Tournament

Priory Club

The Priory Whitsun Lawn Tennis Tournament also known as the Priory Open Lawn Tennis Tournament, or the Priory Club Tournament was a men's and women's grass court tennis event established in 1920 that ran until 1960. In May 1963 the Priory Club was destroyed by a fire, and in 1964 it merged with the Edgbaston Cricket and Lawn Tennis Club to form the Edgbaston Priory Club.

History
Edgbaston Cricket and Lawn Tennis Club founded in 1878 and continued to stage both the Edgbaston Open Tournament until 1908 and the Midland Counties Championships until November 1964. Priory Lawn Tennis Club founded in 1865. In 1920 the Priory Club established its most popular event known as the Priory Whitsun Tournament sometimes referred to as the Priory Club Tournament usually held in June. This event ran until 1960. In May 1963 the Priory Club was destroyed by a fire, talks about merger took place of the coming months with the Edgbaston C.L.T.C. In December 1964 the new club was formed the Edgbaston Priory Club, which continued to host the Midland Counties event until 1977.

Edgbaston Cricket and Lawn Tennis Club was in the early decades of the two clubs the more socially prestigious and nationally high-profile, and better resourced. The focus of the Priory Club was more local but its growth was similarly impressive. The Priory Club’s tournaments and prizes were more restrained than Edgbaston’s. Priory Club tournament's was played on six courts rather than Edgbaston’s twelve.

— The History of Edgbaston Priory Club (2013) by Dr. Matt Cole: Historian Edgbaston Priory Club. Page 2.[8]

The origins of Edgbaston Priory Club date back around 130 years. The Club as we know it today was formed in December 1964 as a result of a merger between two very long established clubs; Edgbaston Lawn Tennis Club, founded in 1878 and Priory Lawn Tennis Club, founded in 1875. This merger came about when, in May 1963, a disastrous fire completely destroyed Priory's Clubhouse - hence the Club's logo which is a Phoenix rising from the ashes.
Facilities
Edgbaston Priory Club is a very different place today than it was in the 1880's when it moved to its current location. Set in 12 acres of beautiful grounds the private members club now boasts 29 tennis courts, 10 squash courts, heated indoor and outdoor swimming pools, outside spa, Technogym equipped fitness facilities and a licensed bar and restaurant.