Winter Court 2026–27 | Traverse City Tennis & Pickleball
Winter Court
A recap of 2026 on Traverse City's courts and a look ahead to the winter season: where to take lessons indoors, where to drop in for pickleball, and the gear we're stringing up.
Local News
TC West girls make history
The Titans won their first Big North Conference tournament title, then took second at regionals to reach the state finals for the first time in program history, led by No. 1 singles player Sloane Barclay. Varsity coach Cassie Kraus was named Regional Coach of the Year.
Ansley wins her first state championship
St. Francis senior Mary-Kate Ansley won the Division 4 state title at No. 2 singles at the Midland Tennis Complex, beating Ann Arbor Greenhills' Hazel Morgan 6-3, 6-3. She finished her Gladiator career as a state champion.
Ansley and McClellan named Players of the Year
St. Francis teammates Mary-Kate Ansley and Elliana McClellan were both named Record-Eagle Players of the Year. Ansley credited McClellan, the team's No. 1 singles player, with pushing her in practice throughout her high school career.
Fosgard retires at St. Francis
Dane Fosgard has retired after seven years as tennis coach at Traverse City St. Francis, and Michael LeVan now leads the Gladiators. Fosgard will keep serving local players at TC Tennis & Pickleball and TC Tennis Academy.
Central boys punch their state ticket
Traverse City Central, led by head coach Casey Christensen, took second at its regional this fall to qualify for the state finals for the 20th consecutive year.
Glen Lake finishes third in state
Glen Lake tennis closed its fall season on the podium with a third-place finish at the state finals. It was the final high school season for No. 1 singles player Hawthorne Sutherland, who graduates this year.
Michael LeVan returns to the Grand Traverse Bay YMCA
Michael LeVan is back on the teaching staff at the Grand Traverse Bay YMCA, giving Y members another familiar pro on court this winter alongside his new role at St. Francis.
Cam Muller joins Grand Traverse Resort as head pro
Cam Muller has joined the tennis staff at Grand Traverse Resort & Spa as a head pro, working alongside current head pro Juan Guerra. The two lead the Resort's advanced drills and head-pro private lessons this season.
The Bob Swanson Memorial Tennis Tournament
Grand Traverse Resort and the Northern Michigan Tennis Association will host the annual Bob Swanson Memorial Tennis Tournament this winter. "The Bob" honors Bob Swanson and raises money for scholarships for graduating seniors who compete in USTA Northern Michigan. Expect men's, women's and mixed doubles divisions across several levels, plus the Saturday night Bob Bash.
Registration through the USTA tournament site · Questions: George Lowe, 231-534-6776
Winter Lessons
Two of the region's biggest indoor tennis programs are running full winter schedules. Here's what each offers and what it costs.
Grand Traverse Resort & Spa
The Club's program covers everything from 4-year-olds on red-ball courts to a two-hour 4.0+ drill. Hotel and local guests can register for classes, though members get priority.
Adult weekly schedule
| Day | Time | Program |
|---|---|---|
| Tue | 10:00–11:30a | Live Ball (3.0+) |
| Tue | 11:30a–1:00p | 4.0+ Drill |
| Tue · Thu | 7:30–9:00p | Advanced Drill |
| Wed | 6:00–8:00p | Top Gun Doubles League (3.5+, Fast4) |
| Thu | 6:00–8:00p | Mixed Doubles League |
| Fri | 9:30–11:00a | Intermediate Drill (3.0+) |
| Fri | 11:00a–1:00p | Advanced Drill |
| Sat | 9:00–10:30a | Cardio Tennis |
Pricing · member / guest
| Cardio, Live Ball, 4.0+ Drill (90 min) | $20 / $40 |
| Intermediate or Advanced Drill (90 min) | $25 / $45 |
| Advanced Drill (2 hr) | $35 / $55 |
| Private lesson, head pro (1 hr) | $80 / $100 |
| Private lesson, staff pro (1 hr) | $65 / $85 |
| Indoor court rental (per hr) | $16 / $30 |
Juniors
Red, orange, green and yellow ball levels run Monday and Wednesday afternoons, with Saturday morning sessions for the younger groups and High Performance classes for middle and high schoolers. Winter 1 runs December 7 to January 31 (off December 21 to January 3). Winter 2 runs February 1 to March 14.
George Lowe, Tennis Director · 231-534-6776
Lisa Seymour, leagues & contract time · 231-534-6786
Grand Traverse Bay YMCA – West
The West Y runs 90-minute drop-in adult classes six days a week, plus youth programs, private lessons and pro-led team practices for USTA league squads.
