On-Court Inspiration & Golf Guru

A tennis clinic makes this player a believer again. And here’s a welcome to The Boca Raton’s new Director of Golf.

BY NILA DO SIMON

By the time I hit my 10th consecutive unforced error on Court 12, I realized I needed much longer than a one-hour tennis clinic to clean up my act. Alas, a 60-minute time frame was all I could space during my recent outing at Racquet Club, a storied locale that has, through its history, welcomed the likes of tennis greats Fred Perry, Jimmy Connors, and Madison Keys. And now, me. “Relax before you hit the ball,” tennis pro Larry Gottfried advised me after I dumped the ball into the net once again. Easier said than done, I thought. But the bigger takeaway was that after a handful of strokes, Gottfried saw something that no one had been able to pinpoint before in my tennis game: a mental glitch that spilled over into my physical play. It was that type of trained eye, that level of experience, that I needed to rework how I contacted the ball.

On a whim, I signed up for a Tuesday morning group session called “FUNdamentals Tennis Clinic.” Perhaps I leaned too much into the word “fun” in the title when I sauntered up to Court 12 on a sunny, near cloudless morning.

I quickly learned how this session was a challenging refresher for someone like me, who hadn’t picked up a racquet in four years, as well as the consistent player like Ellen, a Club member for nearly 15 years, whose crafty left-handed approach shots had my feet twisted in knots during certain rallies. Designed to accommodate up to five players, the clinic promised to work on groundstrokes, footwork, approach shots, overheads, and volleys alongside pros like Gottfried. I can attest with authority that it did all of the above—along with test Gottfried’s patience with my faltering forehand. The fast-paced clinic allowed for enough one-on-one instruction to correct even the hardest habits to break, like the way I tense my body before hitting the ball. And if I’m going to learn from anyone, let it be from the likes of Gottfried, a former ATP player who still possesses a wicked topspin stroke even in his sixties. “Look him up after you leave the courts,” Ellen’s husband, Ben, told me after the clinic ended. “He beat John McEnroe.” You cannot be serious, I thought. But it’s true. There’s even a grainy black-and-white photograph floating around the internet of a triumphant Gottfried walking off the court, left hand victoriously pointing toward the sky, ahead of a downtrodden McEnroe.

His pedigree unbeknownst to me during the clinic, it was easy to listen to Gottfried, who gave clear instructions and incorporated drills that made for a fun yet informative hour of tennis. I could have spent 45 more hours learning from him, soaking up his advice. Conceived in 1930, Racquet Club has had its fair share of transformation over the years. A little more than a decade after opening in the late 1940s, the club welcomed the great Fred Perry, winner of eight Grand Slams, as its tennis pro. A young Chrissie Evert graced the courts, as well as Jimmy Connors. In the recent era, the courts have seen U.S. Open finalist Madison Keys play an exhibition match.

Home to 16 tennis HydroGrid clay courts, a full-service tennis concierge, expert instruction, and six pickleball courts, Racquet Club is a destination unto itself. Tucked away behind towering banyan trees and above the Fitness Club at Harborside, the location bustles with not just exciting play, but conversations among members and guests between points and sets. Although they may be opponents on the courts, a jovial atmosphere enlivens the scene.

Today, Racquet Club is helmed by Lauren Levine, a veteran in the sport who has left an impact on every court she has managed, including her prior appointment at Westchester Tennis Center and the USTA. Since her arrival last summer, Levine has filled the Racquet Club programming, which includes the ever-popular pickleball, with robust options. Added are more junior clinics and lessons, including for the pint-sized player ages 3 to 5, that feature low-compression balls that help younger players develop stroke technique. In addition, Levine has overseen dynamic evening events, such as the XGlosive events that brighten the nighttime courts with neon lights. Back at my tennis clinic, I started relaxing before hitting my shots. And guess what? Fewer unforced errors. The ball actually even went in the general direction that I was aiming. At times. Thanks to Gottfried and the other forgiving fellow players in the clinic, I felt like my tennis game had new life. And, thanks to Racquet Club, I have a renewed love of the sport.

Meet Andrew Farrea, new Director of Golf at The Boca Raton

GOLF STAR

Andrew Farrea joins The Boca Raton’s historic Golf Club after serving as Head Golf Professional for 13-plus years at prestigious courses Ko Olina Golf Club in Hawaii, North Sound Golf Club in Grand Cayman, and Newport National Golf Club in Rhode Island. With more than 20 years of experience in the golf industry, Farrea brings his vast knowledge of the sport— including product trends, golf instruction techniques, and overall general management—to The Boca Raton. Players of all levels will improve their games through Farrea’s meticulous programming, which includes enhancing the golf experience for every type of player. As he puts it, “I’m looking forward to creating opportunities for every single member of The Boca Raton to enjoy this beautiful game.”

Favorite pro golfer: I began playing golf as a part of the Tiger Woods golf boom, and followed him regularly throughout my earlier years, but I have always been more of a fan of the game than any single player. I will say that after joining The Boca Raton team and learning more about our past golf director and legend Sam Snead, he has quickly become one of my favorite individuals, and I wish that I had the opportunity to watch him play in live events.

Favorite non-golf sport: Ice hockey. I grew up the son of a college hockey coach, and my brother and I both learned to skate when we were just 2 years old.

Favorite non-sport activity: I grew up just a mile from the ocean and had the chance to live in some of the best beach hotspots in the world, including Grand Cayman and Hawaii, so going to the beach and being around the ocean will always be something I am eager to do when I am taking a break from sports.

Individuals who would make your ideal golf foursome: Tiger Woods, Mario Lemieux, and my dad. Woods is a huge reason why I got into playing golf. I highly doubt we will ever see such dominance in the game ever again, nor will we see such a significant growth of the game as we did when Tiger Woods became a sensation. NHL legend Lemieux was my all-time favorite player as a youth and forged my ties to a game that I still play to this day. I believe Lemieux was the best all-around player that the game has ever seen and was an even better role model. While Woods tied me to golf and Lemieux tied me to hockey, my father introduced me and gave me the opportunity to do both.