For more than three decades, a group of women at the Ansley Golf Club have been showing up to the courts with tennis rackets in hand, smiles on their faces, and more than a few knee braces strapped on for good measure. 

This women’s tennis team, now in its thirtieth year together in some form, holds the distinction of being one of the longest-running groups at the club. Its members range in age from their mid-50s to 90, proving that passion for tennis — and the friendships it fosters — has no expiration date.

The team is as much about camaraderie as competition. One longtime player summed it up perfectly: 

Over the years, that search for partners has turned into lasting bonds, with teammates gathering not just for matches, but for luncheons, celebrations, and the occasional post-victory Campari. 

While the team has been together through fun times, it has also held strong through illness, injuries, and personal losses — supporting one another both on and off the court.

On the court, fashion trends take a backseat to comfort and authenticity. Flip-flops are the footwear of choice after a match, racquets show the character of years well-played, and style is measured less in brand names than in laughter and loyalty. 

One member, who just turned 90, still comes out to play — a testament to the longevity and spirit that runs through this group.

Their level of play has evolved with time as well. In earlier years, the team competed at A-Level ALTA. As the years have gone by, they’ve moved down to B-Level, but the shift has brought no shortage of determination — just a new kind of strategy. 

“As people evolve with age, so does the tennis game — from a power game to a smart placement game,” one member explained. 

Another added with a grin, 

“Watch out for women with one or more knee braces on!”

In the early days, some players practiced four or five times a week — and sometimes even twice a day. Now, practices are fewer, but the spirit is the same.

Signature shots have adapted too: once drives, now lobs and drop shots, perfectly placed to outsmart an opponent. 

And among the team’s most unique quirks? A pair of twins — one right-handed, the other left-handed — who bring their own brand of symmetry to doubles play.

The Ansley Golf Club women’s team isn’t only about winning sets; it’s about creating a space where generations overlap, where history and humor live side by side, and where being “ready to play” means showing up for each other as much as for the game.

“Friendship,” said one player when asked what matters most. 

Another captured it in three words: “Fun, friendship, fitness.” 

A third added, “To quit would be ending an era.” 

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