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OUR HISTORY

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The first meeting to establish a permanent home for a Tennis Club in the Rockcliffe area was held on September 9, 1922. At that meeting the following officers were elected: President: D.P., Cruikshank, Vice President: Col. F.L. Armstrong, Secretary-Treasurer: Lawrence J. Burpee and the Executive Committee consisted of H.S. Southam, Dr. R.E. Wodehouse and H.W. Brown. On September 8, 1923, Letters Patent were issued incorporating the Club as the Rockcliffe Lawn Tennis Club.

The current locataion was leased October 28, 1923 from Charles H. Keefer to H.S. Southam at an annual rent of $1.00 with an option to purchase the property for $2,250.00 The option was not acted upon until October 1, 1938 when a sales price of $5000.00 was agreed to. However, after the Club continued to make further payments, the title was transferred by the executors of the estates of Wilson M. Southam and Harry S. Southam for a payment of $4000, on July 25, 1956. Other transfers of land occurred on December 29, 1948 while other residents either sold small pieces of land or waived their rights to land encroaching on their property (such as the practice court area) to allow the Club to expand its property to what it is to day. There were temporary clubhouses beginning in 1923 but the current one was a Lindal Cedar Home, which was erected in 1972.

Over the years, the Club has enjoyed members from all walks of life including some distinguished Canadians such as The Right Honourable Lester B. Pearson, Her Royal Highness Princess Juliana (later Her Majesty the Queen Juliana of the Netherlands,) The Right Honourable John Turner as well as members of the Diplomatic Corps. Our President in 1946/47 was Howard Measures, Canada’s First Chief of Protocol and his son Michael Measures was our President from 1962-1970.

A more detailed History of the Rockcliffe Lawn Tennis Club is available at the Clubhouse.

OUR MEMBERS

Rockcliffe Lawn Tennis Club members have included historically distinguished Canadians such as RH Lester B. Pearson, HRH Princess Juliana (later Her Majesty the Queen Juliana of the Netherlands,) and the RH John Turner.  

 

Our club continues to draw a wide range of fascinating members, many with significant global presence, yet an undeniable connection to our local community club. 

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Over 100 Years of Tennis in Rockcliffe

Established in 1923, the Rockcliffe Lawn Tennis Club has been a cherished pillar of the community for over 100 years. For generations, it has served as a welcoming hub for recreation, connection, and tradition in the heart of Ottawa. This photo captures the unveiling of a memorial plaque commemorating the Club’s centennial celebration. The photo features club president Laurie Maybury, Gord Cudney, a descendent of the Southam family who donated the land the club still stand on, and David Clendenning, Chair of the Historic Committee behind the tribute.

Our International Footprint

The Rockcliffe Lawn Tennis Club (RLTC) in Ottawa, Ontario, holds a proud legacy as a gathering place for global dignitaries, including foreign ambassadors to Canada, many of whom were active members, as seen in the historic photo where players' names are accompanied by their countries of representation. This image, notably the last taken under the club's traditional all-white dress code, captures a unique moment in RLTC’s storied past. Over the years, the club has also welcomed Canadian Prime Ministers, internationally renowned professional athletes, and celebrated public figures, reinforcing its reputation as a prestigious and culturally significant institution in the nation's capital.

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RLTC Centennial Photo
1932 - 2023


Thursday Mixed Doubles Tennis, 3 pm to 5 pm

1st Row: Gavin Murphy, Jean-Pierre Huard, Joelle Khoury, Francis (Chips) Filleul, Charlotte Gray,
Blake Ferris, Gary Dunmore, Shelia Hayes, Barry Frewer, Hugh Winsor, David Clendenning

2 nd Row: Scott Hannant, Geoff White, David Adam, Jean Tanquay, Pam Murray, Zhenya
Kondatrovski (Tennis Coach), Michael Bowen (Club Manager), David Cuthbertson, Frederic Vairel,
Absent: Tina Berretta, Tony Sitkeman, Philip Anido, Robert Collette, Chris Westdal, Robert Fowler,
Liz Kinston, Karl Ruban, David Dyer, Chris Sullivan, Larry Lederman, Ferry de Kerckhove, Michael
Kergin, Richard Addleman, Blair Dickerson, Graham Mitchell, Kathie Swim, Harrison Houston, Bill
Turner, Ellen Bruce

Past Club Presidents

LAURIE MAYBURY 2023-Current

LOUISE MALHOTRA 2020-2022
TONY STIKEMAN 2019
MICHAEL TEETER 2018
IAN WARREN 2017
​BILL TURNER 2015-2016
GILL KIRKWOOD 2014
DAVID ADAM 2011-2013
BEATA GAREL-JONES 2010
CHARLES BÉLANGER 2008-2009
CHRISTOPHER KLOTZ 2006-2007
LAWRENCE D. LEDERMAN 2004-2005
RACHEL BAXTER 2002-2003
HEATHER CHIASSON 2001-2002
ELIZABETH KANE 1997-1999
SEAN DENNEHY 1995-1997
DAVID MCROBIE 1993-1995

DAVID CUTHBERTSON 1991-1993

ALAIN BARBERIE 1991
PAULA SMITH 1988-1990
JANET MCLAINE 1986-1988
DONALD BETHUNE 1985-1986
DAVID GILL 1983-1984
MISSY LANG 1982-1983
BARBARA CAMPBELL 1981-1982
DAVID LOW 1979-1980
GORDON SMITH 1978-1979
BARRY O’BRIEN 1974-1977
WARREN LANGFORD 1971-1973
MICHAEL MEASURES 1962-1970
DONALD L. BETHUNE 1960-1961
S. BLAIR DUNLOP 1958-1959
G.HAMILTON SOUTHAM 1955-1957
H.F. “TEMP” FEAVER 1952-1955

J.SHAKESPEARE 1950-1951

ALAN FERRIER 1948-1949
HOWARD MEASURES 1946-1947
J. MILTON JACKSON 1943-1945
J.T. JANSON 1942
K.D.HARRIS 1941
W.E.DEXTER 1939-1940
A.J. CRERAR 1937-1938
K.D. HARRIS 1936
R.S.HOOPER 1935
R.C.MASSEY BAKER 1933-1934
T.C. PHILIPS 1931-1932
E.FOSBERRY 1930
W.E. DEXTER 1929
J.T. JANSON 1928
HARRY SOUTHAM 1926-1927
D.P. CRUICKSHANK 1922-1923

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

Platinum:

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Gold:

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Silver:

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Bronze:

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