FAQ

What is the club policy regarding seasonal opening and closing? 

     Our season begins in April and runs through November, but the actual dates are weather dependent. 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.

What is the club policy regarding management of 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 physical and social benefits of exercise at a reasonable cost of membership.  We strive to maintain a fun atmosphere where relationships can be cultivated between groups of full-time residents, summer residents and repeat visitors alike.  Our clinics, tournaments and daily organized play all promote the fun of two lifetime sports, delivering 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, our members and friends of the club are the sole source of financial support, which comes in the form of membership initiation fees, annual dues, assessments and donations. We receive no funding from any public entities such as Village of Pentwater or Pentwater Township. 

Is there an ongoing capital campaign?

     There in not currently an active capital campaign.  Since the Club’s inception in 1973, our membership has grown from approximately (25) charter member units, to more than (300) individuals.  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 were funded by the most recent capital campaign?

     Contributions to date have 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.
   7. New storage shed was added near the pickleball courts in 2023.

How does the club raise capital funds for continued improvement of our facilities?

     Historically, capital campaigns were used to fund necessary improvements, the most recent one being the capital campaign that started in 2020, which was a major success with close to $100,000 in pledges received.  These funds went towards necessary improvements to club facilities.  Our annual dues structure was redesigned in 2024 to facilitate annual increases as necessary to keep us in step with the rising costs of court maintenance.  Annual invoices are sent to members each year at the end of March, with payment due on June 1.  The Legacy Fund was established in 2024 with the overarching goal of creating a sustainable financial resource that ensures the longevity and quality of tennis and pickleball activities in Pentwater.  It was commissioned to be a robust funding model that honors the contributions of members in support of future club initiatives.  It establishes a mechanism for members to donate to the club, either while they’re living, or as a gift in their estate planning that takes effect after the donor’s death.

∞  To learn more about The Legacy Fund, click here  ∞
∞  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 roll.  Beginning in 2020, bold steps were taken to ensure the Club’s well-being long 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 2024 and beyond, we’ll continue looking for ways to increase the available options for organized play and social events. 

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

     The only way a non-member can use our facilities is to be sponsored as the guest of a member.  If you don’t know a member, we encourage you to explore membership.  For a detailed description of our Guest Policy, please click 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, with the exception being that members can reserve pickleball courts during times designated as ‘Open Play” in SignUpGenius. To reserve a court click here: Tennis SUG or Pickleball SUG. The courts remain lightly used in the afternoons, which is the best time for members to welcome their guests.  Daily court time during the mornings tends to be heavily committed to organized play and/or planned events. SignupGenius is used as signup tool for organized play pickleball and tennis, as well as events such as tournaments, clinics or socials that are scheduled in advance.  Details can be found on either the Tennis or Pickleball tabs on this website. You can find all the links to register for play and events on the SignUpGenius ‘Dashboard‘ on this website.  Members can click on the SignUpGenius link for the activity they wish to participate in, or contact the organizer directly. 

What is the club policy regarding Tennis and Pickleball Instruction?

     The Club does not employ any professional instructors, but we do allow independent professionals and volunteers to offer private lessons and clinics for pickleball and tennis.  Details on available instructors are posted on this website under the Tennis and Pickleball.  We also sponsor an Annual Youth Tennis Clinic.  Any member wishing to schedule a private lesson with an instructor will be subject to the same rules for court time priority, and a reservation must be made during Open Play.  

What is our Security Policy for accessing our facilities including gates and keys?

     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.  Please read the Security Policy here. 

What is the club policy regarding court shoes?

     Proper courts shoes are required when using the Tennis and Pickleball courts. Any player wearing inappropriate shoes can be subject to removal from participation.  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.  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.  Court shoes for tennis and pickleball feature flat, grippy outsoles, reinforced side support for side-to-side movement, and dense midsoles. This differs from running shoes built for straight lines and walking shoes built for casual forward steps.

Support and Stability
> Court shoes: Built with rigid side walls and strong upper materials to lock your foot in place during fast side-to-side movements and quick stops.
> Running shoes: Designed with soft, flexible sides and high, cushioned heels meant only for forward motion. Using them on a court can cause your foot to slide over the edge and lead to a rolled ankle. 

Soles and Traction
> Court shoes: Feature flat, durable rubber outsoles with herringbone or multi-directional patterns to grip hard outdoor or indoor court surfaces without wearing out fast.
> Cross-training or Gym shoes: May have flat soles, but lack the heavy-duty rubber needed to withstand the abrasive grit of outdoor concrete tennis and pickleball courts. 

Weight and Flexibility
> Court shoes: Heavier and stiffer to protect your feet and joints from high-impact stopping and pivoting.
> Running or Walking shoes: Much lighter and softer, prioritizing step-by-step comfort over structural safety during multi-directional sports.

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.

What is the club’s Privacy Policy?

     Please see our Privacy Policy for details.

Where can I learn more about the club’s finances?

     As a tax-exempt, nonprofit corporation, the Pentwater Tennis and Pickleball Club is happy to share copies of our three most recently filed annual information returns (click here). Members can view our year end financial reports in the password protected section (click here).

 What are the club’s Bylaw’s?

     Our Bylaws are posted here.