The 1970’s were “boom years” for the growth of tennis participation as a fitness sport in the United States. John Dodge, developer of Quail Ridge,recognized the need to incorporate tennis as part of his planned golf community. The original site plan for tennis called for 20 courts, 19 on the present site and a stadium court on the present playground site next to the clubhouse. A unique agreement was made to develop the tennis area. John Altorfer, a business friend of John Dodge, from Peoria Illinois, was looking to build a tennis club in South Florida and John Dodge wanted a tennis facility built. They agreed on a 7 year lease in which Altofer would build the first phase (8 courts, Pavilion, Lights, etc.) The first 3-4 years saw a slow development in the golf and tennis community that was stagnated by the “oil crises” in the early seventies. Two different pros were employed over this 3-year period, but were limited with a small membership and competition from competing golf and tennis developments.
In 1976, John Dodge expanded the community north and added additional 18 holes to the golf club. He also saw a need to expand the tennis program and facilities to be an added attraction to prospective homebuyers. In September of 1976, he employed Tennis Director Fred Fleming to expand the membership, programs, and facilities, and to do promotional clinics for the sales division. In the next 7-10 years the remaining facilities were financed by the developer – 6 more tennis courts, activities room, maintenance building, practice walls, sidewalks, etc. Memberships increased dramatically and an active and comprehensive family tennis program was organized and implemented. To promote sales, “tennis clinics” were advertised in national magazines. These weekly adult instructional programs were held twice a month from November through April. Participants were lodged in the Kittiwake rental area and meals were included at the Clubhouse through a package program. Also, another promotional event included hosting a “Tennis Grand Masters” tournament for 2 years. This benefit event included outstanding touring tennis professionals from the past such as Pancho Gonzales, Pancho Segura and Frank Sedgeman of Australia. The event raised over 30,000 each of the 2 years for the charity, (The Haven).