Where Tennis, Community, and Tradition Endure
In the early 1950s, there were no public tennis courts on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Local tennis enthusiasts often carried their own nets to private courts at Malaga Cove School or in Manhattan Beach. In April 1959, a small group of a dozen residents met to explore the possibility of establishing a dedicated tennis facility in Palos Verdes Estates. From that meeting came a commitment: contact as many residents as possible who might support the idea. A telephone campaign quickly generated interest, drawing hundreds to a follow-up meeting on June 23, 1959, at the Malaga Cove School cafetorium. The meeting was chaired by Don Miloe, with the late Fred Hartley of Union Oil in attendance, offering valuable suggestions. At that meeting, attendees were asked to contribute five dollars each as earnest money, and the vision of a Palos Verdes tennis club began to take shape.
Finding the Perfect Location
The ideal site was soon identified: city parkland adjacent to the Palos Verdes Golf Club (established in 1924). On March 8, 1960, the P.V.E. City Council was presented with a proposal to lease the land to the newly formed P.V. Tennis Foundation. This proposal was made possible by attorney Don Hitchcock, who drafted the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws to establish the organization as a non-profit dedicated to advancing tennis facilities and activities for youth and adults of the Palos Verdes Peninsula.
A follow-up meeting at the home of Harry Brandel addressed the financial and legal responsibilities of such a project. The bank required a $50,000 deposit before any agreements regarding city land could move forward. These funds were secured through countless hours of outreach and the generosity of “angels” who guaranteed $1,000 loans to the club. The first concession agreement between the City of Palos Verdes Estates and the Palos Verdes Tennis Club was signed on March 14, 1961, followed by a second modified agreement on March 26. All PVTC activities remain under the jurisdiction of the City of Palos Verdes Estates.
Construction Begins
Once the agreements were in place, fundraising efforts accelerated. To build the courts, each of the 150 prospective members contributed $350. When the initial goal fell short, memberships were extended to non-PVE residents to bridge the gap. The first dues were set at just $7 per month.
The early success of the club was made possible by its dedicated founding members. Among them were first president Don Miloe; first professional Jack Weber; the club’s prime organizer, Jack Kahlo; and the first Board of Directors: Anne Brandel, Mitch Dazey, Vi Graham, Don Knight, and Barbara Young — niece of Janet Young, whose commemorative plaque remains embedded next to Court One.
Palos Verdes Tennis Club Opens
On July 20, 1963, five courts (now Courts 1–5) and a modest pro shop opened, marking the first official matches at PVTC. Three additional courts (Courts 6–8) were completed in 1965, and that same year more than 300 Peninsula children attended the first free tennis clinic, led by Jack Weber. Courts 9 and 10 were added in 1971, followed by Courts 11 and 12 in 1978. The clubhouse, dedicated and presented to the City of Palos Verdes Estates, was completed in 1970.
In 2023, PVTC proudly celebrated its 60th anniversary — an enduring testament to the vision, dedication, and community spirit that have defined the club since its founding.