Adult class schedule
| Day | Time | Class |
|---|---|---|
| Mon | 9:00a | Doubles Drill |
| Mon | 10:30a | Advanced Doubles Drill (3.5+) |
| Tue | 11:30a | Adult Drill and Play |
| Tue | 7:30p | Intermediate (3.0–3.5) |
| Wed · Sat | 9:00a | Cardio Tennis |
| Thu | 9:00a | Matchplay with a Pro |
| Thu | 7:30p | Advanced (4.0+) |
| Fri | 10:00a | Live Ball |
Pricing · member / non-member
| Drop-in class | $30 / $40 |
| 10-class punch card | $200 / $275 |
| Court reservation (per hr) | $20 |
| Ball machine (per hr) | $5 |
Members also get free early-morning court time on weekdays, 5:30 to 8:00am.
Arin Enge, Director of Tennis · Front desk 231-933-9622
Indoor Pickleball
When the snow flies, the local game moves inside. These are the two busiest indoor spots in town.
South YMCA
The original Y on Racquet Club Drive is now a pickleball hub, with daily drop-in play, a ladder league that matches players by level each week, and a Friday evening Challenge session.
| Daily drop-in (member / non-member) | $10 / $20 |
| Monthly unlimited drop-in (members) | $80 |
| Reserved court, members only (per hr) | $20 |
| Private lesson (member / community) | $60 / $80 |
Drop-in runs on all six courts from 9am most days, with some courts set aside for reservations in the afternoon and evening. Check the Y's posted court schedule before you go.
231-933-9622
Pickle U
The region's first fully dedicated indoor pickleball facility. No membership is needed, courts can be booked up to 14 days out, and instructors run group and private lessons, including true-beginner classes.
| Open play (per person, per hr) | $7 |
| Court reservation, 1 hr (up to 6) | $28 |
| Court reservation, 2 hr | $50 |
| Ball machine (per hr) | $7 |
| Paddle rental (per hr) | $2.50 |
Rates as posted by Pickle U; call ahead to confirm winter hours.
231-486-5250 · contact@pickleutc.com
The Gear
Indoor courts play faster and lower. Here's what we're putting in players' hands this winter, all in stock at 741 Woodmere.
Tennis racquets
Babolat Pure Aero 98
The tighter, control-minded Aero. Heavy topspin with a 98 head for advanced baseliners.
$309Wilson Defyer 98 Pro
Wilson's newest player's frame. Solid, stable and precise for players who make their own pace.
$299Yonex Ezone 98
Plush feel with easy depth. A favorite for players who want control without giving up comfort.
$305Head Boom MP 2026
Lively and forgiving, with a big sweet spot for doubles at the net.
$259Pickleball paddles
Holbrook Fuze VantaGrit
Grippy face for spin, in widebody, hybrid and elongated shapes.
$199.99Selkirk Omni Widebody
Premium Selkirk feel with a forgiving widebody face.
$300JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16mm
Ben Johns' paddle in JOOLA's newest Pro V build. Big pop and heavy spin with a stable 16mm core.
$299.95Shoes & string
Wilson Rush Pro 5
Stable, supportive and built to last through a full winter of indoor drills.
$170Wilson Intrigue Pro
Wilson's first tennis shoe designed specifically for women, with a fit built around a woman's foot.
$145Wilson Pickle Pro
Built for quick lateral moves. Running shoes won't give you that support. Men's and women's.
$110Luxilon ALU Power 125
The tour-favorite poly for control and spin.
$21.50 / setWilson NXT
Soft and comfortable. Our go-to for arm-friendly setups.
$23.95 / setTry before you buy
Not sure which racquet or paddle is right for you? Take one home and play with it for a full week. Demos are $10 per racquet or paddle, and you get up to $20 in credit toward your purchase.
Restring for winter
Strings lose tension sitting in a cold car all fall. Drop your racquet off for expert stringing and grab a fresh overgrip while you're in.
Sources
Schedules and prices come from each venue's published pages and brochures as of November 2026 and can change. Confirm with the venue before you go.
- Traverse City Record-Eagle, fall 2026 prep tennis coverage
- Record-Eagle, TC West wins 1st girls tennis BNC tourney title
- Record-Eagle, TCSF's Ansley wins tennis state title
- Grand Traverse Resort, Tennis and Pickleball and 2026–27 adult and junior brochures
- Grand Traverse Bay YMCA, Adult Tennis
- Grand Traverse Bay YMCA, Pickleball
- Pickle U, Rates
- TC Tennis & Pickleball