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Hamptons.com
August 10, 2017

Bringing Youthful Enthusiasm To The Hamptons: Smart Sport Surfacing Tennis Court Construction

Chris Hallby Chris Hall
in Real Estate
Home Real Estate

Few people have a career that spans decades focusing on perfecting a specific passion. Joe Murphy of Smart Sport Surfacing is a hybrid; he exudes a youthful enthusiasm to his craft along with a well-earned encyclopedic knowledge of the history of tennis court construction and renovation that comes with years of studying his profession. This knowledge is based on a thirty year career as the owner operator of an elite tennis court construction company.

Recently, I sat down with Joe and asked him about his career.

Joe, tell us about your earliest memory of tennis, whether it be playing, watching, or work related?

JM: It was definitely work related. I was fifteen and my father said I need to get a job. He told me that the local super market was hiring stock boys. I did not see myself as a stock boy so I found a pavement company around the corner from our home. One of the many facets of pavement work was tennis court surfacing and line striping business. I took to it immediately, and as soon as I got my driver’s license I was assigned to my own box truck and crew… I was on my way. At the age of 23 with two children and one on the way, I decided it was time to start my own company. Since that time, I have built and resurfaced hundreds and hundreds of courts.

Joe Murphy of Smart Sport Surfacing, early in his career at the West Side Tennis Club (Courtesy Photo)


When and where was your first tennis court construction project?

JM: The first challenging project was the re-construction of the historic West Side Tennis Club’s at Forest Hills Stadium, grand stand courts and practice courts. I was hired by the late Lamar Hunt’s company World Championship Tennis. We were asked to convert the stadium court and the other courts from Har-Tru to DecoTurf. The major challenge was that I had to complete the job by mid-July for Mr. Hunt’s pre U.S. Open tournament. Furthermore, we had to complete it while the club was open and in full swing. The construction included removing all of the Har-Tru surface, regrading all the courts, adding new drainage systems for the stadium court, paving the courts, installing the Pro DecoTurf surface, fencing, and new 35 foot light poles for grand stand and practice courts. I actually completed it weeks before the due date. I was flattered that many of the world’s top professionals complimented me on the quality of the courts.

Tennis court construction is such a precise process. Can you describe the evolution of this process and tell us about some of the most significant advancements?

JM: As most tennis players may know, tennis began on grass in late 1800’s. It quickly became “the game”. In England, they found that grass would burn in the summer months. In order to protect them, they ground up defective and old clay pots and spread over the grass. This was the birth of the clay court. As tennis grew in popularity in the 1900’s they refined the red clay process and used a more regulated method of ground bricks and clay pots. In 1930 HarTru began building clay courts and the courts became more standardized. Hard courts (asphalt and concrete based) began popping up all over the country, but they were mainly used for parks, schools and homeowners. It wasn’t until 1978 when the U.S. Open, not only moved from the West Side Tennis Club at Forest Hills to the newly built National Tennis Center in Queens, New York, but moved from Har-Tru to DecoTurf. That year, the always colorful Jimmy Connors won the First DecoTurf Grand Slam and so began the rise of DecoTurf. I would have to say that DecoTurf is the most significant advancement in tennis court construction. Many companies have tried to duplicate the DecoTurf process but have failed. DecoTurf has been the surface of the U.S. Open since 1978 and continues to be so today. DecoTurf was selected in the last two Olympic games, NCAA Championship Games and countless other venues around the world.

In order to protect grass courts, the British ground up defective and old clay pots and spread over the grass. (Photo: Smart Sport Surfacing)


How do you keep your passion and interest in a craft that requires perfection?

JM: Simply put, I love to build things. As a child I would spend countless hours in my yard with Tanka trucks, dozers, excavators and dump trucks and create imaginary cities. This evolved into actual construction, and has been my passion to this day. As for perfection, I always believe if you’re going to take time out to do something, give yourself enough time to do it perfectly.

Tell me about a current project and the challenges, if any that you face?

JM: I currently have several projects in the Hamptons going on at the same time. I am working on a new court construction project, we are in the court design stage. I have met with client and they explained their vision of the court and surrounding areas. I carefully took them through the entire process, from tree clearing, base prep, drainage, paving, fencing to the final Pro DecoTurf surface. We also visited three of my prior court construction projects so they could see the high quality of my work and gather ideas for their own court. Another project I am currently working on is a re-building of an existing court. We removed and replaced all the fencing, net, net poles. We repaired the existing surface and are currently installing the Pro DecoTurf resilient surface. The last of the current projects is a custom repair and resurface job. It is a systematic process with the following stages: we have power washed the court, removed the old net poles and the cement bases, removed the old basketball goal and its cement base, installed new net pole and basketball goal cement bases, filled the cracks, applied the Armor crack repair system to all the cracks (with the Armor system the courts are guaranteed for two years), and resurfaced the court. We also installed a new basketball goal. The most challenging issue in outdoor construction is always the weather, and you can’t change the weather.

