at your local department or sporting goods stores.  And their well intentioned salespeople might tell you that cross trainers or running shoes will suffice.  Sadly, they would be wrong.  Your best source for appropriate tennis and pickleball court shoes is online retailers:  TennisWarehouse, TennisPoint, TennisExpress, 
TotalPickleball and PickleballCentral.

What else can I do to protect court surfaces?

     In addition to wearing proper court shoes, we have several other rules designed to prevent surface damage and sports related injuries:

1. 1. Please try to stay on the sidewalks when entering and leaving the courts to minimize tracking of dirt and gravel that damage the pickleball surfaces.  If possible, members are encouraged to wait until their on the cement pad/ sidewalk area before they change into their court shoes.  This helps to prevent small rocks from the parking lot from being tracked onto the courts. 
   2. Chairs are not allowed on the courts unless pads are installed underneath (in hot weather chairs will sink into the asphalt leaving dents).
   3. Bikes, skateboards or roller blades are never allowed on the courts.
   4. Equipment like ball machines, chairs or benches should never be dragged across the court surface.
   5. Improper disposal of chewing gum can damage the courts. If you find it necessary to chew gum, please dispose of it properly.
   6. Our hard courts aren’t meant to be used in all types of weather. Playing on wet courts can expose you to significant risk of injury due to slipping. 
   7. The courts must never be shoveled or de-iced for use in cold weather.

What is an AED machine?

     An AED, or automated external defibrillator, is used to help those experiencing sudden cardiac arrest.  It’s a sophisticated, yet easy-to-use, medical device that can analyze the heart’s rhythm and, if necessary, deliver an electrical shock, or defibrillation, to help the heart re-establish an effective rhythm.  You should always request the assistance of trained medical professionals, but the average response time for first responders once 911 is called is 8-12 minutes.  And for each minute defibrillation is delayed, the odds of survival are reduced by approximately 10%.  So, having access to an AED and knowing how to use one, is critical. 

• • An instructional video on how to use an AED machine can be found here.
  • A certification training from Red Cross for CPR and AED can be found here.

How do I access the club’s AED machine? 

     Our Club recently invested in the purchase of an AED machine that’s located in a locked enclosure under the covered sections of the clubhouse.  You will find a wall mount combination lock box right next to the AED cabinet, which holds a key that will open the metal cabinet door.  Enter the combination 9-1-1 on the lockbox keypad to open the shutter door, so you can access the key.  When operating the AED, once you press the start button on the unit, there will be verbal instructions to prompt you through proper use of the lifesaving device.