Cliff Drysdale Management

What Cliff Drysdale Management does

Cliff Drysdale Management, operating as Cliff Drysdale Tennis (CDT), is a B2B racquet sports management company founded in 2001 by International Tennis Hall of Fame member Cliff Drysdale and Don Henderson, and headquartered in New Braunfels, Texas. Acquired by Troon in July 2018 and combined with Peter Burwash International following Troon's December 2021 acquisition of PBI, CDT now describes itself as the world's largest racquet sports management company, delivering daily tennis, pickleball, and padel operations and programming to a portfolio of 70+ resorts, hotels, and private clubs across the U.S., Caribbean, Europe, and the Middle East. Named customers include luxury hospitality flagships such as JW Marriott Desert Springs, The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Four Seasons Resort Nevis, Omni Amelia Island, and Mauna Lani, alongside private clubs and educational facilities such as Rome Tennis Center at Berry College.

CDT's product surface spans (i) facility management contracts covering tennis, pickleball, and padel programming and operations; (ii) sports design and construction consultation; (iii) educational programs, summer camps, clinics, and retreats for juniors and adults (Tennis 101/201, Cardio Tennis, USTA-aligned color-ball junior pathway, pickleball and padel progressions); (iv) corporate outing planning, touring camps, and "Legend Events" featuring tennis celebrities; (v) the Experience CDT direct-to-consumer travel booking platform and Experience Rewards reciprocal benefits program; and (vi) Racquet Works, a proprietary education and professional development platform launched in July 2025. The underlying technology is primarily a managed-services platform rather than a software product, augmented by a Wix-based marketing site, the Experience CDT booking experience, a Universal Tennis (UTR) rating integration, and the new Racquet Works content hub.

The business model is dominated by recurring managed-services revenue from resort and private club contracts, complemented by professional services (design consultation, corporate event planning) and consumer-facing revenue from camps, clinics, travel packages, and merchandise. Distribution is enterprise field sales to hospitality and club owners, supported by a dense partnership ecosystem (Troon, USTA, UTR, RSPA, ITA, HEAD, Penn, ACEing Autism, Mindspring Padel, BOAST, Centerline Athletics, REDVANLY) and brand channels including EXPERIENCE Magazine, blog content, and active social profiles. CDT employs 200+ tennis management professionals annually and has won Boardroom Magazine's Tennis Management Company of the Year in both 2022 and 2023.

Name

Cliff Drysdale Management

Legal name

Cliff Drysdale Management

Website

https://cliffdrysdale.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Cliff Drysdale Management, operating as Cliff Drysdale Tennis, is the world's largest racquet sports management company, delivering daily tennis, pickleball, and padel programming to 70+ resorts, hotels, and private clubs under owner Troon.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Racquet Sports Management Services

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Tennis & Racquet Sports Facilities (MPAKAEAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Tennis & Racquet Sports Clubs (Tennis, Padel, Pickleball, Squash) (MPAKABAF)

Keywords

• Racquet sports management
• Resort tennis operations
• Private club management
• Racquet sports education
• Sports facility consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

New Braunfels

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Facility Management Contracts: CDT provides daily tennis and racquet sports operations and management for resorts, hotels and private clubs, generating recurring revenue through management agreements.
2. Sports Design and Construction Consultation: Consulting services for companies interested in building world-class tennis and racquet sports facilities.
3. Educational Programs, Camps and Clinics: Summer camps, clinics, retreats, and instructional programs for juniors and adults at managed facilities.
4. Corporate Event Planning: Resort and hotel corporate outing planning and leisure operations including tennis events with celebrity appearances.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Cliff Drysdale Management provides daily racquet sports operations and management for resorts, hotels, and private clubs across tennis, pickleball, and padel. The company supplies on-site tennis directors, comprehensive instructional programming, USTA-aligned junior and adult pathway curricula, facility design and construction consulting, corporate event planning with celebrity appearances, and reciprocal travel benefits across more than 70 managed properties worldwide. Its Racquet Works platform delivers professional development content to racquet sports coaches and operators.

