PLAY HARD HURT LESS
Whether you’re a long-time player or new to Pickleball, just like any athlete, it’s smart to get cleared to play by a Board Certified Sports Medicine Physician before picking up your racquet and heading to the court. At Sports Medicine Consulting, we offer sports physicals and management of all sports injuries.
- Dr. Christopher Sellars
Rotator Cuff Injuries
Wrist and Hip Injuries
Strains, sprains and fractures could occur from overuse or falls while you’re playing.
Pickleball
Elbow
Also known as “Tennis Elbow”, this is an overuse in injury that if officially known as lateral epicondylitis.
Mcl Strains and Sprains
If you have pain inside your knee, it could be your MCL. This ligament can become strained from side-to-side movements you make while twisting, turning and pivoting during your match.
Ankle Injuries
Ankle sprains, Achilles tendon injuries and general ankle soreness can occur from the up-and-down movements your ankle makes during Pickleball.
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Publisher’s Note
Welcome to the inaugural issue of Atlanta Pickleball Magazine!
We’re thrilled to have JOINPickleball and Diadem
Sports as our supporting sponsors. If you’re receiving this print edition in the mail, it may be thanks to our partnership with JOINPickleball.
This first issue offers a glimpse into what’s to come as we explore the vibrant lifestyle, culture, play, and sport of Pickleball across the greater Atlanta metro area, both in print and digital formats.
Don’t miss out on our Pickleball Playtime Giveaway — with over $4,000 in prizes, it’s the perfect opportunity to elevate your game.
We hope you enjoy the journey with us!
Rico Figliolini Publisher
Mighty Rockets LLC is the publisher of Atlanta Pickleball MagazineTM, Southwest Gwinnett magazine, Peachtree Corners Magazine and producer of a family of podcasts. P. O. Box 923207 Peachtree Corners, GA 30010 678-438-5310
ATLANTA
Publisher and Managing Editor
Rico Figliolini editor@atlantapickleballmagazine.com
Contributing Editor
Shawne Taylor
Senior Writer
Arlinda Smith Broady
Contributors
Kathy Dean, Anna del Villar
Photographer
George Hunter
Social Media and Newsletter Manager
Tara Martin
Advertising Graphic Designer
Harry Pinkney
Advertising
Tucker Dukes tucker@mightyrockets.com
Julie Davis
julie@livinginpeachtreecorners.com
Visit our website AtlantaPickleballMagazine.com
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The editors welcome story suggestions, submissions, event listings, achievements and photography. Please direct them to editor@atlantapickleballmaagzine.com.
Advertising and corporate sponsorship inquiries can be directed to rico@mightyrockets.com
PLAY PICKLEBALL AT YOUR SKILL LEVEL IN YOUR AREA
Coed Fixed & Coed Flex Leagues
Fixed Team Challenge Leagues
8+ Player Teams - 3 Doubles Lines
Coed Doubles/Flex Leagues
2-4 Player Teams - 1 Match per week
Fixed Leagues at ITA Atlanta Thursday
Events, Tournaments & Leagues
Aug/Nov 2024
August 30-September 1
USSP US Senior Pickleball
2024 Southeastern Zone Championship Times TBD
Cresswind Georgia at Twin Lakes
11 Ontario Lane, Hoschton, GA 30548
770-455-5844, cresswindattl.com
Registration: $65, plus $15 for each event; closes August 24. Register at pickleballbrackets.com.
The event is an age/skill tournament for players aged 50 and up. Groupings will be in five-year increments. Events will be held for men’s and women’s singles and doubles as well as mixed doubles.
August 31
Pickleball Compete Seniors
Only (PiCoSO) Tournament Times TBD
Gold Dust Park Gym
646 Industrial Blvd., Villa Rica, GA 30180
470-781-4166, villarica.org
Registration: $30. Register at stackedpickleball.com.
Organized by Villa Rica Pickleball, the tournament is a single round robin format for players aged 55 to 80. Saturday events include men’s doubles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles.
August 31
SSRC Moneyball Pickleball Cash Prize Event
1-4 p.m.
Sandy Springs Racquet Center 500 Abernathy Rd., Sandy Springs 30328 678-224-8810, sandyspringstennis.com
Registration: $40 per player, $80 per team.
Register at sandyspringstc. playbypoint.com.
Men’s, women’s and mixed teams battle for cash prizes in a round robin format. Spectators are welcome.
September 7-8
BMore Bash Pickleball Tournament
9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Coal Mountain Park
3560 Settingdown Rd., Cumming, GA 30028
770-781-2215, parks.forsythco. com/Parks/Coal-Mountain-Park Registration: $45; closes August 21. Register at pickleballbrackets.com.
Held in a round robin format, the tournament features men’s, women’s and mixed doubles events split into ages and skill levels. The proceeds benefit the BMore Learning nonprofit organization.
September 7-8
Southeast Amateur Open
Times TBD
ITA Atlanta
3110 Presidential Dr., Atlanta,
GA 30340
470-421-2402, itaatl.com Registration: $75 first event; $45 second event; $25 third event; closes August 19. Register at apatournaments.com.
