Tennis is played at Petworth House by courtesy of the National Trust and of the Rt. Hon. Lord
Egremont, and controlled by a committee, including a nominee of the National 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 seven Vice-Presidents, all of whom
have given distinguished service to P.H.T.C. over many years. These are N.W. Smith,
D.J.E. Foster, B.L. Ellis, J.R. Greenwood, M.B.E., D.L., D.R, Brazier, Sir John Ritblat,
and M.R. Fairbarns.
The P.H.T.C. Committee has had five Chairmen since it was formed in 1962. The founder was
Andy Dawson and he 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 until 1994, from when David Godfray took over the reins of power, and he continues
to serve in that capacity. Julian Francis, who was previously Hon. Secretary, is Vice-Chairman.
The P.H.T.C. Committee is made up of thirteen Directors including the Chairman and Vice-
Chairman, and it controls Club policy matters. Day to day management is in the hands of
Philip Robinson (Hon. Secretary), Julian Wilkinson (Hon. Treasurer), Lucy Hutchinson (Hon.
Membership Secretary), and Carolyn Armstrong-Smith (Hon. Fixtures Secretary). They are
supported by Chris Bray (Head Professional) and Tom Durack (Senior Professional).
In addition to the officers listed above, the other Directors are Simon Knight (the nominee of
Lord Egremont and of the National Trust), Charles Fuente, Carole Muir, Andrew Page, Nigel
Draffan, Robert Dolman, and Andrew Falk. Harvey Rawlings is an Alternate Director in Andrew
Page’s absence.
Other responsibilities are in the hands of Mike Steward who is in charge of maintenance of the
Club, and Alan Chalmers who is Hon. Editor of the Newsletter
01/10/09
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