Job Description of a Tennis Court Caretaker
The job description for a tennis court caretaker will vary depending on the type of court. To properly maintain tennis courts, this person will need a variety of skills and should be mechanically inclined. Whether the court has a grass surface, a clay surface or a hard surface, the main objective is to keep it clean, in good playable condition and safe for players.
Other People Are Reading
-
Basic Maintenance
-
A tennis court caretaker will be responsible for keeping the courts clean on a daily basis, free from trash and debris. Windscreens will be installed when needed or reattached when pulled from the fencing, nets will be replaced when worn and court benches will be repaired when broken. Lighting fixtures will be inspected routinely and kept in working order.
Grass Court Maintenance
-
During the preseason, a grass court caretaker will keep the courts weed-free, fertilized with the appropriate nutrients, use the proper pesticides to control insects and worms and cut the grass to the correct height. The courts will be rolled and kept flat, free of divots and low spots. During the playing season the caretaker will water the courts when needed and mow two to three times each week and daily during tournaments. After cutting the grass, the court lines will be remarked. After tournaments the caretaker will be responsible for repairing any damage done to the courts. In the off season, the courts will be aerated, seeded, fertilized, rolled and topped with soil if needed.
-
Har-Tru (Clay) Court Maintenance
-
Har-Tru is a green clay surface made from a gray-green crushed stone. In maintaining this type of court, the caretaker will routinely brush and roll the surface. With wear and tear, low spots may develop and the caretaker will know how to locate and patch these areas and will apply a top cover when needed. Proper moisture levels will be the responsibility of the caretaker. The lines will be inspected often to ensure that they are not lifting and are securely nailed down.
Hard Court Maintenance
-
Hard courts are the easiest to maintain. A court caretaker will routinely power wash the surface to remove algae and mildew. The courts will be inspected on a weekly basis for the buildup of debris and ball fuzz that may interfere with water runoff and for weeds or other vegetation that can cause damage to the surface. Equipment to remove water such as squeegees will be kept in working order. A court caretaker will have the skills to patch and repair cracks and will arrange for the courts to be resurfaced every five years.
Equipment Maintenance
-
To properly maintain any tennis court, all tools and equipment must be in working order. A tennis court caretaker will have the mechanical abilities to make any necessary repairs to heavy equipment, brushes, rollers or sprinkler systems.
-
References
- Photo Credit tennis net image by David Ng from Fotolia.com
