History
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Melcombe Regis Lawn Tennis Club was founded in 1901 and was originally called Melcombe Regis Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club because, like most Victorian clubs at the time, it also boasted a croquet lawn.
The courts were originally leased from the 6th Earl of Wilton, but in 1922 the Club had the opportunity to buy the land from the Earl for the sum of £760. However, the purchase money was borrowed, as were further other sums and it seems that to repay the loans the club embarked on a series of land sales, with the result that by 1946 it was left with two red shale courts and a wooden pavilion.
The club was highly selective in who it allowed to join its ranks and was mainly made up of local professional people.
In the post-war years, the club had a steady membership with teams competing in the Dorset Leagues. In 1981 it was decided to replace the wooden pavilion with a brick- built clubhouse which would include more modern necessities such as toilets, showers and catering facilities.
In May 2001 Melcombe Regis Tennis club celebrated its centenary and local clubs were invited to a day of festivities.
In 2005 a decision was taken to further improve the facilities offered at the club to bring it up to 21st century standards. The red shale courts were replaced by two superb artificial grass courts, new fencing was erected and the clubhouse was completely revamped.