LEE's American Red Clay
Over
the years there has developed both a mystic and sex appeal associated with
European red clay courts. The French Open still draws on the traditions of the
past and creates that special aura that technology simply cannot duplicate. The
U.S. began experimenting with red clay courts to seize the romanticism that
accompanies them, but several problems ensued. Notably, the maintenance of the
courts became a specialized skill, as the courts reacted differently to each
individualized region across the U.S. It was also difficult to duplicate the
local product when new material was needed, further complicating the process.
The American green Fast-Dry replaced the majority of the local red clay courts in the U.S. over the years because of the inconsistency of the red clay. Green Fast-Dry became a standardized product that could be consistently replaced and cared for over a period of years. The fact that it was made of stone also increased its stability and made maintenance much easier and more consistent. The only thing the green could not replace was the traditional look and feel of the red clay.
Several years ago, we at LEE Tennis Products were asked to work on a red material in response to the demand for a U.S. product with the traditional look and feel of the European red clay. We wanted the look of the French Open without all of the maintenance. As a result, we developed a product that is a combination, or mixture, of the red brick dust used in Europe, and a local red stone. We blend these two raw materials together and use the modern manufacturing techniques and basic specifications used when making our green Fast-Dry. This product has some of the look and feel of European clay, but has the added stability of stone. The American red clay significantly reduces the maintenance and drying time when compared to its European counterpart. LEE's American Red Clay is a practical and cost effective compromise for those owners looking for that traditional European look but without the maintenance problems associated with the European clay.
