Tennis Memories

The Rocky Mountain Tennis Center

The Rocky Mountain Tennis Center, formerly Harvest House Sporting Association and Harvest House Tennis, has been the home of two of the largest tournaments in the state for the past 40 years. The Harvest House Junior Open started in 1981 and became the Mountain Ocean Junior Open in 1992. The name comes from our title sponsors, Tom and Karen Benjamin and their skin care product line, Mountain Ocean. This tournament was designated as one of the four major junior tournaments in the state with an average of 250 participants each year.

The Boulder City Open started around the same time and became the Boulder Open shortly thereafter. There were various title sponsors through the years with Babolat becoming the title sponsor in 2005. Babolat’s U.S home is in Louisville in the Colorado Tech Center. This tournament was a major designated event in the state and also became the Adult Intermountain Sectional (6 states) tournament for many years. The tournament offered over 60 different divisions including wheelchair, NTRP, Age, Family and Open level events with prize money. Close to 500 participants entered each year.

Over the past 5 years the RMTC has played host to numerous local, state, sectional and national tournaments. This was possible with the leadership of Co-Owners Kendall (Tournament Director) and Donna Chitambar and the availability of 27 courts at RMTC and CU South Tennis Complex.

The RMTC has been honored to play such a significant role in tournament tennis in the state over the years and grateful to have the best players in the state and section compete in our events.

This program is by invitation from the coach only.

Donna Chitambar

  • RMTC Founder, Director of Operations, Director of Marketing, RMTC Stylist!
  • High Performance Tennis Program (HPTP) Coordinator
  • 5430 Kids Tennis Foundation Founder
  • Her enthusiasm, dedication, and expertise are driving forces in the success of the Rocky Mountain Tennis Center
  • Passionate Adult 4.5 player captaining USTA League teams since 2010!
  • Management of high-end tennis clubs since 1999
  • Spa Management 1999-2006 – “Customer Service and hospitality are a must for any Club”
  • Bachelor of Science – Fashion Design, The Ohio State University
  • Kindergarten Teacher – 2 years
  • PTR certified Juniors and Adults
  • USTA Net Generation certified /verified Coach
  • Over 10 years coaching experience focusing on all levels of juniors

         “I love kids, and I love teaching them the game of tennis – Make it Fun and they love it too!”

Duke Paluch

  • RMTC Founder, Executive Director
  • Club Manager of former Harvest House Tennis since 1985
  • 5430 Kids Tennis Foundation Founder
  • Two-time collegiate All American, Gustavus Adolphus College
  • Gustavus Adolphus College Athletic Hall of Fame, 2012
  • Top-ranked junior Northern Section, nationally ranked
  • State of South Dakota – Tennis Hall of Fame inductee
  • Bachelor of Arts – Finance, Gustavus Adolphus College
  • USPTA Certified (Elite Professional)
  • PTR Master of Tennis-Performance; PTR Adult Certified
  • USTA/USPTA Wheelchair Tennis Certified Coach
  • USTA Colorado Tournament Committee Member – 20 years!
  • USTA Net Generation certified /verified Coach
  • Over 30 years coaching experience working with all levels juniors & adults

    “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee!” – Muhammad Ali