Five years ago, the courts at Diamond Head Tennis Center looked like a bomb had hit them. Massive cracks and weeds had taken over much of a complex with a rich legacy and a richer location.
Tennis life has improved on the slopes of one of the world’s most famous landmarks, steps from one of the world’s most breathtaking places. DHTC, home to many of Hawaii’s best players and some of the best players in the world finally got its courts resurfaced in 2010, with the next goal being transforming the paddleboard court into a practice area.
The drastic change was precipitated by a group of player/volunteers who formed the not-for-profit Friends of Diamond Head Tennis in November 2009. They raised $30,000 and got the USTA Hawaii Pacific Section to donate $30,000 more.
"Friends" donated the money to the City & County, which used it for resurfacing. Now the group funds much of the maintenance.
"It’s such a beautiful location and premier spot," said Friends President John Veltri. "People have played here many, many years. We wanted to restore it to what it was, so we took the initiative."
All 10 courts are again inviting, as they were when Bobby Riggs, Jack Kramer, Maureen Connolly, Maria Bueno, Pancho Gonzalez, Andre Agassi, Arthur Ashe, Stan Smith and Roscoe Tanner used to play here.
The shower has been taken out, but the bathroom is clean and no one camps out anymore. Four truckfuls of garbage were hauled away, paint is fresh, plants are healthy and trimmed, windscreens and nets are regularly replaced.
During all this, DHTC regular Jared Spiker won a couple of state high school championships and found a home on the University of Hawaii team. He is a vivid, dynamic reminder of the days when UH players did their real practicing at Diamond Head, under the not-so-watchful eye of former coach Jim Schwitters another DHTC regular. Tournaments and junior programs have returned.
Diamond Head was a tennis player’s paradise back in the day. It started as a four-court private club. The City & County took it over in 1972 and made it a 10-court complex, clearly seeing the value. It has been home to hundreds of tournaments. Folks used to stand on the roof of the center structure to watch matches that involved the best from here and everywhere. It was known for being the place where any tennis player could take on Hawaii’s best and worst players on the same day.
The Friends, a little shocked at how quickly work got accomplished after years of frustration, did not disband when the courts were made playable again.
What began as a core of a dozen players is now some 300. They help with sweat equity and/or cold cash. Friends has adopted the park and will soon hold a celebration to thank volunteers. Veltri, a realtor, traces the success back to the diverse group professionally and financially that came together "for a common cause."
"The Diamond Head community, regardless of each individual’s financial situation," Veltri said, "came together and contributed."
This large, admittedly "eclectic" group of retirees, kids, shift workers, professionals, tourists DHTC has long been a destination for visiting tennis players and snowbirds has no thoughts of quitting. It wants DHTC to remain a place for tennis players good, bad and in between to hang out, and hit with kids to introduce them to the game, in an incredible setting.
The group is still accepting and encouraging donations, made out to "Friends of Hawaii Tennis" and mailed to 1128 Pueo St., Honolulu 96816.
Next up is turning the paddleboard court into a practice area with a 9-foot backboard. Ultimately, "their" courts need to be reconstructed, as opposed to the much cheaper resurfacing. Screens, nets and other areas always need replacement or repair.
But DHTC is beautiful again, which is priceless.
