Grand Slam Champion Ellis Ferreira holds court at Sea Colony for a day of doubles tennis instruction, events and more.

Renowned doubles tennis great Ellis Ferreira takes to the courts at Sea Colony – “The Premier Family Beach & Tennis Resort Community,”  just south of  Bethany Beach, Delaware  – on Saturday, Aug. 7, for two sessions focused on doubles tennis tactics, as well as a pro exhibition and open-forum conversation.

Sea Colony real estate for sale and Sea Colony vacation rentals, available through ResortQuest, range from oceanfront condos to secluded single family homes.

Ferreira’s 12-year professional career, which spanned from 1992 to 2004, includes 33 tournament finals, 18 titles and a pair of Grand Slam championships. In 2000, Ferreira and partner Rick Leach won the Australian Open in 2000 and finished runner-up in that year’s U.S. Open, ultimately rising to the Professional Tennis Association’s #2 doubles world ranking. In 2001, he and partner Corina Morariu captured the 2001 Australian Open mixed doubles crown. The native South African was also half the team that captured the 2005 Wimbledon over 35 doubles crown. Ferreira competed for South Africa in the 1996 Olympic Games and Davis Cup competitions from 1996-2003.

Ferreira, a three-time All-American at the University of Alabama in the late 1980s and early 1990s, is also actively involved with a number of tennis-related ventures, including a tennis academy in Florida, his own line of tennis apparel and coaching professional and collegiate tennis players.

Ferreira’s first Sea Colony doubles tennis session is 10 a.m. to noon and the second is from 3 to 5 p.m. From 2 to 3 p.m., there will be an open-forum style conversation with Ferreira, hosted by Sea Colony Tennis Director Thomas Johnston. A pro exhibition follows the final session at 5 p.m. Each session is limited to 48 players. Cost is $50 per participant. Register online at SeaColonyTennis.net.

For more information, please contact the Sea Colony Tennis Center at 302-539-4488.

In addition to its world-class tennis offerings, Sea Colony, which is professionally managed by ResortQuest Delaware, features a variety of amenities including a newly-widened half mile of private beach, 12 pools (two indoor), fitness centers, activities for all ages, community shuttle, year-round security and wireless Internet access.

About Sea Colony Tennis
Sea Colony Tennis is ranked among Tennis Magazine’s “50 Best U.S. Tennis Resorts” – including #5 for best instruction – and #19 in the world by Tennis Resorts Online. Featuring 34 courts (four indoor and 14 Har-Tru), “The Premier Family Beach & Tennis Resort Community,” under Sea Colony Tennis Director Thomas Johnston, offers world class tennis instruction, tennis camps, tennis clinics and tennis packages.

About ResortQuest Delaware & Delaware
Since the early 1970s, ResortQuest Delaware has provided real estate sales, vacation rental and homeowner association management services to Sea Colony and other fine communities in Delaware’s Quiet Resorts and the surrounding coastal areas. With offices in southern Delaware and Ocean City, Md., the company offers comprehensive vacation rental services to more than 870 vacation rental properties. ResortQuest is consistently the real estate market leader for listings, sales and listings sold in southeast Sussex County, according to the Sussex County Association of REALTORS® Multiple Listing Service. Its homeowner association management division represents the needs of nearly 4,000 homeowners in 44 associations from Lewes to Fenwick Island, Delaware.

A wholly-owned subsidiary of Leucadia National Corp. (NYSE: LUK), Destin, Fla.-based ResortQuest is one of the nation’s leading vacation rental and real estate companies focusing exclusively on resort properties, offering superior brokerage services in the country’s premier beach, ski and golf destinations and their surrounding communities.

Located just south of Bethany Beach, Delaware, and just north of Ocean City, Maryland, Sea Colony – The Premier Family Beach & Tennis Resort Community - earned the #19 spot for tennis camps and top 75 tennis resort honors. For more information about the resort’s tennis offerings, visit SeaColonyTennis.net – the official Web site of Sea Colony tennis.

NOTE: To determine the ratings, tennis vacationers rank the resorts and camps in 17 categories, covering many areas of the experience from tennis to value for the dollar and more.

