According to Amy Buckley in her 1976 Cups Day address, there was a tennis club in Southampton prior to the First World War which boasted a membership of 100. By 1923 there were two tennis courts in town made from clay hauled from the banks of the Saugeen River. The lines were tapes that were stapled into place. Later two more courts were established, one of cinder and the other grass. The cinder court was made steam engine cinders from the Southampton train yard. Gradually interest in tennis petered out and the courts were left to run down as few members were left.
In 1956, Irwin “Fawcett” Warder led an inspired and dedicated group of volunteers to establish the modern Southampton Tennis Club, a club anchored in fun, fitness, and fair play for all ages. Warder was born and raised in Southampton and introduced to tennis by Lloyd Buckley. He and his wife Ruth returned full time to Southampton in 1977 after retiring from his job as an elementary school principal in Toronto.
Membership and Programming
Membership in the Southampton Tennis Club (“STC”) began in 1956 at around 125 members. Membership broke 500 by the mid-1960s and grew to over 1,500 members in 2005. The club continues to operate.
The STC began as a junior tennis program in 1956, with the goal of turning out junior tennis players to participate in three major tournaments: Western Ontario, Ontario Closed/Open, and the Canadians. The club succeeded at that goal from 1958 to 1970. The philosophy of the club then changed towards introducing tennis to as many people as possible in order that families may enjoy the game together. This recreational philosophy incudes insight into competition through Cups Day events and Round Robin Tournament, as well as providing a progression of skills for all levels of players. Recreational fun and family philosophy has been an important part of its history.
Activities have included: a teaching program, competitive play, social play, social events and community service. Community outreach and collaborations have included free use of facilities during the off-season, customized lessons for special-needs players, community social events, collaboration promoting the community in wellness and tourism, a run/ride/skate event to raise funds for the local hospital, and an annual music award presented on Cups’ Day to a local elementary student.
Facilities
The two existing clay courts at Thompson Street and Gilbert Lane (known as Upper Courts or Uptown Courts) were paved in 1956. In 1957, overhanging lights were installed (replaced by corner lights in 1981). In 1958, a double practice board and bleachers were erected.
Three new tennis courts were built on Morrison Park, Lake Street, land leased to the Club by the town in 1961 (Known as Downtown Courts, Beach Courts, or Lake Street Courts). Two additional courts were constructed on that site in 1962. The Club House was constructed on that site in the form of a roughed in building in 1963. The entire project was completed by volunteer workers under the guidance of a Carpenter.
In 1976, six new tennis courts, known as The Warder Courts, were constructed on South Street land made available to the Club by Earl Putman. In 2005, the six Warder Courts were resurfaced, and two new courts were constructed, bringing the club’s court inventory to 15. A clubhouse was also built at the Warder Courts in or around the fall of 2005.
