Facilities

Court surface:            Artificial Clay (Tiger Turf Advantage Clay)
Facilities:                    Purpose-built Club House 2015
Number of courts:     Four artificial clay courts
Flood Lit Courts:        Yes
Speed:                        ITF - 2 Medium-Slow

To keep up with the advances of modern tennis clubs. De Vesci TC made the brave decision to install all artificial clay tennis courts the first of its kind in Ireland. The surface is called Tiger Turf Advantage Clay, it is a synthetic clay that looks and plays like clay. Accredited with an ITF 2 court pace rating of (Medium-Slow) means its the most realistic synthetic clay court on the market today. De Vesci sent a clay court committee to Liverpool on a fact-finding mission to play on two synthetic clay courts. With excellent playing characteristics and the benefits discussed De Vesci voted in the new synthetic clay courts in 2015.

It took one month to install the new courts.  The main difference between synthetic clay and artificial grass is the court pace.   Synthetic Clay is ITF 2 Medium-Slow while Artificial Grass is ITF 5 Fast.   This means higher, slower bounces, which makes for longer rallies, more opportunities for learners to see how points are constructed compared to faster surfaces. We find rallies are longer and points are won more tactically compared to other surfaces.   This is great for beginners and advanced players.   Another benefit of clay is that the surface provides excellent support for joints and muscles, meaning that gameplay is more comfortable and the risk of injury is reduced.  Spin also reacts well to the surface.   Several professional players learnt their craft on clay courts.  Federer, Murray and Nadal learned how to play tennis on clay courts.   

Court maintenance is very simple.   A three-minute drag of the courts means each member's experience is the best it can be, keeping the courts smooth and ready to play.   By dragging the courts, it also allows members to cool down and stretch after a match.

"I spent my summers playing at this club.  It's great to see the club go from strength to strength.  The courts look and play brilliantly and it feels and play like clay as promised.  De Vesci is a great club for local people and is all the more enjoyable with these new facilities." - De Vesci Club Member