MOUNT PLEASANT, SC – Lowcountry tennis players, get ready for a whole new game on the recently-opened clay courts at the Mount Pleasant Tennis Complex! The Mount Pleasant Recreation Department’s tennis complex now has three new lighted clay tennis courts that are open to the public for play.

The three recently constructed courts, which officially opened in December, are a new addition to the Mount Pleasant Tennis Complex, which is also home to 15 lighted hard courts. The new courts are comprised of Har-Tru Clay material, a dark green-colored clay. Each court contains six irrigation heads and a brink curbing around the perimeter, as well as a new lower fencing that consists of 1¾-inch mesh with an 8-gauge finish.

Complete with lights to accommodate nighttime play, the lighting consists of eight 1000-watt fixtures per court, which is considered “club-level” lighting.

“Since their opening, the clay tennis courts have been very popular with seniors, league players as well as juniors,” said Mount Pleasant Recreation Department Tennis Coordinator Jimmy Millar, who was instrumental in having the clay courts constructed at the complex.

“Since the Mount Pleasant Tennis Complex is fully utilized during peak hours, the three additional courts also allow for more court availability during evening league play,” said Millar.

The clay courts are open during the week for the Mount Pleasant Tennis Complex’s normal business hours: Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. The complex is closed on Sundays. The clay tennis courts are available to all Town residents and anyone interested in using them for a game of tennis. Prior to playing, players and visitors to the complex should sign in at the clubhouse.

This year’s youth participants in the Mount Pleasant Tennis Complex’s Junior Summer Tennis Camps will receive the opportunity to be orientated on the complex’s new clay courts. One of the department’s most popular summer camps, the annual four-day camps are taking place throughout July and August. Spaces are still available for registration. Summer campers receive individual as well as group instruction from 20-year United States Professional Tennis Association Level 1 teaching pros Tom and Clay Maynor, along with 14-year USPTA assistant pro Chris Webb. The camps offer children a fun and safe atmosphere to learn all aspects of tennis, with campers learning basic strokes and fundamentals, court etiquette and scoring. In addition to the tennis complex, tennis camps are also held at the Royall Avenue Tennis Courts in the Old Village area. Junior Summer Tennis Camps are open to ages 6-16 and run select Mondays through Thursdays this summer, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Various other Mount Pleasant Recreation Department facilities are also hosting camps throughout the summer.

Registration for all tennis programs is available now at any MPRD facility or online at www.townofmountpleasant.com. The Mount Pleasant Tennis Complex is located at 889 Whipple Road. For more information on summer camps or other tennis programs, call the tennis complex at 856-2162 or access our summer activities brochure, available for pickup from any Mount Pleasant Recreation Department facility or online at www.townofmountpleasant.com.

For more information on the clay courts or the Mount Pleasant Tennis Complex, contact MPRD Tennis Coordinator Jimmy Millar at 843-856-2162. Also visit www.townofmountpleasant.com.