Wilbur Folsom (1908-1968)

The name Folsom and the word Tennis are synonymous in the San Diego Community. Wilbur Folsom taught scores and scores of children and shared a love for tennis and a way of life which taught his students values that are remembered by those students to this day. During the final years of his teaching career he began to focus on the "small fry," and encouraged many people to play the game. He charged $1 per hour and was known for his generosity in handing out new balls, shoes, and rackets to juniors whose parents could not afford the expense. It is interesting to note that out of this grassroots program came the likes of Maureen Connolly, Karen Hantze Susman, Kathy Chabot Willette, Ben Press, Steve Avoyer, and many others. During the Depression and after, nobody had any money and Wilbur let people charge and run a tab. Accounts were paid as best they could and "payments" were made sometimes by picking up balls for Wilbur. Folsom’s Tennis Shop became a meeting place for juniors and adults alike; a place where one could have some "tennis magic" rub off on them!