Greenville, S. C.
Inducted 2025
Robb Thompson’s tennis career spans over five decades as an outstanding junior and college player, a championship adult player, a respected teaching professional, a leading Director of Tennis at one of the top clubs in the state and the south, and a successful tournament director. He has been a leader in South Carolina tennis and a mentor to 100’s of young people and adults. During his competitive playing career, Robb won 36 state championships, including Southern singles championships in the 21’s age division, and Southern singles and doubles championships in the 25’s age division.
Robb was one of the state’s top junior players from 1974 to 1982, and played number 1 singles and doubles for Socastee High School, where he has been inducted into their Athletic Hall of Fame. He won numerous singles and doubles titles, was highly ranked in the state and Southern Section, and won the 18-and-under singles championship at the 1982 Palmetto Championships in Belton.
During the 1980’s, full college tennis scholarships were not abundant. He was recruited and offered partial scholarships by both Clemson and North Carolina State. Robb wanted to avoid going in debt, and when Limestone College offered a full scholarship, he signed with the blue and gold. He was the first and only South Carolina top-ranked junior to play at Limestone. He played number 1 singles and doubles three of his four years at Limestone, anchoring two nationally ranked teams during his career. He served in a dual capacity as both a player and coach his junior and senior years. Robb was inducted into the Limestone Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019.
He became a teaching pro at Greenville Country Club in the mid-1990’s where he has inspired players of all ages. During his 30 years at the club, he has led robust junior and adult programs, with many of his students becoming highly ranked junior and college players. Among the most notable is Rob Galloway, who had an outstanding four-year career at Wofford College, followed by a successful professional doubles career. Galloway is currently top 40 in the world in doubles and plays in all four grand slams each year. Robb coached him during his first two U. S. Open appearances.
Robb became the Director of Tennis at Greenville Country Club in 2017 following Hall of Famer David Holly’s retirement. Each year the club hosts top junior, adult and league tournaments. He has been the Tournament Director for many of these events, always known for his professionalism, organization and sportsmanship. Robb has been named the USTA-SC Pro of the Year twice.
His tennis leadership and service reaches beyond Greenville,
as he has made an unwavering commitment to the growth of the game throughout South Carolina. He served four years on the USTA-SC Board of Directors, and was recently elected to serve another two-year term in 2026-2027. He was the chairman of the state junior competition committee eight years, served on the South Carolina Tennis Hall of Fame Selection Committee and was President of the South Carolina Tennis Professionals Association.
Off the court, Robb has modeled character and values that reflect the highest ideals of the sport. Throughout his career, he has taken countless young players under his wing, driving them to tournaments, mentoring them through life’s challenges, and setting an enduring example of responsibility and kindness.
