The latest news from ASBA members.

Armor® Crack Repair System Launches Facebook Page

Armor® Crack Repair System announced the launch of their social media page on Facebook. The Armor® Facebook Page is intended to serve as an on-line landing spot for both consumers and installers. Once enough installers become fans, the company will create a closed group for Armor® contractors to share questions, pictures and videos. As an incentive for becoming a fan of the page, Armor® is offering 50% off shipping of the installer's first order in 2011.

The Armor® Crack Repair System was developed to repair cracks on asphalt tennis and basketball courts. The repair utilizes a knitted fabric that expands as the crack widens. The secret to making this repair work is how it is purposely NOT bonded to the court in the vicinity of the crack, thereby allowing more of the fabric to absorb any movement or growth of the crack without the fabric tearing or delaminating from the surface. The reason why the Armor® Crack Repair System works so well is that it effectively spreads the stress of the crack over a wide area of expandable fabric—other brand name repair “systems” do not do this.

Established in 1993, Armor® Crack Repair System helps set itself apart from other repairs by providing a quality product that has proven successful longer than other repairs of its type. Installers of Armor® not only receive individualized on-demand 24/7 technical and marketing support, but are also privy to crack-repair business leads as well. Consumers of the product often find the staff to be an invaluable resource for answers to all of their questions surrounding repairing and resurfacing their tennis courts.

To view their latest product video and get information on the product, please visit
http://www.armorcrackrepair.com

For additional information contact Ellen Brattlof of A.S.T., LLC by phone at 732-751-1212 or Email: ellen@armorcrackrepair.com

Follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/armorcrackrepair.

Revolutionary base system for synthetic turf field is a big hit with MLB

UltraBaseSystems^TM selected by AstroTurf and the Tampa Bay Rays as the base system for new field at spring training facility.

Innovative Base Technologies, the manufacturers of the patented UltraBaseSystems base structure for synthetic turf installations has recently completed the new synthetic turf half field at the Tampa Bay Rays spring training facility in Port Charlotte Florida.

Selected as the official synthetic turf of MLB, AstroTurf of Dalton Georgia called on UltraBaseSystems to enhance their new state of the art turf. Speed of installation, dramatically reduced ground prep and unprecedented solid feel underfoot made UltraBase the logical choice for this high profile installation. With a starting date only a few days before spring training, the UBS team showed up with a plan and panels in hand making easy work of this installation. Total time for sod removal, earth preparation and panel and turf installation was a little over 2 days for this 6,700 sq. ft. infield. If speed was the only gauge of a great project, this one would receive an A+, but the rave reviews of the coaches, players and grounds crew secured this installation as the beginning of a new era in synthetic turf installation. In the words of Rays coach Joe Madden who hit grounders to the infielders, was also pleased with the surface. "I like it," he said. "The infield turf played at a good speed, a real good speed."

After years in development Innovative Base Technologies, LLC is proud to launch UltraBaseSystems. Already called an industry game changer by many experts, the new interlocking panel structure dramatically reduces the need for extensive ground preparation and labor while creating a solid structure underfoot capable of delivering superior vertical and horizontal drainage while maintaining athlete performance and improving safety. Unlike other underlayment systems on the market, UltraBaseSystems is a solid, interlocking base structure which will not move and allows for the installation of synthetic turf in virtually any location or climate. Rooftops to natural grass retrofits, athletic fields to courts, putting greens and playgrounds, there are no longer any limits due to lack of accessibility or zoning restrictions.

About UltraBaseSystems
The launch of Tour Links Putting Greens 10 years earlier by Creative Sport Concepts and IBT owner Dave Barlow helped to pave the way for this new panel technology. “Recognized as the most advanced putting green system in over 30 countries worldwide, Tour Links pioneered panel base technology and UltrabaseSystems is the next generation of this revolutionary concept” stated Barlow.

UBS is located in St. Petersburg Florida. UltraBaseSystems is a trademark of Innovative Base Technologies. The patented UltraBaseSystems and Tour Links Putting Green System are proudly made in the USA of 100% recycled material. For more information about UltraBaseSystems and the Tampa Bay Rays project visit www.ultrabasesystems.com email: sales@ultrabasesystems.com and visit www.tourlinks.net.

DecoTurf High School Tennis Championships

USTA Kentucky welcomes 49 of the nation's top high school tennis teams to Louisville, Kentucky on March 25-26 and April 8-9. The 2011 DecoTurf High School Tennis Team Championships will feature 18 defending team state champions from 14 different states including Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia.

