Induction Year: 2004

Courtney DeForest Henderson began playing in Dallas tennis tournaments at the age of 12 and continued to play throughout his life.

Henderson played college tennis at Stanford University for two years and then played on the All-Army tennis team. As a result of winning the Inter-Service competition, all members of the team were entered in the draw at the U.S. Nationals at Forest Hills. After completing his tour of duty with the armed services, Henderson worked for the Crown Zellerbach Paper Corporation while raising his family of three children with wife and accomplished tennis player, Carolyn.

Henderson came to the realization that his position in the corporate world was not fulfilling. He left his position at Crown Zellerbach to become the head tennis professional at Canyon Creek Country Club in Richardson in 1970.

After expanding the program there, he took Jack Turpin’s invitation to be head tennis professional at T Bar M Racquet Club in 1974. After retiring from T Bar M, Henderson played national senior tennis. He was ranked No. 2 in the nation in Men’s 70s Singles in 2005 and No. 4 nationally with fellow inductee, Lee Hamilton, in Men’s 75s Doubles in 2010. Courtney and Carolyn Henderson won six national 140 husband/wife tournaments in a row in 2009 and 2010. Henderson retired from tournament play in 2012. Since that time, he worked tirelessly with the Texas Tennis Museum and Hall of Fame board of directors.