SeaColonyTennis.net is the official site of Sea Colony Tennis

The Sea Colony Recreational Association announced today the launch of SeaColonyTennis.net – a new Web site specifically designed to promote tennis at the world-class tennis resort.

“Sea Colony’s Tennis Center offers players an incredible experience, and now we have SeaColonyTennis.net to match that reputation – connecting both players and guests to a world class facility and program,” said Sea Colony Tennis Director Thomas Johnston.

With the most up-to-date calendar of tennis programs, clinics, camps, and tournaments, SeaColonyTennis.net offers current and comprehensive information about the resort’s tennis programs, as well as the ability to easily enroll for camps, clinics and packages (including accommodations) online. Tennis enthusiasts who visit Sea Colony once a year, or more often, are encouraged to register for the site and complete their profile. 

SeaColonyTennis.net can facilitate game-finding services based upon what is added to a player’s profile. Whether an individual is a new or advanced player, interested in weekdays or weekends, wants a doubles or singles match, SeaColonyTennis.net will match the player’s request to those of other SeaColonyTennis.net members.

Registered members will receive e-mail updates with the latest Sea Colony tennis news, upcoming events and more.

SeaColonyTennis.net supports the resort community’s nationally- and globally-recognized tennis program. Known as The Premier Family Beach & Tennis Resort Community, Sea Colony offers world-class tennis just a short drive from the major metropolitan areas of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. Featuring 34 tennis courts (including four indoor and 14 clay), Sea Colony boasts a full-service pro shop and a variety of year-round camps, clinics and private lessons. Sea Colony is ranked No. 10 among Tennis Magazine’s “50 Best U.S. Tennis Resorts,” including No. 5 for best instruction.  In addition, TennisResortsOnline.com (TRO), published by former Tennis Magazine editor Roger Cox, rates Sea Colony as the No. 13 tennis resort in the world, including No. 1 for best junior programs, No. 3 for best instruction and No. 4 for best overall children’s programs.

Sea Colony is a seaside resort community of more than 2,200 homes and, in addition to world class tennis, features a wide array of amenities including a private beach, 12 pools (two indoor, plus 7 more for the kids), fitness centers, activities for all ages, in-season community shuttle and year-round security.

The Sea Colony Recreational Association, which is responsible for the maintenance and promotion of the community’s amenities and common areas, is professionally managed by ResortQuest Delaware.

For more information, call the Sea Colony tennis center at 302-539-4488 or visit SeaColonyTennis.net.

New Tennis Director at Sea Colony

Following a lengthy search, Sea Colony, the resort-residential community in Bethany Beach, DE has hired Thomas Johnston as its director of tennis. A former collegiate All American, Johnston brings diverse experience to the position, having coached the Pomona/Pitzer College men’s tennis team in Southern California and the University of Virginia men’s team and directed the tennis programs at Wintergreen Resort in Wintergreen, VA.

Although only days into his new position when we spoke, he enthusiastic about the challenges.

“My No 1 priority is solid staffing for the summer,” he told me. “I want pros who are knowledgeable and friendly and make sure people have fun.”

Beyond that he expects to continue the well-attended adult and junior clinics and to continue the tradition of tailor-made weekend camps, but because he has a Master’s in sports psychology, he’ll be adding an optional mental toughness component. As the season progresses, he plans to introduce Cardio tennis, Quickstart, videoanalysis, USTA-sanctioned tournaments, and possibly some junior camps. —There’s so much enthusiasm for tennis here,” he went on. “I’m just excited by the challenge.” An overview of the staff and programs is available on the new interactive Sea Colony Tennis website.

… from Tennis Resorts Online (2/9/2010)

Sea Colony and ResortQuest Delaware are very pleased to announce that Thomas Johnston has been appointed to the position of Director of Tennis at Sea Colony, the premier family beach and tennis resort community near Bethany Beach, Delaware. 

