CHARLES OSBORNE formerly Professional at Prince’s Club in Brighton, was employed occasionally to mark important matches at Petworth House; in the Petworth match book, he is listed as marking most of the club matches from October 1965 through until December 1967.

This photo (left) is particularly interesting as far as the Professionals at Petworth House are concerned. It was taken at the Prince’s Club in Brighton in 1936 on the occasion of the playing of the Browning Cup, the handicap tournament for Professional Tennis players. It was won by Albert Johnson, receive ½ 15. Reading from left to right, those standing are Emile Latham, (Lord’s), Charles Osborne (Prince’s Brighton), Harry Lambert (Lord’s) , Bill Tutt (Prince’s Knightsbridge), Neville Johnson (Leamington), Eric Twinn (Cambridge), Willie Ratcliffe (Queen’s Club), and Reg Goodey (Prince’s Knightsbridge). Those seated are Albert Johnson (Queen’s Club), Douglas H. Barry (Chairman of Prince’s Knightsbridge), Lord Leconfield, Captain R. K. Price (MCC Gold Racket winner 1920), and George Cooke (Manchester). Neville and Albert Johnson were the sons of the great Edward Johnson, Professional at Moreton Morrell.

GEORGE COOKE came to live on the estate in 1971 following his retirement after fifty years’ service as professional at Manchester. In the Petworth entry in “The Willis Faber Book of Tennis & Rackets” by Lord Aberdare (1980), Denis Smith-Bingham wrote:

“George Cooke was much loved by all who came in contact with him. Although, owing to failing health, he was unable to play, he offered enormous encouragement by coaching any player who needed his advice. During the eight years he was at Petworth, he worked tirelessly to maintain the court and surroundings, marked all matches and was always ready to mark individual games. Since he died in 1978, Mrs Cooke has been a pillar of strength in generally helping look after the court, assisting at social functions and spreading good humour in all directions. But woebetide you if she caught you throwing the ball basket back along the floor having emptied the contents into the dedans trough!”

CHRIS BRAY was appointed Professional in June 1988, after being trained by Brian Church at Cambridge (from September 1982) and then by Peter Dawes at Seacourt (Hayling Island), where he was Assistant Professional.

Chris Bray’s time at Petworth, which he left in 2005, included magnificent tournament achievements by him during which time he became variously Open Singles Champion of Australia, France, the USA, and Great Britain; he was also Professional Singles Champion of Great Britain and the USA, and on top of that amazing haul, he accumulated fourteen Open Doubles titles across the world.

Chris was a dedicated teaching Professional who set a high standard of technique and etiquette amongst his 250 or so members, and he was enthusiastic for their success at all levels of play. During his time at Petworth, court usage regularly exceeded 90% throughout the year. Chris Bray trained as Assistant Professionals Adam Phillips (1990/92), Fergus Jenkins (1993/94), Martin Jones (1994/96), Mark Coghlan (1996/98), Nick Garnett (1998/2000), Tom Durack (from 2000), and most recently Lee Andrews (2004/6).

NICK WOOD started playing at Jesmond Dene in Newcastle at the age of 14.  His first success came at 17 when he won the British Under 18 Championships as an amateur.  The next day he joined the professional ranks, studying the game under the tutelage of former World Champion, Chris Ronaldson at Hampton Court Palace.  Nick carried on his successes through the age groups winning both the British Under 21s and Under 24s on three successive occasions.  Nick broke in to the senior ranks by winning the 1998 European Open in Paris. 

In September 1998 Nick became the head professional at the Holyport Real Tennis Club and celebrated his new appointment by winning the inaugural Dresdner Kleinwort Benson Classic Singles & Doubles at Hampton Court.  Nick and his then assistant, Steve Virgona won the 1999 I.R.T.P.A. National League for Holyport. The year 2000 was probably Nick's most successful, winning the British Professional Championships, the US Professional Singles Championships, the Seacourt Silver Racket and reaching the final of the Australian Open Singles. In the 2002/03 season Nick defeated World Champion Rob Fahey en route to securing another Premier Division Title with new partner Andrew Lyons, competed in the World Championships, losing to Tim Chisholm.

In recent years Nick has proved himself to be one of the game's greatest exponents, often described as a ‘classic player’, he is the favourite among the ‘purists’ and has won numerous Open Doubles Titles. Nick qualified for the World Championship in 2004 and 2006 but due to injury was unable to participate. In November 2005 Nick moved from Holyport to become the Head Professional at The Petworth House Tennis Court. Following a series of changes in the world of the Tennis Professionals, Nick moved back to the Royal Tennis Court to take over the position of Head Professional in March 2008.