DecoTurf has been the surface of the U.S. Open since 1978. (Photo: Smart Sport Surfacing)


What is your advice to a young person that wants to pursue this line of work?

JM: My advice for a young person is the same for my line of work or any line of work. Pick a field that interests you, learn as much about it as you can. Learn from the experienced coworkers, ask as many questions as you can, and no matter how many times someone has told you something, if a coworker is telling you the same thing again, never say I “know” because it’s a good chance that will be the last advice you get from them. Work hard, play hard, don’t let your business life consume you, remember your working to provide enjoyment in your off time.

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INTERVIEW: Author Holly Peterson Dishes On “It Happens in the Hamptons” And More

INTERVIEW: Author Holly Peterson Dishes On "It Happens in the Hamptons" And More

  • Sag Harbor resident, actor, writer, and teacher Josh Pais has spent decades exploring what it means to be fully present—on screen and in life. Known for his roles in Joker, Ray Donovan, the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and many others, he has more than 150 film and television credits to his name. He has now turned his focus inward with his new memoir, Lose Your Mind: The Path to Creative Invincibility, which was released on September 30, 2025.⁠
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Drawing on his years of experience as founder of the Committed Impulse training method, Josh offers readers a bold invitation to release self-judgment, lean into all feelings, and connect with the spontaneous energy that fuels authentic creativity. His message—both playful and profound—challenges the myth of “good” and “bad” emotions and instead celebrates the full spectrum of human experience.⁠
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Josh will visit Sag Harbor for a reading and book signing this Sunday, October 12th from 4:00–5:30 p.m. at Grenning Gallery (26 Main Street, Sag Harbor). ⁠
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📸: Commune Media⁠
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Read the full interview at Hamptons.com (Link in Bio)⁠
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#hamptons #joshpais #book #sagharbor #author #actor
  • @linamxn at the Sag Harbor Music Festival! @sagharbormusic 

The four day festival kept the music going over 4 days at various stages in Sag Harbor. 

#sagharbormusicfestival #sagharbor #hamptons #livemusic #linamaxine #local
  • Grab your furry friend and take a stroll to Main Beach with ARF!

Check out the Top Hamptons Events This Weekend!

🐾 ARF’s Stroll to the Sea Dog Walk
📅 When: Saturday, October 11, 2025 | 9AM–12PM
📍 Where: Mulford Farm, 10 James Lane, East Hampton, NY

Enjoy vendors, contests, and giveaways before strolling to Main Beach.

🥣 Chowdah Chowdown
📅 When: Saturday, October 11, 2025 | 12PM–3PM
📍 Where: Springs Tavern and Grill, 15 Fort Pond Blvd, East Hampton, NY

All-you-can-eat chowder and soup from 20 local chefs, plus live music and a mocktail bar — all to benefit the Springs Food Pantry!

🍺 SagtoberFest
📅 When: Sat, Oct 11 – Sun, Oct 12, 2025 | 12PM–8PM
📍 Where: Kidd Squid, 11 Spring St, Sag Harbor, NY

Celebrate Oktoberfest Sag Harbor–style! Enjoy bratwurst, pretzels, oysters, pumpkin stew, and live music by Jon Divello, Woody Boley, Greg McMullen & Jake Lear.

🎬 33rd Hamptons International Film Festival
📅 When: Thurs, Oct 9 – Mon, Oct 13, 2025 | 9AM–10PM
📍 Where: Various Locations

The 33rd edition of HIFF brings a world-class lineup of narrative and documentary films, features, and shorts from around the globe. 

🍪 Levain Bakery: Book Talk & Signing
📅 When: Saturday, October 11, 2025 | 12PM–1PM
📍 Where: BookHampton, 41 Main Street, East Hampton, NY

Meet Levain Bakery cofounders Pam Weekes & Connie McDonald and grab their new book.

🌿 26th Annual Long Pond Greenbelt Celebration
📅 When: Saturday, October 11, 2025 | 10AM–1PM
📍 Where: SOFO Museum, 377 Bridgehampton–Sag Harbor Tpk, Bridgehampton, NY

Enjoy games, crafts, guided walks, face painting, and ice cream!

🎉 CMEE’s Big Birthday Bash!
📅 When: Saturday, October 11, 2025 | 10AM–12PM
📍 Where: SOFO, 376 Bridgehampton–Sag Harbor Tpk, Bridgehampton, NY

Join for crafts, treats, dance, and play!

