APTA reviews options for court surfaces and approves Reilly’s aluminum deck

In addition to Reilly’s aluminum deck other innovators had been suggesting alternative materials such as plywood, steel, asphalt and Laykold. Courts had to pass a two season test before the APTA would provide approval.

The plywood surface was developed by “Mr. Paddle”, the Hall of Fame Inductee Dick Squires’ company Squires Marketing Associates Company (SMAC). The Minutes note that the APTA expected SMAC to seek approval soon but there had been some issues reported; ultimately the plywood deck proved unworkable. The surface had been used at the VAT Gold Cup earlier in the year.

APTA EC Minutes Feb 12 1973