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Post Date: Wednesday, February 22, 2023 |
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 Ranked fourth for Top Ranked Racquet Facilities nationwide by Club + Resort Business and winner of USTA’s Outstanding Facilities Award, BallenIsles Country Club is renowned for providing world-class, innovative racquet sport facilities. The 65,000-square-foot Sports Complex features 30 courts: 20 Har-Tru clay tennis courts, a stadium court that seats up to 500 people, nine permanent pickleball courts, and one hard court. With racquet sports rising in demand across the nation, Head Racquet Sports Professional and Touring Pickleball Pro Andrei Daescu has noticed more Members than ever before hitting the courts. Let’s meet Andrei and learn more about the racquet sports available to BallenIsles Members.
How did you find your passion for racquet sports?
My passion for racquet sports started with tennis at the age of 6 when my dad got me my first tennis lesson with a local pro. By the time I was 12, I started traveling around Europe and spent most of my summers in Germany and Western Europe training with really great players. I moved to America on a tennis scholarship for the University of Oklahoma, then pursued a professional tennis career for about five years. In 2017, I discovered pickleball at BallenIsles and my love for racquet sports grew even more. I really enjoyed that I was getting to compete again, and all the tactical aspects behind the game. I started playing more and more pickleball tournaments, and in 2022, I became BallenIsles’ Head Touring Pro to play full-time.
Why do you think pickleball has risen in popularity?
Pickleball is a game for everyone. I’ve been on the courts with 10-year-olds up to 80-year-olds. Players can have all sorts of athletic backgrounds, or not play sports at all. There are no boundaries. The learning curve is so fast, but mastering the game is difficult at the same time. That’s what keeps me coming back every day.
What racquet programs are available for BallenIsles Members?
First and foremost, BallenIsles Members get to enjoy a large variety of events and tournaments at this Club. Our racquet sports programming also offers weekly drop-in clinics, private clinics, and private lessons with world-class teaching professionals. For Members who are happy to come out and have a social game of tennis or pickleball with our Members, then our 9 LED-lit pickleball courts and 21 state-of-the-art tennis courts enhance the experience.
Can you share more information about the junior racquet programs?
Our tennis junior program has historically been very well regarded in our area. It has produced players that went on to play collegiately for prestigious schools such as Harvard, Florida State, and many others. When it comes to pickleball, we have kick-started our junior program with weekly clinics that just started up. We hope to pave the way for our pickleball players to enjoy the same success we have experienced with our tennis program.
How does the BallenIsles Sport Complex help Members strengthen their game?
The racquet sports department has always worked closely with the sports complex staff to ensure proper physical preparation and injury prevention for our Members. We have a large number of world-class trainers ready to assist with getting Members’ bodies ready for racquet sports. Furthermore, our full-service spa assists with post-workout recovery.
What differentiates BallenIsles’ racquet sports program from others in the area?
BallenIsles is the trailblazer when it comes to racquet sports not only in our area but around the country. Our tennis program has historically been very strong. Along with the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Senior World Championships we hosted in April 2022, we continue to host high-level local, state, and national tournaments in both tennis and pickleball. We have also continuously grown the program to best serve our Members. In the next few years, the Club is looking to expand the number of courts for our Members, and we are also looking at larger-scale racquet sports shops that will fulfill our Member’s needs. With a current $1.3 million pickleball facility and plans for expansion on the way, it’s pretty clear that our Club is leading the way in the racquet sports culture.
A Palm Beach Private Club with an Unparalleled Lifestyle
Ranked among the top 100 Clubs in America since the early 2000s, Members at BallenIsles Country Club enjoy the luxurious lifestyle they lead. Along with a world-class racquet program, Members also enjoy three championship golf courses, six dining venues, a resort-style swimming pool, and an abundance of other amenities that are both captivating and awe-inspiring.
The biggest asset of BallenIsles, however, is the residents who call this private community their home. 33 intimate neighborhoods are each characterized by their own unique identity of golf villas, luxury condominiums, elegant estate homes, and more. Just outside the gates along the PGA Boulevard corridor, Members also have access to a vibrant array of activities, entertainment, world-class dining, and shopping. Additionally, residents are only a short 10-minute drive to the beach and a 15-minute drive to Palm Beach International Airport.
For more information on this private gated community or to experience the social lifestyle yourself, visit BallenIsles.org to schedule a tour, or call our office at 561-622-0220. Request a complimentary copy of our digital brochure today. |
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