THE COMMITTEE OF “THE PETWORTH HOUSE TENNIS COURT” (P.H.T.C.)

Tennis is played at Petworth House by courtesy of the National Trust and of the Rt. Hon. Lord Egremont, and controlled by a committee which includes a nominee of the Trust, which is responsible for the upkeep of the structure of the court, and of Lord Egremont, who owns the estate.

Lord Egremont is the President of P.H.T.C., and there are six Vice-Presidents, all of whom have given distinguished service to P.H.T.C. over many years, and these are: N.W. Smith, D.J.E. Foster, B. L. Ellis, J. R. Greenwood D L, D.R. Brazier, and Sir John Ritblat.

The P.H.T.C. Committee has had five Chairmen since it was first formed in 1962. The founder Andy Dawson was the prime mover in the reopening of the court in 1960. In 1962 he became the first Chairman and served until 1974. Eddie Harrison took over in 1974 and served until 1987. Then Captain Johnnie Coote became Chairman through to 1993; Jack Phelps held the office from 1993 to 1994, from when David Godfray took over the reins of power, and he continues to serve in that capacity. Martin Fairbarns, who served for eighteen years as Hon. Secretary, is Vice-Chairman.

The P.H.T.C. Committee controls Club policy matters, whereas day to day control is in the hands of the Professionals. Administration is carried out by Julian Francis, the Hon. Secretary;  Philip Robinson is the Hon. Membership Secretary, and matters financial are dealt with by Julian Wilkinson, the Hon. Treasurer. Club matches are organised by Carolyn Armstrong-Smith, the Hon. Fixtures Secretary.

In addition to the officers listed above, the other members of the P.H.T.C. Committee are Simon Knight, (the nominee of Lord Egremont and of the National Trust), Andrew Page, Nigel Draffan, Charles Fuente, Carole Muir and Robert Dolman.