“After a major national competitive search, we are delighted to have Thomas join our community,” said homeowner Richard Kent, chair of the Sea Colony Tennis Committee and Search Committee.  “Thomas has the world class playing, coaching, and teaching experience we sought.  Thomas also has a special blend of business and personal-style attributes, coupled with his superb tennis credentials, that make him the ideal candidate for the tennis program leadership position at Sea Colony.  As a three-time collegiate All-American, he has a track record of success as a player, and then spent three years on the professional playing circuit.   As a coach, his style enabled college teams to reach unprecedented levels.  We are looking forward to his contributions to take Sea Colony’s tennis program to new heights.”

Johnston previously was the head coach for the men’s tennis program at University of Virginia, and guided the team to its first ACC Conference finals and NCAA Regional tournament.  Under his leadership, the team’s NCAA national ranking improved from No. 95 to No. 15.  Several of Johnston’s former players have achieved world rankings since graduating.  Prior to joining UVa, Johnston coached Pomona-Pitzer Colleges in Claremont, California and led the men’s team to its only Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title in school history.

Before joining Sea Colony as the Tennis Director, Johnston headed a substantial award winning tennis program for ten years at Wintergreen, a major resort destination in Virginia.  Under Johnston’s leadership, TennisResortsOnline.com rated Wintergreen as one of the top 15 tennis resorts and top 5 adult tennis camps in the world.  Wintergreen also achieved the No. 2 ranking for tennis instruction in 2009.  In addition, Wintergreen is a perennially top-ranked resort according to Tennis Magazine.
 
With a Masters of Science in Sports Psychology, Johnston has completed coursework toward a Doctorate in Sports Psychology.  He also is a respected speaker, offering seminars on the mental and strategic aspects of the game of tennis; and has published a number of sports articles.

“My family and I are excited to come to Sea Colony,” said Johnston.  “The tennis program and facilities are excellent, and I’m looking forward to growing the program in new ways and enhancing Sea Colony’s existing reputation as one of the finest tennis destinations in the country.”

Located on The First State’s Atlantic coast, just south of Bethany Beach, Delaware, and just north of Ocean City, Maryland, and known as The Premier Family Beach & Tennis Resort Community, the Sea Colony tennis resort and programs are nationally and globally ranked.

• #10 on Tennis Magazine‘s 50 Best U.S. Tennis Resorts – including #5 for best instruction
• #13 in the world by Tennis Resorts Online – including #1 for best junior tennis programs, #3 for best tennis instruction, #4 for best overall children’s programs

With 34 tennis courts, including 4 indoor and 14 Har-Tru, and a great team of teaching professionals, Sea Colony tennis offers a variety of programs from clinics throughout the week to weekend mini-camps throughout the year.

In addition to the world class tennis offerings, the Sea Colony resort community features a private beach, 12 pools (2 indoor, plus 7 more for the kids), fitness centers (the largest of which offers an indoor pool, exercise room, free weights, indoor gym, saunas, whirlpool and more), activities for all ages, in-season community shuttle and year-round security. Since the early 1970s, ResortQuest has been, and continues to be, the Sea Colony vacation rental and Sea Colony real estate sales leader.

Located just south of Bethany Beach, Delaware, Sea Colony – known as “The Premier Family Beach & Tennis Resort Community” – continued its climb among the elite tennis resorts in the world, according to Tennis Resorts Online’s 2009 rankings, released on May 1.

Sea Colony vacation rentals, available through ResortQuest, range from oceanfront condos to secluded single families homes.

Ranked No. 16 last year, the seaside resort community climbed three places this year to No. 13 in the world. This global recognition follows numerous local, regional and national honors earned by the resort community and its tennis staff. Posted on TennisResortsOnline.com (TRO), published by former Tennis Magazine editor Roger Cox, the annual rankings are determined by vacationers, who were asked to evaluate resorts and camps in 20 categories, from the quality of the tennis programs to lodging.

TRO also ranked Sea Colony No. 3 for best instruction and programs, No. 1 for junior programs and No. 4 for best overall children’s programs.

With 34 tennis courts, including four indoor and 14 Har-Tru clay, and 25 teaching professionals, Sea Colony Tennis, under Tennis Director Dr. Dave Marshall, offers a wide range of camps, clinics and private instruction to tennis players of all ages and skill levels.

Supported by the Sea Colony homeowners, the tennis program has produced state and national champions, elite juniors and top collegiate tennis players, while earning kudos from state and regional tennis organizations.

