September 8, 2010

Tennis Anyone?

With The US Open tennis championships in full swing, my thoughts, naturally, are turned to tennis.  I have always loved this Grand Slam tennis tournament, held annually for two weeks before and after Labor Day weekend, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York.  Before moving to this current venue, the US Open was held at the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills, New York.  Like Wimbledon, the US Open was originally played on grass until Forest Hills switched to clay courts.  In 1978, the event moved to its current location and the surface changed again to hardcourt.

I am the proud owner of three tennis courts.  Skylands, my home in Maine, boasts two beautiful side-by-side courts, built by the previous owners.  Because of damp and harsh weather conditions, a hardcourt surface was installed, which is easier to maintain and makes for a fast tennis game.  At my farm in Bedford, I opted for a Har-Tru court, which is made from crushed stone.  Har-Tru is a softer surface that many players prefer.  Here is a little tour of my tennis courts and I hope you enjoy the rest of the US Open!

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