Click here to view the issue: https://www.bluetoad.com/publication/?i=836902 We’re so excited to share this new issue of Pickleball Club Magazine with you! This is our one year anniversary of publishing the magazine. This one is a good one too….it’s packed with stories that highlight the incredible energy, creativity, and community spirit fueling pickleball clubs everywhere. Whether…
College pickleball has exploded over the past three years, and its explosion is a microcosm of the explosion of pickleball as a whole. The Indiana University Pickleball Club stands as an excellent example of the stirrings happening at the college level. Indiana University is a very large college with almost 50,000 undergraduates, yet three years ago, students wouldn’t have been able to find a club on campus. Fast forward to the present. IU Pickleball has hundreds of members, recreational and competitive play, and is currently ranked ninth overall on DUPR.
Pictona, a world-class pickleball complex located in Daytona Beach, Florida, is creating waves at the “World’s Most Famous Beach”. In this interview, we sit down with Mark Shaw of Pictona to hear about the journey of this club’s founders, Rainer and Julie Martens, and how their love for the sport evolved into a multi-million-dollar facility. From its origins as an idea to alleviate crowded courts, Pictona has grown into a 15-acre campus with 49 courts, a 1,200-seat stadium, and various recreational amenities. Shaw shares insights into the Martens’ dedication, the challenges and triumphs of developing Pictona, and the unique position it holds within the Daytona Beach area as a top-tier pickleball venue that attracts both local members and global visitors.
Despite the typical challenge of expanding a business in California, the owners at the HUB, a pickleball club quickly gaining steam, have opened three unique facilities in San Diego, Alameda, and Silicon Valley. Simply put, the HUB is doing a lot of things right, as each club offers exceptional pickleball courts, tasty food, and a lively community at each location. Business expansion can be difficult in any state, let alone in California, but the HUB’s prudent philosophy of growth has yielded several fruitful facilities. The current owners, Ted Angelo and Pat Rolfe hope to further their club’s growth by franchising to other states in the near future.
Planning a pickleball tournament is tough. It takes a lot of coordination and planning, and it can be a big money maker for your pickleball club. Big tournaments can also bring the eyes of the community to you, encouraging new players to pick up a paddle.
But what happens if you have everything set up: players are pumped, fans are excited, your staff is ready to go…and it starts pouring?
The Huntsville Pickleball Club is a vibrant example of how a local sports organization can foster community spirit and promote healthy living through a popular sport. Established over a decade ago, this club has grown from its initial base in Huntsville to include neighboring towns such as Athens and Decatur. With a mission focused on expanding the reach of pickleball and enhancing local recreational opportunities, the club has made significant strides over the last ten years.