In October 2008, Tennis Magazine honored the resort community in the Top 10 among its “50 Best U.S. Tennis Resorts,” including ranking Sea Colony #5 for instruction.

In addition to its world-class tennis offerings, Sea Colony, which is professionally managed by ResortQuest Delaware, features a wide variety of amenities including a newly-widened half mile of private beach, 12 pools (two indoor), fitness centers, activities for all ages, community shuttle, year-round security and wireless Internet access.

About ResortQuest Delaware
Since the early 1970s, ResortQuest Delaware has provided real estate sales, vacation rental and homeowner association management services to Sea Colony and other fine communities in Delaware’s Quiet Resorts and the surrounding coastal areas. With offices in southern Delaware and Ocean City, Md., the company offers comprehensive vacation rental services to more than 900 vacation rental properties. ResortQuest is consistently the resort real estate market leader for listings, sales and listings sold in southeast Sussex County, according to the Sussex County Association of REALTORS® Multiple Listing Service. Its homeowner association management division represents the needs of nearly 4,000 homeowners in 43 associations from Lewes to Fenwick Island, Delaware.

A wholly-owned subsidiary of Leucadia National Corp. (NYSE: LUK), Destin, Fla.-based ResortQuest is one of the nation’s leading vacation rental and real estate companies focusing exclusively on resort properties, offering superior brokerage services in the country’s premier beach, ski and golf destinations and their surrounding communities.

The tennis publication’s current issue adds national recognition to the list of local, regional and global honors earned by the resort community and its tennis staff.  

With 34 tennis courts, including four indoor and 14 Har-Tru clay, and 25 teaching professionals, Sea Colony Tennis, under Tennis Director Dr. Dave Marshall, offers a wide range of camps, clinics and private instruction to tennis players of all ages and skill levels.  

Supported by the Sea Colony homeowners, the tennis program has produced state champions, junior national champions and top collegiate tennis players, while earning kudos from state and regional tennis organizations. Earlier this month in Las Vegas, Nev., the Sea Colony team, captained by Marshall, won its third consecutive USTA League national championship when it won the Men’s 5.5 division.

In May, Tennis Resorts Online, published by former Tennis Magazine Editor Roger Cox, ranked the seaside resort community in Delaware’s Quiet Resorts No. 16 in the world. 

In addition to its world-class tennis offerings, Sea Colony, which is professionally  managed by ResortQuest Delaware, features a wide variety of amenities including a half mile of private beach, 12 pools (two indoor), fitness centers, year-round security and in-season children’s programs. Sea Colony vacation rentals, available through ResortQuest, range from oceanfront condos to secluded single families homes and start at $76 per night. 

About ResortQuest
Since the early 1970s, ResortQuest Delaware has provided leading resort real estate sales, vacation rental and homeowner association management services to Sea Colony and other fine communities in Delaware’s Quiet Resorts. With three offices on Route 1 in Bethany Beach, ResortQuest Delaware offers comprehensive vacation rental services to more than 980 vacation rental properties in the resort area. In 2007, the realty firm (along with recently acquired Seacoast Realty) handled more real estate transactions in Sussex County than all other companies combined. Its association management division represents the needs of nearly 6,000 homeowners in 43 associations from Lewes to Fenwick Island, Delaware. Based in Destin-Fla., ResortQuest is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Leucadia National Corp. (NYSE: LUK).

Doubles tennis takes center court at Sea Colony on Saturday, July 12. Headlining the day is Dave Macpherson, coach of the top-ranked doubles team of the Bryan brothers, and Glen Alex, the brothers’ massage therapist.

The Sea Colony tennis staff, under the direction of Tennis Director Dr. Dave Marshall, will start the day with doubles clinics from 9-11 a.m. The pro-am follows at 1 p.m. The pro expo, featuring Macpherson, starts at 5 p.m. Alex will offer massage demonstrations throughout the day.

