How We Started

Opened in 1969, the club resides on a 10+ acre site located just outside historic Middleburg, Virginia, nestled in the heart of Virginia Hunt Country. With nearly 400 memberships, MTC has a warm and friendly environment with a country casual feel. The highly competent, member oriented staff serve with a view toward exceeding expectations. This attitude, when combined with a variety of services, makes for the Middleburg Tennis Club difference. We are committed to giving our members the personal attention that can only be found at a first class, private club. By offering opportunities for recreation, relaxation and camaraderie, we help members, their families, and guests maximize their experience at the Middleburg Tennis Club.

The club resides on a 10+ acre site located just outside historic Middleburg, VA nestled in the heart of Virginia Hunt Country. With close to 400 memberships, MTC has a warm and friendly environment with a country casual feel. Our highly competent member-oriented staff serve with a view toward exceeding expectations. This attitude, when combined with our variety of services, makes for the Middleburg Tennis Club difference.

We are committed to giving our members the personal attention that can only be found at a first-class private club. By offering opportunities for recreation, relaxation and camaraderie, we help members, their families and their guests maximize their experience at Middleburg Tennis Club.

In the early 1960’s a group of friends would beg, borrow and steal tennis courts for the chance to have a fun afternoon. Foxcroft was an easy pick as no one was around on weekends, Susie Clark at Stoneleigh Farm was a sure bet too as she loved to watch and enjoyed the entertainment on her court. They all realized that would have to make a change. This group* of friends all met at Pat Morgan’s house and several bourbons later, Middleburg Tennis Club was created. Plans were made, and a Board was elected, Chubb Lee was the President, Sandy MacLeod was Vice President, Pat Morgan was the Treasurer. The Board went to the Middleburg Bank and signed a note. In the excitement, no one thought about where to build it, Pat Morgan spoke up with “I’ll give my children’s inheritance and we’ll build the courts there”. What he was referring to was an adjoining piece of property on Reed Street in Middleburg. So Anne, Betsy, Charlie and Molly Morgan were kicked out of the will and construction started. Henry Lane & Son from Marshall, Virginia built two courts and they were full every afternoon at the end of the workday. The dues were low as the costs were low. Everyone pitched in to mow the grass and trim the hedges. Director meetings were held quarterly at the Morgan’s house.

Two years later a small building was built with a living room, a men’s locker room and a ladies locker room. It was a very simple clubhouse, with a pay phone, a coke machine and a small refrigerator and the same key fit every door for convenience. On Sunday evenings someone would bring a grill, others would bring hamburgers, hot dogs and salads and naturally there was at least one tub full of beer and ice. Someone bought a patio table with an umbrella and a few chairs and a bench for the spectators. Several neighbors dropped by on their way home from work to watch tennis and chat. One in particular was a famous horse trainer by the name of Woods Garth, he didn’t play, but loved the game and the friends he made. So the club was not just about tennis, it was also about friendships. On the other side of the parking lot was a backboard for everyone to practice on. There was a small shed built to house the ball machine and various other small things for the courts like brooms, etc.

After the second year, the children of the members came of age to need something to do in the summer. It was decided that tennis lessons were the answer, however, the club didn’t have a pro. Someone on the Board suggested this kid from Warrenton who was a student at University of North Carolina and had just enlisted in the Marines. He was attractive, had a great sense of humor and was a perfect candidate to teach the kids. Morgan Dennis was introduced to the Board and less than five minutes later, he had the job. Along with teaching the kids, he was a favorite “fourth” in the late afternoon games with the adults. He had such a great personality and many of the kids fell in love with the game all because of his encouragement. After the third year of existence, the club was dealt a blow. Morgan had to leave for obligation to the Marine Corps. As a result, a replacement was sought. Two candidates were chosen, Bob Freeman and Fulton Liss. They both were great tennis players, and good teachers, but it wasn’t the same as having Morgan. This arrangement lasted for two years then Morgan returned and all was well in the world. By this time, Pat and Annie Morgan had built a pool so after lessons the kids would all migrate over for an afternoon of swimming. At Morgan’s suggestion, several of the older stronger kids started playing with the adults in the late afternoon games. After morning lessons, a refreshing swim, these kids were ready to play serious tennis and eventually these kids started to outplay some of the adults. At the same time, the two courts were not enough. More and more people were joining and now the courts were filled from sunup to sundown. The original note signed by the Board had finally been paid off and the club had a few dollars, so the decision was made to move to the current location on Zulla Road.