Gardiner's Tennis Closed - Central Coast News KION/KCBA

Carmel Valley, CA

After 51 years in business, Gardiner's Tennis Resort in Carmel Valley is closing its doors.  Founded by the late John Gardiner in 1957, the original John Gardiner's Tennis Ranch became a get-a-way for tennis enthusiasts the world over.  High-profile business leaders, Hollywood celebrities, politicians and touring tennis pros graced the courts and  the beautiful environs of Gardiner's.

In 2000, shortly before his death, John Gardiner sold the property to  Pristine Development, LLC in Houston, Texas.  The new ownership kept Gardiner's Resort afloat despite a reduced interest in tennis and membership.  On Sunday, Pristine Development, LLC announced that the resort would be closed.  Robert Davey told KION-TV on Monday that because of the "unbelievably bad economic situation, it really had no alternative in the short run than to shut it down."  However, Davey adds that Pristine Development, LLC hopes to re-organize in the future and said " just as soon as the economics look like they're favorable we'd love to do it or have a partner to join us  and bring it back to where it was in it's hey day."

Meanwhile, John Gardiner's widow, Monique Gardiner has been forced to lay off more than 20 staff members, many of whom will take with them only memories of the good old days.  She said, "I hope that whatever the future is here...that it's just as rich as the history."