Currently ranked No. 1 in the world, The Bryan brothers advanced to the men’s doubles semifinals at Wimbledon last week. Bob Bryan and partner Samantha Stosur won the Wimbledon mixed doubles title, beating brother Mike Bryan and partner Katarina Srebotnik in the finals. Last year, the twin phenoms completed the career Grand Slam, winning the U.S. Open, Wimbledon, French Open and Australian Open. The pair boasts a combined 96 titles and career earnings of nearly $9.9 million, according to the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP Web site – atptennis.com).

All of the day’s events are free, though donations will be accepted for the Delmarva Youth Tennis Foundation and the Bethany Beach Volunteer Fire Company.

Supported by the Sea Colony homeowners, “The Premier Family Beach & Tennis Resort Community” offers 34 tennis courts (four indoor and 14 Har-Tru) and 25 teaching professionals. The Sea Colony tennis staff conducts clinics, camps and private lessons throughout the year.

Ranked among Tennis Magazine’s “50 Best U.S. Resorts” – including No. 3 for families, No. 3 for match-ups and No. 1 for bargains – and No. 16 in the world by Tennis Resorts Online, published by former Tennis Magazine editor Roger Cox, Sea Colony is one of the East Coast’s top tennis facilities.

Located just south of Bethany Beach, Sea Colony, professionally managed by ResortQuest, also features a half-mile of private beach, 12 pools (two indoor), fitness centers, activities for all ages, community shuttle and year-round security.

Sea Colony vacation rentals, available through ResortQuest, range from oceanfront condos to secluded single families homes and start at $76 per night.

Ranked No. 19 last year, the seaside resort community climbed three places to No. 16 on TRO’s “Top 100 Tennis Resorts & Camps in 2008.” This global recognition is the latest in local, regional and national honors earned by Sea Colony and its tennis staff.

Posted on TennisResortsOnline.com, published by former Tennis Magazine editor Roger Cox, TRO’s annual rankings, now in their ninth year, are determined by vacationers, who were asked to evaluate resorts and camps in 20 categories, from the quality of the tennis programs to lodging.

With 34 tennis courts, including four indoor and 14 Har-Tru clay, and 25 teaching professionals, Sea Colony’s tennis operations, under Tennis Director Dr. Dave Marshall, offer a wide range of camps, clinics and private instruction to players of all ages and skill levels.

Supported by the Sea Colony homeowners, the tennis program has produced state and national champions, elite juniors and top collegiate tennis players, while earning kudos from state and regional tennis organizations. Among the top junior players who play and train at Sea Colony are national champions Jessi Robinson, Shannon Buck and Ashlee Vosters, as well as 2007 Wimbledon girls singles finalist Madison Brengle.

Sea Colony’s squad, captained by Marshall, won the men’s open division national title at the 2007 United States Tennis Association (USTA) League championships, held in October in Las Vegas, Nev.

In October 2006, Tennis Magazine included the resort community among its “50 Best U.S. Tennis Resorts,” including ranking Sea Colony #1 for bargains, #3 for families and #3 for match-ups.

In addition to its world-class tennis offerings, Sea Colony, which is professionally managed by ResortQuest Delaware, features a wide variety of amenities, including a newly-widened half mile of private beach, 12 pools (two indoor), fitness centers, activities for all ages, community shuttle, year-round security and wireless Internet.

About ResortQuest Delaware
Since the early 1970s, ResortQuest Delaware has provided real estate sales, vacation rental and homeowner association management services to Sea Colony and other fine communities in Delaware’s Quiet Resorts, as well as the surrounding coastal areas. With 10 offices in southern Delaware and Ocean City, Md., the company offers comprehensive vacation rental services to more than 950 vacation rental properties. In 2007, ResortQuest, and its recently-acquired Seacoast Realty operations, combined for $579 transactions in Sussex County – more than any other broker – totaling more than $249.79 million in gross real estate volume, according to the Sussex County Association of REALTORS® Multiple Listing Service. Its homeowner association management division represents the needs of nearly 6,000 homeowners in 43 associations from Lewes to Fenwick Island, Delaware.

A wholly-owned subsidiary of Leucadia National Corp. (NYSE: LUK), Destin, Fla.-based ResortQuest is one of the nation’s leading vacation rental and real estate companies focusing exclusively on resort properties, offering superior brokerage services in the country’s premier beach, ski and golf destinations and their surrounding communities.