In 1975, the Saddle & Cycle Club, under Platform Tennis Chairman Frank Klimley and the initial subscriptions of 110 members, constructed two wood courts. The initial warming facility was in the north end of the main clubhouse with views out toward the courts, thirty meters away.

In 1979, the ‘Saddle’ had two Men’s and one Women’s team playing in the highly competitive North Shore Platform Tennis League. Then in 1985, not only were new aluminum courts with heaters and improved lighting installed, but the original Sportshouse ‘warming hut’ was constructed adjacent to the courts, both adding to increased play and member enjoyment.

In 2015 club member Jim McCormick, a long-time player of the game at Saddle and Cycle, purchased an original racquet (circa 1930) and had it framed along with the description of the origins of the game at the club.

Source: Racquets Committee (Heather Montgomery, Co-Chair, Doug Leik, Co-Chair, and Bob Thomas, Club Historian), Saddle and Cycle Club, 2015

A big step forward for the traditional warming hut which was so important for the social aspects of the game. Happy Hour in the Happy House.

You could even build it yourself

Platform tennis had come to the Deep South in resounding fashion.

Two courts were being built as part of a recreational complex and the game was to be incorporated into the intramural program for both men and women with the courts available from 7:00 am to midnight.

The “pro-circuit” had made those who could not compete feeling left out. The ‘B’ events were designed to address this issue.