By Mark Hallum
The legacy of a Bayside institution has been reinvigorated in the Bayside North Shore Tennis and Racquet Club, which has stood for over century and hosted legends of the sport such as Butch Seewagon and Vitas Gerulaitis.
A tournament and other activities are scheduled for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, according to Gregg Sullivan, who took the initiative with members of the Bayside Historical Society to save the location from developers looking to take over the property he refers to as “the last great bastion of the Great Gatsby era of Bayside.”
“Over the last couple years, it just faded away with management changing and people not caring,” Sullivan said. “Developers were looking at this to buy it and it was going to be a nightmare, so we actually saved it from the wrecking ball to help preserve this historic landmark and it’s a real treasure of Bayside.”
The club is located at 31-28 214th Place.
Sullivan said a $3,000 prize has attracted tennis players from across the region as well as up-and-comers hoping to make a name for themselves. Interest in the tournament has grown among players, with 32 competing, a sharp increase from last year’s seven who locked racquets for a $500 prize.
Although the club is private and usually closed to the public, it will open its doors for the reception and games, for free. Concessions will be provided, along with live music.
For questions call (718) 504-7893.
Reach reporter Mark Hallum by e-mail at mhall