PARTICIPATING TEAMS

BOYS A DIVISION
Barron Collier High School (Naples, FL)
Baylor School (Chattanooga, TN)
Beacon School (New York, NY)
Deerfield High School (Deerfield, IL)
Highland Park High School (Highland Park, IL)
Hinsdale Central High School (Hinsdale, IL)
McDonogh School (Owings Mills, MD)
Memphis University School (Memphis , TN)
Montgomery Bell Academy (Nashville , TN)
Mount Saint Joseph's High School (Baltimore, MD)
New Hanover High School (Wilmington, NC)
New Trier High School (Winnetka, IL)
Rock Bridge High School (Columbia, MO)
Saint Xavier High School (Louisville, KY)
UMS-Wright Preparatory School (Mobile, AL)
Webb School of Knoxville (Knoxville, TN)

BOYS B DIVISION
Alton High School (Alton, IL)
Brophy College Prep (Phoenix, AZ)
Cardinal Gibbons High School (Raleigh, NC)
Charleston Catholic High School (Charleston, WV)
DuPont Manual High School (Louisville, KY)
Latin School of Chicago (Chicago, IL)
Lone Oak High School (Paducah, KY)
Trinity High School (Louisville, KY)
University School of Nashville (Nashville, TN)
Vandebilt Catholic High School (Houma, LA)
Vestavia Hills High School (Vestavia Hills, AL)
West Jessamine High School (Nicholasville, KY)

GIRLS’ A DIVISION
Baylor School (Chattanooga, TN)
Columbus North High School (Columbus, IN)
Cookeville High School (Cookeville, TN)
Elizabethtown High School (Elizabethtown, KY)
Evansville Memorial High School (Evansville, IN)
Floyd Central High School (Floyd Knobs, IN)
Girls Preparatory School (Chattanooga, TN)
Harpeth Hall School (Nashville, TN)
Highlands High School (Fort Thomas, KY)
Hutchison School (Memphis, TN)
Lone Oak High School (Paducah, KY)
Notre Dame Academy (Park Hills, KY)
Peachtree Ridge High School (Peachtree Ridge, GA)
Ravenwood High School (Brentwood, TN)
Saint Joseph’s High School (South Bend, IN)
Webb School of Knoxville (Knoxville, TN)

GIRLS’ B DIVISION
Charleston Catholic High School (Charleston, WV)
Daviess County High School (Owensboro, KY)
Saint Andrew’s-Sewanee School (Sewanee, TN)
Siegel High School (Murfreesboro, TN)
Vandebilt Catholic High School (Houma, LA)


Hinding Product Installed on New York Rooftop

Hinding Tennis installed their Cushion Extreme over a wood floor rooftop in Brooklyn NY. Owner Tom Hinding said, "There was only one way up to the roof and we had to hand-carry all the materials up." The project took 10 days to complete. Tennis Pro Michael Phillips said, "These courts are truly one of a kind. Hinding's crew did a first-rate job. Our membership loves the play and feel." To learn more about rooftop jobs, or working in areas where access is very limited, contact Hinding Tennis at 203-285-3055.

LSI System Installed in Portland

The LSI HiDef linear fluorescent lighting system was recently installed at a private indoor tennis court in Portland, OR. The lighting system was provided by ASBA member Atlas Track & Tennis of Tualatin, OR. The HiDef system’s unique direct / indirect light distribution provides superior ball visibility in combination with significant energy savings, long lamp life, and instant-on capability.

NGI Sports and LEED® Certification Tennis Court Surfacing

Based in Chattanooga, TN, NGI Sports is a pioneer in green technology supplying the tennis court market with eco-friendly surfaces for park, school, municipal, club commercial and residential use.

Demand has grown rapidly for building materials which fulfill the requirements of the non-profit U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). The benchmark certification program for green building projects and buildings that carry the LEED seal of approval are a statement of environmentally conscious practices. In addition, studies show that energy-efficient LEED buildings cost less to operate, have higher occupancy rates, enhance occupant health and well being and increase investment returns compared to their non-LEED counterparts.

Architects and designers can utilize tennis court surfaces from NGI Sports on projects as the Nova’ProTennis surfaces are backed with a soy based polyurethane backing. In many cases the materials also utilize recycled components. The tennis systems may be utilized on municipal, commercial, school and residential projects in obtaining up to 18 points toward LEED certification. Falling under categories of Water Efficient Landscaping, Recycled Content and Innovation in Design, tennis court surfaces supplied by NGI Sports incorporate several green features. Both the surface content and its utilization for water conservation may qualify an installation for LEED points on new and existing construction projects.