🛋️ Hub Home Grand Opening Party & Open House
📅 When: Friday, October 10, 2025 | 6PM–9PM
📍 Where: HUB Home, 2183 Montauk Hwy, Bridgehampton, NY

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Check out more events at Hamptons.com (Link in Bio)
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#hamptons #arf #community #stephentalkhouse #dining #hamptonsfilmfestival
  • The 33rd Hamptons International Film Festival kicked off last Friday with the U.S. premiere of A24’s Eternity starring Elizabeth Olsen, Miles Teller, and Callum Turner.⁠
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Elizabeth Olsen attended the premiere on Friday, and on Saturday sat down with IndieWire’s Editorial Director Kate Erbland at the Sag Harbor Cinema as a part of the festival’s “A Conversation With” series. Later that day, the second “A Conversation With” took place as Ethan Hawke and moderator Alison Stewart talked about Blue Moon, as well as Hawke’s filmography. ⁠
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Sydney Sweeney received the festival’s Achievement in Acting Award following the U.S. premiere of her film Christy in East Hampton. ⁠
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Notable Guests included: Alessandro Nivola, Alec Baldwin, Amanda Peet, Tonatiuh, Miriam Shor, Lois Smith, Tim Blake Nelson, Mareille Enos, Bob Balaban, E. Jean Carroll, Roberta Kaplan, Ellen Barkin, Bernie Telsie, Bill Condon.⁠
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📸: Jess Dalene⁠
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Check out the full gallery at Hamptons.com (Link in Bio)⁠
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#hiff #hamptonsinternationalfilmfestival #film #elizabetholsen #sydneysweeney #hamptons #hamptonsfilm⁠
  • When: Fri, Oct 3rd – Sun, Oct 5th, 2025
8am – 5pm

Where: Levain Bakery, 354 Montauk Hwy, Wainscott, NY

Levain Bakery is introducing a new cookie for a limited time: Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate Chip – a decadent mix of creamy and chunky peanut butter with rich dark chocolate chunks. Originally created to celebrate the opening of Levain’s Beverly Hills Bakery, this indulgent new flavor will now be available for just three days only, October 3–5, at all retail bakery locations.

To make the weekend even sweeter, guests who purchase a cookie will receive a Levain Bakery mini tote (while supplies last), a fan-favorite collectible sure to go quickly.

#levain #levainbakery #cookie #minitote #tote #hamptons
  • From world premieres at the Hamptons International Film Festival to SouthamptonFest! ⁠
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Check out the Top Hamptons Events This Weekend!⁠
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🎬 33rd Hamptons International Film Festival⁠
📅 Oct 3 – 13, 2025 | 9AM – 10PM⁠
📍 Various Locations⁠
A global lineup of films, shorts & documentaries.⁠
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🍪 Levain Bakery⁠
📅 Oct 3 – 5, 2025 | 8AM – 5PM⁠
📍 354 Montauk Hwy, Wainscott⁠
Try the Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate Chip cookie + snag a mini tote (while supplies last).⁠
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🎉 13th Annual SouthamptonFest⁠
📅 Oct 3 – 5, 2025 | 10AM – 7PM⁠
📍 Southampton Village⁠
Arts, culture, food & family fun all weekend long!⁠
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🎶 SpringsFest⁠
📅 Oct 4, 2025⁠
📍 1 Parsons Pl, East Hampton⁠
Live music, raffles, crafts, blacksmith demos & more.⁠
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💃 Salsa Social @ The Clubhouse Hamptons⁠
📅 Oct 4, 2025 | 9PM – 11:30PM⁠
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Dance the night away w/ DJ Chile & more!⁠
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🐚 34th Annual Largest Clam Contest⁠
📅 Oct 5, 2025 | 12PM – 3PM⁠
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Taste clam chowder, clam pies & cheer on the winners!⁠
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🎷 East Meets West Jazz Jam Session⁠
📅 Oct 5, 2025 | 2PM – 5PM⁠
📍 Southampton Cultural Center⁠
Free community jazz jam – all are welcome.⁠
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🌕 Full Hunter’s Super Moon Hike⁠
📅 Oct 6, 2025 | 6:30PM – 7:30PM⁠
📍 SOFO Museum Parking Lot⁠
Guided evening hike under the moonlight.⁠
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✨ Which event are you most excited for?⁠
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Check out more events at Hamptons.com (Link in Bio)⁠
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#hamptons #hamptonsinternationalfilfestival #hiff #jazz #fullmoon #hike #film #levainbakery #community
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