Player, Captain and RTA Chair: Garry Hurlbut

Tennis is often not about when you start but your commitment once you do. 

Growing up in Connecticut, there were no tennis courts in Garry Hurlbut’s small town. It was only when he joined the Air Force and became a captain that he found tennis on the various bases he was stationed. 

He could finally play full time when he moved to California in 1997. After moving, he joined his brother playing USTA Leagues on the Laney College teams run by longtime USTA NorCal volunteers Henry and Connie Chang. 

“While playing on the Laney College team, our 3.0 team won the league in early 2001 and got to go to the District competition down in Monterey,” Hurlbut said. “The team camaraderie and friendly competition alongside my brother were great. Since then, many of the Richmond teams that I had a chance to captain and play on have gone on to District and Sectional play.”

Hurlbut’s retirement in 2012 saw he and his wife, Maryn, move to Richmond where he formed the non-profit Richmond Tennis Association. Hurlbut serves as the president of the RTA, which promotes tennis and healthy lifestyles in Richmond as well as hosting Leagues teams. 

In recognition of their work to upkeep the Richmond Municipal Natatorium and it’s two tennis courts, the courts and surrounding land were renamed the Hurlbut Tennis and Garden Park.