Recent rulings from the United States Department of Agriculture qualify high-performance NGI Sports tennis court surfaces utilizing soy based polyurethane for Federal purchasing preference as a designated biobased item under the USDA’s BioPreferred program.

An important item to note when considering building an indoor tennis facility as according to the USGBC, LEED certified buildings represent just 1% of the total U.S. commercial building stock. The current demand for green buildings is outstripping the available supply. As environmentally responsible buildings become more and more important, not only to the environment but to the long-term value of commercial property, LEED certification will become more widespread and the complex vocabulary of codes and credits associated with LEED will work its way into the general contracting lexicon.

For further information about NGI Sports tennis products please visit www.ngisports.com and for additional LEED info visit www.usgbc.org/LEED. 

Plexipave® the Surface Choice for Memphis, Delray Beach and Indian Wells Tournaments

Plexipave was selected as the surface for the ATP and WTA World Tour events that took place in Memphis, Tennessee, Delray Beach, Florida and Indian Wells, California.

Both the ATP and WTA Memphis tournaments began February 11th. The Regions Morgan Keegan Championship was played at the Racquet Club of Memphis, the only private club in the world to host a professional men’s and women’s combined indoor event. Memphis is one of only eleven cities in the world to hold a 500 level men's tennis event. “This year’s court was the best we’ve had,” stated Peter Lebedevs, Tournament Director for Regions Morgan Keegan Championships and The Cellular South Cup. “Players keep coming back because they love the Plexipave surface. The speed of play allows top players and base liners to have the chance of winning. We have a wonderful partnership with Plexipave.”

Memphis Tournament players included Andy Roddick, Fernando Verdasco, and Gael Monfils. Andy Roddick took the win with a shot heard round the world. The WTA’s Cellular South Cup featured Melanie Oudin, Sofia Arvidsson, and Vania King. Both the men's and women's tournaments had 32 players total including wild card and qualifiers.

The Delray Beach International Tennis Championships, part of the ATP 250 events, began February 18th and is one of the few privately owned tournaments in the world. “Plexipave has been a reliable surfacing system. We’ve used Plexipave tennis systems since 1999 to make sure players have a smooth transition into the proceeding Indian Wells tournament,” says John Butler, Executive Director of the Delray Beach International Tennis Championship. “We’ve found that an efficient applicator is the most important element that determines a consistent, top-notch surface.” Juan Martin Del Potro won the first place title, along with doubles winners Scott Lipsky and Rajeev Ram.

Both Memphis and Delray Beach tournaments lead up to the first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 events, the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, another surface provided by Plexipave. The BNP Paribas Open features the best men and women players competing in the second largest tennis stadium in the world. The tournament is the largest event to combine both men and women on the ATP and Sony Ericsson WTA Tours.

The official ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event and largest attended tournament outside of the Grand Slams, began March 7 and runs until March 20 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Players include Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Andy Roddick. WTA participants will include top ranked players Caroline Wozniacki, Vera Zvonareva, and Kim Clijsters.

Indian Wells is using the Plexipave surface for the thirteenth consecutive year. The Plexipave System was specifically manufactured to meet the rigorous demands of this tournament notably challenged the warm, dry, desert climate. The unique ATP Masters signature Pro-Purple court color scheme improves visibility for players, fans and television viewers.

“Plexipave and “The Indian Wells Tennis Garden” are a natural partnership, providing the most recognized court surface with our state-of-the-art facility. The special colors and speed of play showcase the ultimate in tennis entertainment to the fans and consistent playability for the men’s and women’s competition. We have worked seamlessly with Plexipave to create the very best in tennis court performance.” Say’s Steve Simon, BNP Paribas Open Tournament Director.

The 2011 tennis season began with the Plexicushion® Prestige surface at the Australian Open series. Plexipave’s surface allows speed of play that makes it possible for all levels of tennis players to excel. The surfaces’ consistent and true bounce enhances competition. Local and global authorized applicators insure this quality in every installed court. Look for more ATP and WTA events held on Plexipave surfaces this summer leading up to the US Open.

Riteway Adds New Division

RiteWay Crack Repair has added a new division ( RiteWay Court Prep ). This division will concentrate on equipment that will make it easier for contractors to prepare courts for surfacing, including routers for cleaning out cracks, and buffers with sanding discs for leveling cracks after they are filled. Buffers can also be used for grinding down high spots or bubbled areas, and for leveling bird baths after crack filling. There are many uses for these tools.

For more information, please call 1-877-5 RiteWay. Cleaning out cracks with a screw driver is time-consuming and doesn't do a good job. Scraping cracks after filling with court patch leaves ridges etc. Time is money.

