U. S. Open Pickleball Championships - April 26 - May 1, 2016

First Ever US OPEN Pickleball Championships

The first ever U.S. Open Pickleball Championships begin April 26 through May 1st in Naples Florida. The US OPEN Pickleball Championships will not only have the most courts for one tournament with 48 courts, but it will also have the most players and spectators. According to Terri Graham, US OPEN Pickleball Championships founder, this tournament has more players registered than any other tournament in the history of the sport. With close to 800 registered players at this time, and still 5 weeks remaining to register, this is bound to be a historic event. It promises to display the finest players in the world before the largest crowds in the 700-seat ZING ZANG Championship court.

CBS Sports Network Coverage

CBS Sports Network will broadcast the Pro Doubles finals within 30 days after the actual event. With over 50 million subscribers, pickleball will be introduced to millions of people that will potentially become new players. The popularity of this sport is ready to explode and we are so excited to be a part of the growth process.
Entertainment offerings abound, including the ZING ZANG challenge: two players hit as many balls back and forth as possible within a minute. There will also be a KID'S DAY on April 26th with 200 local elementary students and celebrities, a US OPEN VILLAGE where food and entertainment will be served, and an endless array of parties and music in the evenings. The US Open will be much more than a tournament; it will be a Pickleball Carnival!

Prize Money to the Winners

Like the USAPA Nationals and the Tournament of Champions in Utah, the US Open offers significant prize money to medal winners. Unlike other major tournaments, the US Open will include Skill Level competitions down to the 3.0 skill level, so nearly any player can compete at the first US Open Pickleball Championships! 1,000 players and 5,000 spectators are expected to participate. 47 courts are now being surfaced with the pricey DecoTurf, the same surface used for the U.S. Open Tennis Championship courts at Flushing Meadows, NY.

Pickleball Pros Abound

Sixty-two men who are already known on the tournament circuit are registered for the Men's Pro doubles competition. For unbelievable rallies, be ready to watch these teams:

Wes Gabrielsen & Daniel Moore
Marcin Rozpedski & Morgan Evans
Brian Ashworth & Scott Moore
Kyle Yates and Dave Weinbach
Chris Miller and Rafael Siebenschein

For Women's Doubles Pro, watch one of these teams:

Sarah Ansboury & Christine McGrath
Alex Hamner & Jennifer Lucore
Gigi LeMaster and Tonja Major
Christine Barksdale & Catherine Parenteau

And for Pro Mixed Doubles, tune into the awesome combination of Daniel Moore & Sarah Ansboury or Wes Gabrielsen & Alex Hamner. Or watch one of the thirty other outstanding mixed doubles teams. For the Pro events, gold medal matches will be between the last two undefeated teams in the winner's bracket while the bronze medal goes to the winner of the consolation bracket. For all other events, the normal double elimination rules apply.

New US OPEN Official Paddle and Balls

Wilson's bright new Neon Flare pickleball will be introduced at this tournament. It almost glows in the dark! Paula and I were able to play 20 more minutes at dusk the other day because of this ball's visibility.

Check out the U.S. Open-sponsored paddle, a limited edition Paddletek Bantam EX-L paddle, with the U.S. Open colors and logo. Now this is a practical memento from the inaugural U.S. Open Pickleball Championships!

If you would like to sponsor this event, please contact David Majick at jdmajick@centurylink.net.