If you asked a dozen people to list a dozen places that had something in common with Baker City, Oregon, it’s doubtful Wimbledon, England would appear on any of the lists. The two are separated by 4,600 miles, eight time zones and one ocean.  Baker City’s climate is arid and continental, meaning the summers are hot and the winters are cold.   Wimbledon’s climate is wet and maritime, meaning the temperature range is small.  Baker City is in the hinterlands, a two hours drive from the nearest metropolitan area.   Wimbledon is a suburb of London, a city of 7 million.  Despite their differences, Baker City and Wimbledon share one thing that’s rare almost everywhere in the world: grass tennis courts.   Wimbledon’s courts are, or course, known across the globe as the site of one of the world’s most famous tennis tournaments. 

Baker City’s courts, on the other hand, remain a secret to most Oregonians, even to many of the town’s 9,870 residents.  But Borden and Sandi Granger—the couple who built the two courts on their property on a hill overlooking the city—hope to change that.  Encouraging people to take up the sport and giving them the rare opportunity to play on grass are the main reasons they began building the two courts in 1994, Borden says.  "We get as much or more enjoyment from watching people play here as we do playing ourselves," he says. "While they’re private, they’re still reasonably public. We don’t charge anybody, but I’d rather have them used than not used."  

The Grangers have hosted several tournaments since the courts were ready for play in August 1996. On any summer evening, there’s likely to be someone playing under the lights.  The couple, who moved to Baker City from Estacada in 1987, have invited everyone from youths to senior citizens to play on their courts.  "We like to see the kids come out," Sandi says. 

Borden played tennis in high school, but "didn’t pick up a racket for 25 years after that."  Then he traveled to British Columbia in 1991 to play in a grass court tournament a friend told him about.   It was the first time he had seen a grass court, and he was intrigued.   Borden, who had excavated a site on his property intending to build a single hard court, asked the court superintendent about grass courts and whether they were difficult to maintain.  "She made it sound pretty simple," he says. So, Borden expanded his project, clearing a 130 foot by 130 foot piece of ground, enough for two regulation courts, and seeding it with Penn-cross bentgrass. Borden cites several good reasons for building a court with grass rather than asphalt or some other hard surface. Grass is a better cushion, and is "much easier on the body," he says. And playing on grass is a challenge few players experience. Borden knows of just two other grass courts on the West Coast, both in Southern California. When the grass is moist, the ball moves slower than on a hard court. But when the grass is cut short and allowed to dry, it plays faster than any other surface. To see the effects, watch a men’s match at Wimbledon. Most of the points are won after only a few shots.

Building a grass court actually costs less than a hard court, Borden says. But unlike hard courts, which require little maintenance, grass courts consume time and money in regular installments. Borden says he spends, on average, one hour a day during the summer working on the courts. He mows the grass every day, waters it twice a day and fertilizes it about every three weeks. He also aerates the courts at least twice a season. The Grangers own both a special mower and the aerator, which has tines that dig narrow holes in the grass, allowing the fertilizer and water to penetrate down to the roots. Borden also pulls a weighted roller across the courts frequently to keep them smooth. He won’t say how much money he and Sandi have spent on the courts. They did have help, in the form of expertise, rather than cash, from several local firms.

Although the lack of grass courts in the United States means the Grangers have few people on whom to call for help, Borden says the principles of maintaining a grass tennis court are similar to those for taking care of a golf course putting green. He’s learned a lot over the past three years. When he built the courts, he expected that as players jumped for overheads and skidded to reach passing shots, he would have to "rest" one court, allowing the grass to heal, while allowing people to play on the other. That hasn’t been necessary. "They’ve held up much better than I ever would have expected," Borden says.  And word about the Grangers' court is spreading.

The United States Tennis Association printed aerial photographs of the courts in its magazine. Last year’s Pacific Northwest-Inter-Mountain Senior Grass Court mixed double tournament attracted 18 teams of players from Oregon, Idaho and Washington, says Phil Brown of Baker City, the tournament’s co-director. Phil says many local tennis players enjoy having the chance to play on grass courts without traveling long distances. "I think it’s great that Baker has them, and thanks to the Grangers we do," Phil says. "I think it’s really unique." Borden has other plans for the courts, including a tournament for the best players from Oregon high schools of all sizes. But to accommodate all the events he has envisioned, he will need to do a bit more work. He’s already building more courts on the west side of his property, where there’s just enough room for two more. "I’m a glutton for punishment," Borden say with a grin.

In the early evening, as the sun slowly descended in the West, I had the privilege of being the fourth in a pickup game in Eastern Oregon with Borden Granger, Bruce McMillan and my partner George Burns. Yes, George Burns, a surgeon and very much alive!

This match was so very special. Not only because I had not played since March or competitively for over a year due to other tennis business and travel, but because this was on a beautiful grass court in Baker City, Oregon. As lefty George was instructed to carry the load, we watched the clouds turn pink between points. Freshly watered grass makes the balls have less bounce and on grass bounces are SO quiet. In the distance, I could hear cattle lowing, horses neighing, a dog bark now and then. As the blue in the eastern Oregon sky darkened, the clouds turned to a gorgeous hot pink and the face of a three-quarter moon smiled upon us.

In the second set Thom VanArtsdalen replaced Bruce. Down 30-Love we started a comeback, still hearing the gentle and peaceful animal sounds. As the sky completely darkened, I could hear a hawk call out and then the crickets began to sing….a second set victory. Watch out Wimbledon, here we come!

Borden has personally funded this six year two-court enterprise and plans to build two more. He has held a senior tournament for three years, this year over Labor Day, with the intent to sanction in 1998. Thank you Borden and Sandi for inviting me and the others into your "backyard." Your generosity and TLC is evident and this was truly a refreshing and revitalizing experience.

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