Product overview

Cliff Drysdale Tennis, a Troon Company, is the world's largest racquet sports management company offering comprehensive services through multiple integrated products. Core offerings include daily racquets operations and management for resorts, hotels and private clubs (tennis, pickleball, and padel), sports design and construction consultation, and educational programs. Racquet Works serves as the company's digital education platform providing professional development resources. Additional services include corporate outing planning with touring camps and legend events, the EXPERIENCE Magazine publication, and the Experience Rewards Program for reciprocal travel benefits across 70+ managed properties. The company also publishes specialty camp offerings including grass court tennis camps at Sand Valley Resort.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Racquet Sports Management (Tennis, Pickleball, and Padel Operations) Core outsourced management service for resorts, hotels, and private clubs covering daily tennis, pickleball, and padel operations including director of racquets placement, programming, league operations, member programming, and facility performance.
• Sports Design and Construction Consultation Professional consulting for resorts, clubs, developers, and organizations planning to build new or renovated world-class tennis and racquet sports facilities, from concept through strategic facility design.
• Summer Camps, Clinics and Retreats Multi-day and multi-week summer camps, tennis clinics, and retreats for junior and adult players delivered at CDT-managed facilities across the U.S.
• Corporate Outings, Touring Camps and Legend Events Special events service for corporate tennis outings, charity tennis events, touring tennis camps with professional players, and legend events featuring tennis celebrities for client entertainment and grand slam tournament packages.
• Racquet Works Platform Comprehensive education, development, and resources platform for the racquet sports industry spanning programming innovation, multi-sport coaching excellence, facility maintenance best practices, strategic facility design guidance, leadership development, and hospitality management. Available to professionals at CDT, PBI, and Troon managed facilities.
• Adult Tennis Instruction Programs Structured adult tennis instructional pathway programs for adults of all skill levels, including a free entry-level Tennis 101 course and progression through advanced Cardio Tennis, league play, and team practice sessions.
• Junior Tennis Development Programs Color-ball junior pathway (Red, Orange, Green, Yellow) plus academy training, league play, and tournament pathways aligned with USTA and UTR frameworks.
• Pickleball Programs Pickleball instruction for adults including beginner clinics (Pickleball 101, Pickleball 201), open and strategy sessions, plus Pro and 7 format clinics.
• Padel Programs Adult padel instruction for all levels including Padel 101 and 201, Intermediate and Advanced Clinics, plus Open Play and Round Robin sessions.
• Experience Rewards Program Membership-based reciprocal benefits program that grants members at CDT-managed clubs access to resorts and clubs across the United States and internationally.
• Grass Court Tennis Camp Experience at Sand Valley Resort Signature grass court tennis camp at Sand Valley Resort in Wisconsin combining 2 nights of luxury lodge accommodations with 10 hours of tennis instruction, round robin play, and an exhibition.

Quantifiable outcome

• 18 managed resort locations ranked in top 100 Tennis Resorts Online rankings
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• REDVANLYminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 May 2026REDVANLY, a premium performance apparel brand, named as Preferred Partner through Troon Partners Network. The brand will connect directly with Troon's global audience of golfers and racquet sports enthusiasts through integrated marketing campaigns, digital engagement, exclusive opportunities and special event activations. REDVANLY will support on-site retail programs and activations at Troon-managed facilities including CDT and PBI locations nationwide. Brand will receive featured placement on shop.troon.com through Troon's Shopify Collective platform.
• Centerline AthleticsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 March 2026Brand partnership with Centerline Athletics, a performance-oriented racquet sports apparel brand. CDT and PBI associates will serve as brand ambassadors while wearing custom Centerline-branded uniforms. The partnership reflects CDT and PBI's commitment to providing premium, high-quality products to associates and clients.
• BOASTminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 13 March 2026Brand partnership with BOAST, the Original American Tennis Brand founded in 1973. CDT and PBI associates will serve as brand ambassadors while wearing custom BOAST-branded apparel. The partnership reflects CDT and PBI's commitment to providing premium, high-quality products. Collaboration will also provide CDT and PBI audiences exclusive access to BOAST products online and in pro shops at select partner facilities.
• Mindspring PadelcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 March 2026Strategic partnership with Mindspring Padel, a global leader in padel court financing and turnkey solutions. Mindspring will serve as CDT and PBI's exclusive padel development and financing provider. The companies will work together to build padel courts at CDT, PBI and Troon managed facilities over the next four years. Mindspring Padel offers turnkey solutions for facilities interested in building padel courts with programming, events and membership strategies.
• Racquet Sports Professionals Association (RSPA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 March 2026Formal partnership agreement between RSPA (the world's oldest and largest association of racquet sports teaching professionals) and CDT/PBI to collaborate and share content across educational platforms. Partnership includes sharing industry knowledge, expanding professional development opportunities, supporting key initiatives including growth of Padel in the United States, joint educational programs and conferences. RSPA members will gain access to CDT/PBI's network of travel opportunities and exclusive travel benefits. RSPA-developed content will feature within Racquet Works platform.
• TrooncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTroon acquired Cliff Drysdale Tennis in July 2018, making CDT part of the Troon family of brands. Troon is the leader in golf and club-related leisure and hospitality services. The acquisition brought together two influential sports management companies. Troon later acquired Peter Burwash International (December 2021), combining CDT and PBI to create the largest racquet sports management company in the world.
• Peter Burwash International (PBI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPBI, acquired by Troon in December 2021, is a premier tennis management company specializing in tennis instruction, program development, marketing, operations and daily tennis activities for five-star resorts, hotels and tennis clubs worldwide. PBI directs tennis programs for 25 exclusive properties in North America, Hawaii, Caribbean, Asia, the Middle East and Europe. CDT and PBI operate together under Troon as the worldwide leader in racquet sports management.
• Tennis Resorts OnlineminorOthersIndustry ranking organization that publishes annual Top 100 Tennis Resorts rankings. CDT and PBI consistently dominate these rankings with 18 managed resort locations in the top 100 for 2026.
• United States Tennis Association (USTA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCDT is aligned with USTA in providing playing opportunities for juniors. CDT hosts USTA sanctioned tournaments each year based on player age and ranking. Partnership supports grassroots tennis growth initiatives.
• Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCDT partnered with ITA to offer college tennis alumni access to tennis management career opportunities through the ITA Alumni Network. CDT posts job openings and career advancement opportunities for Alumni Network members. Alumni members also receive special offers and access to select CDT locations and events.
• HEAD TennisminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEquipment partner providing tennis racquets and gear. Listed as a partner on the CDT website alongside Penn and other tennis industry brands.
• Penn Racquet SportsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEquipment partner providing tennis balls and racquet sports equipment. Listed as a partner on the CDT website alongside HEAD and other tennis industry brands.
• ACEing AutismminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCDT partners with ACEing Autism to support tennis programs for individuals with autism. Partnership reflects CDT's commitment to growing the game and making tennis accessible to all.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Emerging players

