Eden Epsom was founded in 1886 and the first tennis ball was served the same year that Mt Tarawera erupted.
Originally the club was a tennis and croquet club; however, over the years interest in croquet waned and in 1963 two squash courts were added. A further court was constructed a few years later.
In 1986 the club celebrated its centenary by completing a redevelopment that boasted 2 glassback squash courts, relaying the tennis courts in synthetic grass and adding floodlighting. Lounge, bar and changing-room facilities were made first class.
Eden Epsom Tennis & Squash Club has been part of the Eden Epsom community for 121 years.
1886
July 26th. The first committee meeting to arrange the club formation was held in Cucksey's store, Mt Eden (now Frasers Cafe).
Land is leased from Udy's Farm and 4 Tennis courts are installed at a cost of 40 pounds.
November 30th. The 1st Season was declared open. Men were allowed to play Monday to Saturday, and Ladies Monday to Friday. No play on Sundays.
1893
Hosted NZ Tennis Championship
1896
2 Croquet Lawns were added and club became Eden Epsom Tennis and Croquet Club.
1900
2 additional tennis courts added (courts now total 6)
Glimpse of the Lawns 1903
Prize Takers 1903
1909
Tennis Pavilion built for 250 pounds.
1910
Tennis courts moved 50m back from Mt Eden Rd frontage and re-laid. Hosted NZ Tennis Championships
1913
Hosted NZ Tennis Championships
1920
Inaugural Caro Bowl played at Eden Epsom
1921
Hosted Final NZ tennis Championships for the final time before they moved to the new headquarters of Auckland Tennis in Stanley Street.
Croquet was split from EE and the club renamed Eden Epson Lawn Tennis Club.
1922
Club land bought freehold for 1,400 pounds.
1923
Ladies allowed to play on Saturdays
1926
First Motor Mower bought for 70 pounds. Horse and Mower retired
1934
Sunday play allowed between 1pm and 6pm
1939
Electricity added for water heating, lights and a new electric mower.
Eden Epsom - Winners of Caro Bowl 1939
1941
Right of Way strip of land bought giving pedestrian access to Mt Eden Rd for 108 pounds.
1963
2 Squash courts built costing 9,800 pounds. These were completed in April and officially opened on 10 June.
7 Pencarrow Rd bought for 8,500 pounds.
Foundation work for Squash Courts 1963
Constructing Driveway (view towards Penrhyn Road) 1963
Building in Progress - Squash Courts 1963
Completed Squash Courts 1963
1965
2 porous all-weather tennis courts laid costing 4,180 pounds. A first for NZ
1971
3rd Squash court built along with more changing rooms, a kitchen, entrance foyer and upstairs, a spacious lounge with bar facilities. $35,000.
1972
Reciprocal rights arranged with Royal South Yarra Club in Melbourne
1974
Floodlights added to the 2 all-weather tennis courts. $13,000
1984
7a Pencarrow Rd bought
1986
Astro turf laid on all 6 tennis courts
2 glass backed squash courts added
1988
Flood lights added for all tennis courts.
7a Pencarrow Rd sold
1995
Tennis Viewing Deck added
2008
Tennis courts relaid in blue and green coloured Astroturf.
Laying New Courts January 2008
Celebrate Squash Club Champs and the opening of our new bar and lounge. June 8th, only $15pp includes light dinner from 6.30pm, All Blacks on big screen and a chance to win a magnum of champagne. Tickets from the office or bar.
P.S. Above included for all players in the tournament.
Thinking of selling? Call clubmember Joanne Rae on 632 1298 or click here.
For red hot broadband deals, wireless broadband, tolls and more call 0800 384956 or click here.
For better commercial insurance service, call Geoff Manks on 950 4902 or click here.
Our club has benefited from grants from these funding organisations
If you are interested in sponsoring our club please visit the Sponsors Advertorial page.