Organized by the Amateur Pickleball Association (APA), the tournament is open to amateur players from 2.5 to 5.0, with events broken down by skill levels and age ranges.
September 9-15
CIBC Atlanta Slam Pickleball Tournament Times TBD
Life Time — Peachtree Corners 6350 Courtside Dr., Peachtree Corners, GA 30092
770-499-6060, lifetime.life Registration: $95; closes September 5. Register at pickleballbrackets.com.
Amateur matches will be played alongside Championship Court where top professionals in the world compete for big payouts. Part of the PPA Tour, this tournament features both amateur and professional matches. For more info, visit ppatour.com.
September 13-15
2024 GRPA State Pickleball Championships Times TBD
Tattnall Pickleball Center 1155 College St., Macon, GA 31201
478-216-5909, RDWalker@maconbibb.us Registration: $20 per player; $10 per event; closes September 4. Register at pickleballbrackets. com.
Open to current residents of Georgia, the tournament features singles, gender doubles and mixed doubles events. A free lunch is provided for all participants on Saturday.
September 14
Mercy Heart 2024 Pickleball Tournament Times TBD
Rockdale Tennis Center 1370 Parker Rd., Conyers, GA 30094 770-278-7251, rockdalecountyga.gov/tennis-center
Registration: $60 for two events; closes September 8. Register at pickleballbrackets.com.
Organized by Southern Pickleball, the tournament will benefit Mercy Heart, a nonprofit organization that offers free medical, dental, social work care and at-home post hospital care to Rockdale County residents.
September 17-19
Georgia Golden Olympics Pickleball Tournament Times TBD
Ted Wright Park 2841 Moody Rd., Bonaire, GA 31005 770-867-3603, georgiagoldenolympics.org
Registration: $55; closes August 15. Register at pickleballbrackets.com.
For ages 50 and up, the Georgia Golden Olympics Pickleball Tournament is a qualifying event for the 2025 National Senior Games. There will be singles, doubles and mixed doubles events.
September 20-22
2024 BPC Picklin’ for a Cause Times TBD
Union County Recreation Pickleball Courts
108 Chase Dr., Blairsville, GA 30512 706-439-6074, unioncountyga.gov
Registration: $50; $5 for additional events; closes September 4. Register at pickleballbrackets.com.
Organized by the Blairsville Pickleball Club, the tournament will benefit “The Kids” Webster Fund, supporting kids to be able to participate in Union County Recreation Department sports programs. There will be men’s, women’s, coed and mixed doubles events.
September 21 Classic City Open Times TBD
Jennings Mill Country Club Tennis Center 1101 Mill Pond Ct., Watkinsville, GA 30677
Justin Mercer, 478-284-6096
Registration: $50 first event; $20 second event; closes September 14. Register at pickleballbrackets.com.
Organized by Classic City Pickleball, the tournament features medals for first, second and third places.
September 21-22
Midwest Food Bank Peanut Butter Pickleball Tournament Times TBD
Wyomia Tyus Olympic Park 1301 Cowan Rd., Griffin, GA
30223 spaldingcounty.com/activities/ wyomia-tyus-olympic-park Registration: $65; closes September 14. Register at pickleballbrackets.com.
Men’s and women’s doubles events to be held on Saturday, and mixed doubles will be played on Sunday.
September 21-22
Dink for Patients Times TBD
Haralson County Recreation Department 25 Recreation Lane, Buchanan, GA 30113 770-364-4300 Registration: $50; closes September 18. Register at pickleballbrackets.com.
The charity tournament benefits the Healing Grace Mobile Clinic and features gender and mixed doubles in a round robin format with medal rounds. and features gender and mixed doubles in a round robin format with medal rounds.
September 23
Pop-Up Tournaments — Men’s Doubles
5:30-9 p.m.
Eva G. Lipman Pickleball Complex, MJCCA Zaban Park 5342 Tilly Mill Rd., Dunwoody, GA 30338 678-812-4000, atlantajcc.org
Contact: Rusal Kharel, rusal.kharel@atlantajcc.org. Registration: $50. Register at atlantajcc.org.
Pop-up tournaments are open to the community as players age 18+ of all skill levels compete
in divisions appropriate to their skills. The format includes at least three round-robin matches followed by a single elimination bracket. Each winning team receives a valuable prize package.
September 27
Dink Into Shabbat — Fall ‘24 5-7 p.m.
Eva G. Lipman Pickleball Complex, MJCCA Zaban Park 5342 Tilly Mill Rd., Dunwoody, GA 30338 678-812-4000, atlantajcc.org
Contact: Rabbi Glusman, rabbi.glusman@atlantajcc.org No registration required.
Families are invited to dink, volley and lob into Shabbat. Meet the community center’s pickleball pros, enjoy child-friendly activities and learn about the pickleball program. Rabbi Glusman will lead Shabbat songs and blessings. Challah and grape juice will be served. Dinner will be available for purchase at the new outdoor cafe.