Seaview Park Tennis Facility

George Todd, CTCB and Sheldon Westervelt were invited to participate in a board meeting at the Town of Palm Beach where they presented the ASBA Award for Distinguished Outdoor Tennis Facility to the Parks and Recreation Department for Seaview Park Tennis Facility.

SportMaster Sport Surfaces Expands with New Locations in 2011

SportMaster products, which are distributed through the SealMaster franchise system, will have 9 new U.S. distribution stores added for 2011. The new locations will stock surfacing and repair products, along with specialty tools and equipment for sport surfacing contractors. The new locations are:

• Birmingham, Alabama

• Burbank, California

• Boston, Massachusetts

• Jackson, Mississippi

• St. Louis, Missouri

• Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

• Columbia, South Carolina

• Houston, Texas

• Lubbock, Texas

A new international location in Brantford, Ontario Canada is also slated to open this year, followed by future expansions throughout all of Canada.

New Leadership at TigerTurf Americas Renews Commitment to Customer Satisfaction and Product Quality

TigerSports Americas, Inc., has installed a new senior management team to elevate the company’s position as a synthetic turf supplier of choice for athletic and landscape surfaces: Dave Powell now serves as president, supported by Greg Roscoe as vice president of sales and marketing and John “Doug” DeMasie as vice president of operations. All are based at TigerTurf Americas' Austin headquarters.

Powell has almost 30 years of experience in sales and management for major manufacturing companies such as Honeywell, Luvata and United Technologies. His experience is concentrated in aligning companies for growth and profitability, with emphasis on strong financial systems, effective talent management, and business development programs that resulted in sales of up to $300 million.

“At TigerTurf, I am pleased to report that we will aggressively apply the Six Sigma Process for quality improvement and customer satisfaction. My leadership team and I also are implementing new programs to elevate our brand in the market place and accelerate sales while also focusing on continuous development of our organization and our people,” Powell commented.

Powell is excited to be part of a strong growth industry within the outstanding 300-year corporate culture and performance of TenCate, parent company of TigerTurf and the leading manufacturer of synthetic turf components.

Powell earned a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing from Pennsylvania State University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Drexel University.

Roscoe, who joined TigerTurf in December, was attracted to the opportunity to serve in the senior sales and marketing role for TigerTurf because of TenCate’s ownership stake in the company and its commitment to the global turf industry. He has 25 years of marketing, business development, sales and management experience. Prior to joining TigerTurf, Roscoe held senior positions with synthetic turf companies Spectra Sports Surfaces, a division of Shaw Industries; Turf Evolutions LLC, a company he founded; Challenger Industries, Inc.; and eleven years in management positions with TenCate starting in 1990.

“In my new role at TigerTurf, I am eager to help the company earn the recognition it deserves for the quality and reliability that TigerTurf and TenCate represent,” said Roscoe. “Furthermore, I am excited to promote all of the benefits that synthetic turf offers to our customers. We are also actively recruiting top notch partners throughout the U.S. We believe a powerful global brand, supported by local and regional partners is the key to sustainable success in this business,” Roscoe explained.

Roscoe mentioned two new programs TigerTurf is launching for its partners this year include cooperative advertising and quality certifications for athletic fields installed by TigerTurf partners.

Roscoe earned a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial management from Georgia Institute of Technology. He is an active member of the Synthetic Turf Council, and maintains affiliations with the Geosynthetic Materials Association, Industrial Fabrics Association International, American Society of Landscape Architects, and Georgia Tech Alumni Association.

DeMasie joined TigerTurf full time in October 2010. He has 25 years of experience in operations, manufacturing processes and procurement for a variety of industrial companies. For 24 years, DeMasie worked for Acuity Brands Lighting/Lithonia Lighting, which is based in Conyers, Ga. Just prior to joining TigerTurf, he served as a consultant in implementation of lean manufacturing processes for lighting manufacturers.

“As vice president of operations, I am focused on ensuring that TigerTurf always delivers a superior product on time and at a competitive price that meets or exceeds our customers’ expectations,” DeMasie said. “Our production team has built an excellent foundation for manufacturing a quality product, and we will do even better in the months and years to come.”

DeMasie earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University. He received several awards and certifications, including the Lean Manufacturing Master Black Belt, Acuity Brands President’s Safety Award and Acuity Brands Chairman’s Award. He served as president of the Cochran Rotary Club; chairman of the Bleckley County Hospital Authority; member of the board of directors for United Way of Bleckley County; a member of Middle Georgia College Foundation; and member of the board of directors for State Bank of Cochran.