Van Der Meer Tennis Academy
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, United States
What's new at Van Der Meer Tennis Academy
2 of today's pros grew up on these courts.
- Bella Payne #557 WTA
- Jelani Sarr #2206 ATP
Junior academy and adult tennis centre on Hilton Head Island, founded by coach Dennis Van der Meer, with full-time training, camps and clinics at two sites. Full-time players are day students and go to partner schools nearby or study online.
Programmes and prices
What they sell and what it costs, as published on Oct 15, 2026.
- Full-time academy, mornings and afternoons: full-time, ranked juniors (state to ITF level) and high school players. USD 27,600 / year · USD 14,600 fall semester · USD 17,100 spring semester
- Full-time academy, afternoons only: full-time, ranked juniors who study in the morning. USD 22,450 / year · USD 11,800 fall semester · USD 13,800 spring semester
- Drop-in training for visiting juniors: juniors with a recent tournament record, approved by the academy. USD 995 / week · USD 225 / day · USD 100 a morning session
- Junior holiday clinics: juniors 12 to 18, all levels. USD 995 Thanksgiving week (21 hours) · USD 835 winter week (18 hours)
- Junior summer camp: juniors 12 and up, all levels. USD 995 / week · USD 725 for the short last week
- Red, orange and green ball classes: kids 5 to 11. USD 360 for 1 day a week · USD 684 for 2 · USD 990 for 3
- Youth summer day camp: kids 5 to 11. USD 275 / week · USD 65 / day
- Adult weeklong and weekend clinics: adults, rated 2.0 to 4.5. USD 450 / week (18 hours) · USD 325 / weekend (9 hours)
- Boomer clinics: adults 50 and over, rated 2.0 to 4.5. USD 430 / week (16 hours) · USD 240 / weekend (8 hours)
- Drill & play and doubles weekend clinics: adults, rated 3.0 to 5.0. USD 325 / weekend (9 hours)
- Daily drills and round robins at Shipyard: adults, drop in. USD 25 / session Stroke of the Day · USD 40 intermediate drill · USD 55 advanced drill · USD 15 round robin
- Private lessons: adults and juniors. USD 70 / hour · USD 175 / hour with the academy director
Deals and codes
- Full-year academy contract includes the New Year's camp
- Academy scholarships based on ranking
- Youth day camp: USD 250 a week when you book 4 weeks or more
- Teams and groups of 10 or more: 10% off
- Round robins: series of six for USD 80
- Membership with no initiation fee and member discounts
The facts
- Courts at two sites: 34 (14 hard at the Tennis Center (4 covered), 20 at Shipyard: 13 clay, 7 hard, 3 of them indoor)
- Academy founded: 1985 (by Dennis Van der Meer; Van Der Meer Tennis on Hilton Head since 1979)
- Hours on court a week: 22.5 (full-time AM and PM programme: Tue–Fri 8–10 and 3–5:30, Monday afternoon, Saturday morning)
- Full-time from: USD 22,450 (a year for afternoons only; USD 27,600 with mornings too, day students)
- Junior camp week: USD 995 (22.5 hours, ages 12 and up, summer and holiday weeks)
- Youth programme from age: 5 (red, orange and green ball groups for kids 5 to 11)
- Boarding: Limited junior housing, ask them
- School on site: No, partner schools nearby
- From age: 5
- Adults: Clinics, daily drills, lessons
- Visits: Tours on request
- Locations: Two sites on Hilton Head
Coaches
- Brian DeVilliers, Academy co-director, former WTA tour coach
- Derek Porter, Academy co-director, director of college placement
- Pat Van der Meer, Lead coach, coached with founder Dennis
- Tommy Shimada, ATP tour coach and doubles specialist
- Elizma Nortje, Head pro, runs the mental toughness programme
- Aurandrea Payne, Head pro, former WTA player
- Louie Cap, Head pro, PTR master professional
- Steve Rickard, Director of tennis operations since 1983
Tournaments they host
- Shipyard Cup, men's and women's USD 15K. Nov 2–8, 2026, pro event at Shipyard with a free kids' day
- USTA junior Level 5 flighted. Oct 30 – Nov 1, 2026, junior tournament
- USTA L3 National Open, boys and girls 16s. Sep 12–14, 2026
- USTA junior Level 6 summer end, 12s to 18s. Aug 6–7, 2026
- USTA adult championships. 2026: national men's 65+ team, 55+ state, 65+ and 75+ events
Where it is
Shipyard Drive, Hilton Head Island, SC 29938.
Also in United States
- Smith Stearns Tennis Academy 7 km, Hilton Head Island. 3 pros raised, best Jessica Pegula #4 WTA
- LTP Tennis 112 km, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. 1 pro raised, best Emma Navarro #28 WTA
- The Bolles School 229 km, Jacksonville, Florida. 1 pro raised, best Adam Lynch #1303 ATP
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