It would be tempting to attribute Kurt Edelbrock’s commitment to tennis to the fact that he owns the courts at Taos Tennis at Quail Ridge Taos as well as the nearby swimming pool and building that houses the pro shop.
But the truth is Edelbrock has been running a solid program on these courts since 1980 (with a few brief lapses when owners mistakenly thought they could to better), long before he became the proprietor. And it’s also true that under his ownership the complex expanded from eight to ten courts, a necessity to meet the demand he created, especially in summer, when there are one or more tennis activities scheduled for adults every day. He supplements that with several sanctioned and unsanctioned tournaments during summer and fall and weekly sessions for juniors and a couple of summer junior day camps. And such is his passion, that even in winter, he’ll spread sheets of black visqueen (a polyethylene plastic) over a couple of courts to melt the snow, so it is actually possible to play there year-round.
“This is my heart and soul,” he told me as we sat courtside having beers after a late-afternoon clinic. “We’ve got such an athletic community that a facility like this can stay busy,”
If you show up at the courts—whether you rent one of the adjacent condos or stay anywhere else in town—and the staff will find a way to get you involved.
Edelbrock did not start out to be a tennis player. A solid athlete—he lettered in five sports and captained the football team at a small junior college in Southern California—he didn’t take up tennis until he was 22 and living in Arizona. He went on to graduate from the University of Arizona, studying kinesthesiology and biomechanics, where noted tennis coach Bill Murphy helped him with his game even though he wasn’t on the team. That led to a head pro position in Tucson and in 1980 to an offer to run what was then the Tennis Ranch of Taos.
“From the time I was 10 I wanted to run a resort,” he remembers. “And because I started tennis later in life, I still have a lust for the game. I enjoy every day I’m on the tennis court.”
At Taos Tennis he has either a clinic or drop-in doubles or both scheduled for every day of the week for adults. He supplements that with several tournaments, two of them sanctioned, the largest of which draws 140 competitors. “After most of the events we’ll have cocktails or brunch afterwards,” he told me. So he draws widely. On any given day, he says they get “a nice blend of condo owners, guests, and people staying in town.”
Outside the Lines
Dining: Next door is Common Fire, a full-service restaurant with an outdoor patio and beautiful view. Their menu features classic American dishes and Asian-influenced plates and bowls.
Lodging
The resort consists of clusters of individually owned condominiums, each with a full kitchen and a wood-burning kiva fireplace, and all within an easy walk of the courts. Edelbrock himself manages about 25 of the units, so by renting through him you’re assured of full membership privileges. For more information about lodging, visit Quail Ridge Taos.
Travel
Seasons: Year-round.
General Tourist Information: For general information about New Mexico travel, check out the New Mexico Tourism Department website.
