The Live Oaks Tennis Association in South Pasadena, perhaps the oldest private tennis club in Southern California, founded in 1912 is celebrating its 100th birthday.
The tennis club, originally comprised of three clay courts on Oak Street was later moved to its current Oak Meadow Lane location in 1926 where four cement courts and a club house were then constructed.
Commemorating their 100th Year celebration, South Pasadena mayor Michael Cacciotti, United States Congressman Adam Schiff, California State Senator Carol Liu and State Assemblyman Anthony Portantino along with Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich have each presented the Live Oaks Tennis Association with Certificates of Recognition and Appreciation for their long standing and service to the South Pasadena community.
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Originally established by twenty prominent citizens of the area that made up the initial membership: Clarence Barker, grandson of O.T.Barker, founder of the Barker Brothers Furniture Stores, Judge Frederick W. Houser, Judge Walton N. Wood, Herbert W. Packard and Walter Krug among others.
Upton Sinclair, the famed novelist and political writer, could often be found playing on the Live Oaks courts.
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Shortly before World War I, Maurice McLaughlin and Thomas Bundy, prominent players of their time and both members of the 1914 United States Davis Cup Team, played an exhibition doubles match against Clarence Barker and Simpson M. Sinsabaugh on the Live Oaks courts.
In the 1920's, Live Oaks Tennis took on the Monrovia Tennis Club and Dos Robles of Alhambra in three cornered round robin inter clubs matches. Other contests were played with the Valley Hunt Club of Pasadena and the Los Angeles Tennis Club.
Throughout the years, many notable tennis greats have played on the Live Oaks courts including Bobby Riggs, Billie Jean Moffitt (King) and La Jolla Tennis Superstar Dodo Chaney.
Today, Live Oaks has one hundred and ten active members who all enjoy the camaraderie and good tennis of one of the oldest private clubs in Southern California.