Clubs of all sizes can benefit from hosting pickleball tournaments. From member-only events to renting your space for public tournaments, events can be a fantastic way to generate reliable income and new members. Oasis Pickleball Club in Rockwall, Texas, has winning strategies in both areas that maximize profit and provide a great time for all.
Built in 2011, Oasis began as a tennis facility. In 2017, the club started taping a few courts for pickleball and was using portable nets. When it became clear that pickleball was drawing more members than tennis, Oasis put in 16 permanent courts in 2020. The facility quickly grew to 42 dedicated outdoor pickleball courts, including two championship courts and eight covered courts perfect for inclement weather.
Director of Pickleball for Oasis, Gene Click, says when he arrived at the club three years ago with a tournament background, he immediately started reaching out to organizations to fill the books.
“Oasis is one of the largest pickleball facilities in the nation, so I knew it would be the perfect hosting site,” Gene says. “Rockwall is 45 minutes from Dallas and a bit difficult to get to. When I started making calls, people had heard of the facility but hadn’t been out here. Bringing in tournaments changed all of that.”
The response was incredibly positive. Oasis booked 13 tournaments in his first three weeks on the job with groups as large as PPA, AAP, World Pickleball Tour, etc. They continue to book big-name tournaments with organizations such as Triple Team and are looking forward to hosting the National Collegiate Pickleball Association, with 26 colleges currently committed.
Once the tournament is booked, Oasis hands over everything to the organization, including booking sponsors, invites, food vendors, and the like. The club focuses on being the best tournament venue possible by doing behind-the-scenes work to ensure all who attend enjoy a seamless experience.
Oasis does have a beer and wine license, but no on-site restaurant. Gene has built relationships with food trucks and caterers that he recommends to the tournament organizers. Each group has different needs and Oasis works to provide for them all. Whether that be a separate tent for pros or boxed lunches for officials, he knows making it easier for out-of-town organizers to fill their needs can bring back repeat business.
“Before a tournament, I make sure our large onsite tent is up and ready, landscaping is dialed in, all 17 bathrooms are clean and stay clean, and that our water towers are ready,” Gene says. On tournament day, he’s greeting the first player wearing an Oasis shirt and nametag, and he’s the last person to leave.
Operating as such allows Oasis to run with fewer employees and maximize profit since they don’t need partnership coordinators or people to set up and tear down the event.
“I don’t run the tournament, or call the next match or medals, but everyone knows if we’re out of toilet paper,” Gene says.
Oasis has had great success hosting tournaments with many of their clients returning year after year, and 2026 dates are already booked.
Besides hosting 500-person events, Oasis also hosts smaller events and has a growing membership base that enjoys tournament play. To meet member needs, the club hosts self-seeded round robins on Tuesday nights from 7:00 -9:00 PM and Saturday mornings from 9:00 – 11:00 AM with three brackets that hold 32 players each. Players schedule ahead of time, and they are guaranteed six games in two hours with different partners each time.
Gene says these events are always full and provide a tournament feel with a recreational vibe that suits the majority of their member base. While members play for free, guests are required to purchase a $20 guest pass. With 25 acres including a trampoline park and six sand courts, there isn’t a shortage of ways to spend a day at Oasis. Once guests also learn there isn’t a court reserve system because courts are always open, many guests see the value and, in turn, join the club.
Oasis Pickleball Club has hit a sweet spot with tournament organization. By blending a mix of large and small tournaments, a constant stream of new people into the club offers dependable revenue and potential new members. Clubs big and small can increase their revenue, too, through competitive play that fits their membership needs.