• Discovery Land Company: Ultra-luxury private residential club operator (25+ properties globally) with significant tennis, pickleball, and padel programming. Comparable for the high-end residential resort racquet sports management model, though operates only its own owned communities rather than third-party management.
• The Cliffs at Glassy / Cliffs Communities: Luxury residential golf and racquet sports lifestyle communities in the Carolinas featuring tennis, pickleball, and wellness programming. Comparable for the premium-lifestyle racquet sports programming model, though primarily an owner-operator rather than third-party manager.
• Padel & Co: Padel-focused operator building padel courts and clubs across the US. Comparable as an emerging player in the padel-specific space that intersects with CDT's racquet sports expansion strategy via the Mindspring Padel partnership.

Direct peers

• Sportime Clubs: Operates multiple tennis and fitness clubs across the New York metro area offering tennis programming, instruction, and camps. Comparable as a direct tennis club operator/manager competing for similar residential and programmatic tennis demand, though at a regional scale.
• Peter Burwash International (PBI): Sister company under Troon providing tennis instruction and program management to 25+ luxury resorts globally. Combined with CDT under Troon ownership since December 2021 to form the world's largest racquet sports management company — most direct comparable given shared business model, customer base, and parent.

Others

• Universal Tennis (UTR): Tennis rating and tournament technology platform partnered with CDT (announced at Roland Garros 2018). Comparable as a technology/infrastructure partner in the tennis ecosystem rather than direct competitor — enables player matching and tournament organization across CDT-managed properties.
• Racquet Sports Professionals Association (RSPA): Industry association of racquet sports teaching professionals partnered with CDT (March 2026) for content sharing and professional development. Comparable as an enabling industry body and content partner rather than competitor — content will feature within the Racquet Works platform.

Broad incumbents

• Life Time Fitness (Life Time): Large national fitness and racquet sports operator offering tennis, pickleball, and padel at premium athletic country clubs across the US. Comparable for the multi-racquet sport programming model in upscale residential/family settings, though broader fitness focus.
• Troon: Parent company and largest club management operator globally (1,000+ golf and country club facilities). Comparable as the broader platform in which CDT operates; offers overlapping hospitality management capabilities across golf courses, country clubs, and resorts.
• Invited (formerly ClubCorp): Largest owner-operator of private clubs in the US (200+ country clubs). Comparable as a major private club management company with overlapping customer base (private/residential clubs) but broader portfolio that includes golf, dining, and event services beyond racquet sports.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cdrysdaletennis
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/DrysdaleTennisTips?feature=mhee
• Facebookfacebook.com/cliffdrysdaletennis/?ref=tn_tnmn
• Instagraminstagram.com/cliffdrysdale_tennis

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cliff Drysdale Management