What do you build on a former cattle feedlot?
Why, a grass tennis court of course!
Like many Iowa farmers, Mark Kuhn's day begins
with chores.
There is mowing...
rolling the grounds....
and applying painted stripes...
(Okay, this is a working farm, but by now you can tell this
isn't a typical "to do" list.)
With the advice from Iowa State University turf specialists,
Mark, a former state legislator, brought one of his passions to life:
In 2002, he built a grass tennis court ... where his
family's cattle feedlot once stood.
It wasn't easy.
Mark Kuhn : The soil here grows corn here very well but it
doesn't grow bent grass.
We hauled in a lot of very sandy soil and put it on top of the feedlot.
And then leveled it off.
Installed drainage line, tile about every 12 feet.
There are 5 tile lines that drain the course.
We put in sprinkler system, leveled it off and seeded it.
Dan : How did you develop your passion for tennis
and Wimbledon-style grass tennis?
Mark : Lawn tennis was my first introduction to the game.
Listening on the BBC with my grandfather.
And so I had an early idea of what it was about.
Dan : In 2012, Mark and his wife got to
see the famed British landmark first hand.
After receiving three rejection letters -- he was accepted as
grounds crew intern at the All England Lawn Tennis Club just
prior to the Wimbledon tennis Championships.
While there, he met a few of the players during
their practice sessions.
He also was introduced to "Rufus",
the hawk that patrols center court to keep the pigeons at bay.
He says much of the court care he learned in England will be
applied to improve his own court.
Still, thanks to Mark, we still get the Wimbledon experience
here in Iowa: The Union Jack flag flies ... and the court is
even named after the All England Club.
He says he built this court for himself and friends ...
but guests - who are required to make reservations at this
private court -- have come from 36 states and a couple of
foreign countries to play on one of the
few grass courts in America.
Some even fly into the airport in Charles City.
This foursome flew in from the Quad Cities ... all dressed in
the traditional white clothing that is required at Wimbledon.
After posing for the camera, they were whisked off to the
farm and wasted no time in getting on the grass court.
I started playing tennis the year I went into high school,
60-some years ago.
I think about 10-11 years ago I was voted into
the Iowa Tennis Hall of Fame.
I always wanted to play on a grass court, never have.
It's great I enjoyed it very much.
First time on grass and its really different.
Gotta move your feet similar to clay.
It's got a lot of class and ambiance
that's a pleasant surprise.
The detail from the fences to the grass to the warm
hospitality is really cool.
This is like a tennis player's field of dreams.
Between the corn fields and grass court, couldn't be better.
It's a few and far between whenever we get to play on a
grass court.
Dan: T he players spent several hours here and took frequent
breaks during this hot summer day.
Mark yells out to Dan on court: "There you go."
During one of their breaks, I ask Mark to give me a few
pointers about playing on a grass court.
Of course, we both change into our "whites",
which I hope will help my game!
If I look the part, maybe I'll play better!
Mark
They don't bounce as high.
But from a player's perspective it's comforting.
It's very easy on the legs.
You can play here longer, I think.
The sun's heat is kind of absorbed by the grass.
It isn't reflected back at you like it would be on a normal
hard court.
It's just a joy here.
Dan : Okay, I've chased enough tennis balls for one day.
Its time to let the Quad City visitors have the court back.
I have just as much fun watching them from the deck --- or the
"Royal Box" as they call it at Wimbledon.
Mark : Dan, we thought we'd serve a little bit of
Wimbledon treat here.
Fresh strawberries and cream.
Dan : And that's a Wimbledon tradition?
Mark : Yes, they serve it during the championships.
Dan : This dessert isn't offered to every visitor ... but
it is a touch of Wimbledon tradition.
Meanwhile, back on the court- Mark's other guests can't seem
to get enough games in ...
It's a nice day.
Nice to get a little breeze to take away the big heat.
Couldn't be prettier.
I'm thankful Mark let us come up and play today.
Dan: If this foursome has the energy and desire after their
game ---there is a place just a few miles from here to go to
cool off.
Charles City offers up Iowa's first white water course
built on the Cedar River.
The city modified an existing low-flow dam ... and used heavy
equipment to bring in large rocks to set the water's flow.
Tubers ... kayakers ... and even experienced canoeists can
maneuver around the rocks and through the waves at three
distinct white water sections of the river.
But you can choose to bypass the challenge and float the same
section - on a less turbulent chute on river left.
And there is a third choice: If you prefer to just watch the
action -- there is plenty of green space ... with some
spectator seating at river's edge.