Browsing: Pickleball News

It wasn’t just the pros and big-name pickleball bodies that were in action this weekend. We also saw dozens of tournaments springing up across the U.S. Here, we feature three of the last two days’ smaller tournaments that took place in Massachusetts, Tennessee, and Illinois. Gleason Family YMCA, Massachusetts Sixteen top-notch pickleball players from the South Coast area of Massachusetts convened at the Gleason Family YMCA for a competitive St. Patrick’s Day pickleball tournament. Situated in southeastern Massachusetts, the South Coast encompasses southern Bristol and Plymouth counties along the shores of Buzzards Bay. It features cities like Fall River, New…

The Association of Pickleball Players has revealed a youth development program to help players aged 18 and under chart a clear course to progress onto the prestigious APP Tour. The announcement follows hot on the heels of the reveal of the 2024 APP Next Gen National Team roster. Tailored Coaching And Educational Opportunities With an increasing demand for junior pickleball players to receive essential training and resources, the APP Junior Circuit steps in to provide just that. Through tailored coaching and educational opportunities, junior players will hone their skills and position themselves on a proper trajectory towards the APP Next Gen…

Tim and Heather Dull discovered pickleball during the COVID-19 pandemic, and they began by playing in the driveway of their Maryland home while the world was in lockdown. “A Blue Court In Our Driveway” “Tim painted a blue court in our driveway, and we got one of those portable nets,” says Heather. We played pretty much every day.”  The Dulls then discovered an indoor pickleball facility nearby called Dill Dinkers during the 2022 winter holiday season. The couple fell in love with the venue and its facilities, and seeing that they had bought a property in Sarasota in 2021, they…

The University of North Carolina’s Executive Branch is holding a “Pickleball Madness” tournament today, which hopes to promote the Student Health Action Coalition (SHAC). It kicks off at noon at the South Campus Recreation Complex, an outdoor, multipurpose facility located across from the Dean E. Smith Center. Torn Meniscus Christopher Everett, the Undergraduate Student Body President, views this event as a chance to connect with the campus community, marking it as one of his final endeavors in his current role. He said, “I don’t want student government to be branded as just politics,” Everett was keen to point out that…

Houston’s latest pickleball-inspired sports bar, PKL Social, finally debuted this week, delighting locals who had been eagerly anticipating its arrival since the venue was first announced nearly two years ago. Four Pickleball Courts Led by the team behind FM Kitchen & Bar, which is renowned for its comfort food and warm patio ambience, PKL Social nestles at the intersection of Washington Avenue and Shepherd Drive. PKL Social is open every day and serves lunch and dinner until late. Patrons can reserve its four pickleball courts online for $30 per hour. For those with a more laid-back approach, $10 open play…

Spreading Positivity On And Off The Pickleball Court An Interview With Lee Whitwell In the swiftly evolving world of professional pickleball, Lee Whitwell stands out not just for her prowess on the court but also for her infectious enthusiasm and profound commitment to fostering a culture of positivity. As she embarks on her inaugural year as a senior pro, Lee’s pickleball journey continues transcending the boundaries of the sport to touch people’s lives far and wide. We sat down with Lee to discuss her career so far, exploring the motivations that fuel her passion for the game and her desire to…

This weekend seems to be the busiest one of the year so far in pickleballing terms. We’ve chosen four of the most intriguing, but check out pickleballbrackets.com or dupr.com to find even more. Chase APP Miami Pickleball Open The 2024 APP Tour continues today with the Chase APP Miami Pickleball Open, which will run until March 24 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. This event is the APP’s inaugural Major tournament of the year and will feature amplified prize pools and draws for professionals. Additionally, it holds the distinction of being a USA Pickleball Golden Ticket event, granting gold medalists…

Ohio is one of those places that crop up regularly in our features. Last weekend, Kids America hosted the first Clover Classic Team Tournament in Coshocton County, further evidence of pickleball’s popularity across the state. An Estimated 144 Players The tournament drew 32 teams, with an estimated 144 players participating. Selkirk Sport, one of the largest pickleball equipment companies in the United States, acted as the event sponsor. Co-tournament director Rachael McCreery told The Daily Jeff, “We are thrilled with the turnout today for our first annual team tournament.”  We have local teams here from Coshocton, Muskingum, and Guernsey counties.…

On the heels of a successful combine in Florida, The National Pickleball League® (NPL) once again set the stage for an electrifying season with the conclusion of its Pickleball Combine for Champions Pros (age 50+) in Texas. Players from across North America and from as far away as Australia battled through two days of high-level competition at each venue, showcasing their talents and abilities in the hopes that a representative from one of the 12 NPL teams looking on would take notice and select them in the upcoming player draft. The top two male and female performers at the Combine…

It was back in 2018 when Rainer and Julie Martens unveiled their ambitious plan: to donate several million dollars toward constructing a top-tier pickleball complex in Holly Hill, Florida. Their commitment extended beyond mere financial backing; they also pledged two years of hands-on involvement to ensure it would be established successfully. A Haven For Aficionados After six years of dedicated effort and a personal investment exceeding $7 million, the Ormond Beach duo will step away from their leadership roles at Pictona at the end of December. Their vision to found a haven for aficionados of our favorite sport has become…