The Bel Air Athletic Club will expand into the tennis market next month when it assumes responsibility for the operation and management of the Harford Tennis Club.
With the addition of the 4-acre tennis complex, athletic club owners Elaine and Roger Ralph hope to turn their facility into one of the largest, most diverse and most successful health and fitness clubs in the United States.
"We are delighted to expand into the tennis market," said Mr. Ralph at a news conference at the tennis club Wednesday. "It is our goal to substantially increase the number of persons of all ages playing and enjoying tennis in Harford County."
The new name of the club, BAAC II Tennis, was chosen to recognize the Bel Air Athletic Club's second facility in Harford County and to underline a commitment to increase tennis play, lessons and tournaments in the county over the next few years, Mr. Ralph said.
He said he plans to target youths and the 40-plus market for potential members.
"We want to bring the county 'Back [BAAC] To [II] Tennis,' " he said.
The Ralphs are taking over the tennis club Jan. 1 under a lease- purchase agreement with owner Mary McGuirk, whose father, William McGuirk, founded the indoor facility 24 years ago.
Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Ms. McGuirk said she is relinquishing operation of the tennis club to be able to devote more time to her four young children.
"I've spent 11 happy years here, but four children later, I'm happy to turn the club over to Elaine and Roger," said Ms. McGuirk, who has agreed to stay on through the transition period.
"I just haven't been able to put in the time it deserves," she said.
The Harford Tennis Club, off Route 924 and Laurel Bush Road near the Festival at Bel Air, has been in operation since 1970.
The complex includes five indoor tennis courts, a fitness area and six outdoor Hartru courts.
Mr. and Mrs. Ralph have owned and operated the Bel Air Athletic Club since 1980. That facility, behind Harford Mall, has grown from 25,000 square feet to 90,000 square feet and the staff has increased from 15 to nearly 180 employees.
The club includes aerobics, a fitness area, racquetball courts, a gymnasium, a dance center, four swimming pools and a children's sports area. The club also leases space to a cardiologist and a sports medicine center.
Mr. Ralph said operation of the tennis club and membership dues will remain the same throughout 1995, but he hopes to be able to offer athletic club members price benefits at BAAC II Tennis and, likewise, a rate reduction to the athletic club for tennis club members.
Linda Zegal, the tennis club's manager, will continue to guide its daily operations, and tennis pro Richard McClure, who also coaches the Loyola College tennis team, will continue to give lessons there.
"We plan to offer free tennis lessons to our members and the community," said Mr. Ralph. "And Rich, who has taught at the club for the past eight years, will help me bring in other strong tennis teachers so that we can expand the number of tennis lessons and programs offered at the club.
"Our goal is to provide a wide variety of instructional opportunities so that Harford County individuals and families can enjoy tennis for a lifetime and improve their skills steadily."