Admission

Admissions Criteria and Process for 2025

Download: Admissions Packet 2025  Dance Card 2025
Online: Sponsor Form   Membership Application    

The Lakewood Board of Directors has established the following criteria for applicants wishing to be admitted as new members:

• Applicants, like all members, must observe court courtesy and sportsmanship, and abide by Lakewood’s rules and regulations at all times. For example, from the bylaws, “The object of the Club shall be to promote the sport of tennis, and to maintain suitable grounds for congenial persons to engage therein. To this end, a system of rotational and of arranged play shall be maintained. Rotation play historically has been the signature of Lakewood, and it is expected that a significant amount of time will be reserved for rotation. 'Congenial persons' means that courteous and respectful action and language among Members is required at all times.”
• Members, other than junior members (children of members), must be 18 years of age or over by April 1 of the current season.
• Immediate neighbors of the Lakewood courts, former members, spouses and adult children of members who meet the other criteria have priority. After that, Newton residents have priority over non-residents.
• Each applicant must show a minimum tennis skill level, as described below.

Rotation play is the unique feature of Lakewood Tennis Club and occupies a substantial amount of the prime playing hours. The communal nature of rotation places special demands on our admission process:

• Each applicant must be able to support their end of the game.
• Each applicant must be a person with whom other members will enjoy sharing a court.

The Board seeks to enhance the quality of rotation play for all members.  We encourage recruitment and admission of both Intermediate and Advanced players. For the satisfaction of players with advanced skills, Lakewood schedules several Advanced Rotations every week.

Sponsors are personally vouching for an applicant and their level of play. To that end, the sponsor needs to have played tennis at least 10 times with the applicant.  All individuals nominated for membership will attend an orientation/evaluation session with members of the Board and other Club members.  This will include 1 to 2 hours of play and evaluation. Applicants will be judged to be either eligible or not eligible for membership.

A suitable candidate for membership in Lakewood is one who would contribute to an enjoyable game of doubles, both by their tennis skills and their pleasant and respectful demeanor on the court. Each applicant must play at or above the minimum skill level for regular rotation and/or advanced rotation. Minimal skills include:

• Dependable strokes on both sides under moderate pressure.
• The strength, ability and willingness to move on the court and chase down shots.
• The ability to volley at the service line and at the net.
• The ability to serve with some strength and reliability.

Admission Process

1. All applicants must be sponsored by a member in good standing. Sponsors are responsible for completing and submitting an online sponsor form for a potential new member. Sponsors are personally vouching for an applicant’s character and tennis skills.  Each year the Board determines whether and how many new members can be admitted.  If the Board opts to admit new members, an application package for the current year may be obtained on this website. An announcement will be sent to members with the exact date when the application is due each year.
2. The sponsored applicant submits the online Membership Application, as well as a $250 fee per person applicable to the initiation fee of $500. If the application is accepted by the Board, the applicant will be invited to an orientation/evaluation session.
3. Prospective members must attend one of the orientation/evaluation sessions scheduled at the beginning of the season, where the rules, especially those governing Rotation, Advanced Rotation, and Arranged Play are explained. Prospective members’ level of play will be judged by club members at this session. Equally important, the candidate gets to experience our rotation paradigm and can judge whether Lakewood fulfills their expectations.  Applicants who cannot attend 1 of the 2 orientation/evaluation sessions will not be considered for admission.  
4. After the orientation/evaluation session, a Dance Card may be issued to each applicant meeting the minimum skills requirement, depending on how many openings are available. The Dance Card is completed by coming to rotation at least 3 times, including at least once on a weekend (Saturday or Sunday) and once during the week. The Dance Card must be completed and returned by the due date in the Application Package, along with payment of the annual dues (currently $330) and the $250 balance of the initiation fee (total $550). Dance Cards returned after the due date will not be considered. Up to this point, any candidate who is rejected or decides not to join will have their payment(s) returned.
5. Upon the Board’s acceptance of the Dance Card, the applicant becomes a provisional member of Lakewood, with all rights except voting. All provisional memberships are reviewed before the Annual meeting in November. If approved by the Board, each provisional member becomes a full member and may vote at the Annual Meeting. A provisional member not approved by the Board ceases to be a member of Lakewood Tennis Club.