The Hilton Tennis Club warmly invites past and present members to join us on Sunday 14th September as we celebrate our 75th Anniversary. The day will be filled with reminiscences from past members. Here is a taste of some of the history.
Founded in 1950 by Lance Roberts, Hilton Tennis Club has grown from humble beginnings into the thriving organisation it is today. The club’s story began on the McIntosh property, opposite what is now the Garden of Remembrance, with just one court and a small hut.
A significant turning point came in the early 1950s when James Craib generously donated five acres of land for the establishment of a sports club. Under the leadership of Chairman Kenneth Fowle, a dedicated committee of tennis enthusiasts built a small wooden pole hut and three earthen courts – which, after Hilton’s characteristic rain, could take up to two weeks to dry. Roy Ingles, the club’s treasurer, personally levelled the courts, while other key committee members included Secretary George Florence, Shirley and Neil Forsyth, and Hazel and Bill Dunn. With no electricity and only borehole water, tea was brewed over a log fire.
The 1960s brought change. The arrival of municipal water from the Pietermaritzburg Corporation attracted an influx of young families to Hilton, boosting club membership. The three courts were eventually upgraded, and in the 1970s, under Chairman Dave Douglas, the club partnered with Hilton Health Committee Chairman Keith Wimble to build a brick clubhouse, tar the courts, and replace the chicken-wire fencing. Funding was aided by a sold-out dance in the historic Hilton Hotel ballroom, which also sparked a surge in membership and enabled the club to repay its loan in record time.
In 1974, thanks to club member and electrical contractor Vernon Hickinbotham, floodlights were installed at cost, making evening play possible and further increasing membership. In 2025, these lights were modernised and brought up to standard by Matelec, through the generosity of current member, Lindsay Bam.
As we celebrate our 75th anniversary, we invite the community to join us on Sunday, 14 September, for a special event featuring stories, photographs, and memories from past members – including the origins of our much-loved Christmas concerts. It promises to be a celebration not only of tennis, but of the friendships and community spirit that have defined Hilton Tennis Club for three-quarters of a century.
To help us with catering arrangements, please confirm your attendance as soon as possible by sending a WhatsApp message to Janet Thomson (083 327 6256).