September 28
Pickle for a Purpose Times TBD
Acworth Community Center 4361 Cherokee St., Acworth, GA 30101 georgiapickleballtournaments. com
Registration: $55 per person; closes September 21. Register at pickleballbrackets.com.
Meet and compete against other pickleball players while supporting Chosen Vessels, an organization that supports community and global missions.
September 28-29
2024 Warner Robins Summer Classic Times TBD
Ted Wright Park 2841 Moody Rd., Bonaire, GA 31005 georgiapickleballtournaments. com
Registration: $60; closes September 21. Register at pickleballbrackets.com.
The outdoor tournament includes men’s and women’s doubles on Saturday and mixed doubles on Sunday.
September 28-29
World of Pickleball — Atlanta Times TBD
ITA Atlanta
3110 Presidential Dr., Atlanta, GA 30340 470-421-2402, itaatl.com
Registration: $65 first event, $50 second event; closes September 21. Register at pickleballbrackets.com.
Over $3,000 in prize money is available for winners in men’s, women’s and mixed events. The format is round robin followed by single elimination.
October 4-6
Dink for Pink Savannah Pickleball Championship Times TBD
Savannah Golf Club 1661 East President St., Savannah, GA 31404 912-232-2156, thesavannahgolfclub.com Registration: $50; closes September 25.
Register at pickleballbrackets.com. This championship is a men’s 5.0+ doubles prize money tournament.
October 4-6
▲ Georgia Mountain Pickleball Fall Classic 2024 Times TBD
Towns County Pickleball Complex
800 US Hwy. 76, Hiawassee, GA 30546 georgiamountainpickleball.com
Registration: $50; closes September 13.
Register at pickleballbrackets.com.
The classic is a round robin format for skill levels 3.0 and above. The schedule shows women’s doubles on Friday, mixed doubles on Saturday and men’s doubles on Sunday.
October 4-6
UTR Sports Pickleball Amateur Series — Atlanta Times TBD
ITA Atlanta
3110 Presidential Dr., Atlanta, GA 30340
470-421-2402, support@universaltennis.com
Save the date; more details coming soon at georgiapickleballtournaments.com.
October 9
Member and Guest Pop-Up
Pickleball Tournament
5:30-9:30 p.m.
Eva G. Lipman Pickleball Complex, MJCCA Zaban Park 5342 Tilly Mill Rd., Dunwoody, GA 30338 678-812-4000, atlantajcc.org
Contact: Rusal Kharel, rusal.kharel@atlantajcc.org.
Registration: $84 non-members, $60 members.
Register at atlantajcc.org.
Offering fun and friendly competition for players ages 18+ of all skill levels, the tournament includes brackets for men’s and women’s beginner doubles, men’s and women’s intermediate doubles and men’s and women’s advanced doubles as well as coed doubles at all three levels.
October 11-13
Home Court 2024
Pickleball Tournament Times TBD
Tattnall Pickleball Center 1155 College St., Macon, GA 31201 478-216-5909, facebook.com/ PickleballInTheSquare Registration: $60; closes October 10. Register at pickleballbrackets.com.
Welcoming, cheerful participants play to benefit Macon Area Habitat for Humanity.
October 12-13
Battle of the Paddles (BOTP)
5 Pickleball Tournament Times TBD
Gold Dust Park Gym 646 Industrial Blvd., Villa Rica, GA 30180 470-781-4166, villarica.org
Registration: $40 for at least three events; closes October 6. Register at pickleballbrackets. com.
Slated for Saturday are men’s doubles, youth and women’s doubles events. On Sunday, mixed doubles and singles/skinny singles are scheduled. Threetime BOTP cumulative gold medal winners get prize money.
October 12-13
Golden Isles Oldies 2024
Senior Pickleball Tournament Times TBD
North Glynn Recreation Center
622 Harry Driggers Blvd., Brunswick, GA 31520 912-554-7111, glynncounty.org/1232/ North-Glynn-Recreation-Complex
Registration: $60; closes October 6.
Register at pickleballbrackets.com.
For players aged 50 and up, the tournament features men’s and women’s doubles on Saturday and mixed doubles on Sunday. On Friday, Oct. 11, 6 p.m., a players’ dinner is offered at an added cost.
October 17-20
Zero Zero Boo 2024 Pickleball Tournament Times TBD
Dink’d Pickleball
500 Fury’s Ferry Rd., Ste. 107, Augusta, GA 30907 706-909-3303, dinkdpickleball.com
Registration: $50, plus $10 per event; closes October 10. Register at pickleballbrackets.com.
This is the fourth annual Zero Zero Boo Tournament with events that include men’s and women’s doubles and singles as well as mixed doubles, all split into age categories.
October 18-20
Sunshine Slam Pickleball Tournament Times TBD
BridgeMill Racquet and Paddle Club
1180 BridgeMill Ave., Canton, GA 30114 770-720-9635, bmacracquetsports.com
Registration: $55; closes October 11.
Register at pickleballbrackets.com.
A three-day pickleball event that welcomes players at skill levels 2.5 to 4.5+ and age groups from
18+ to 70+. The slam benefits Sunshine Kids Foundation, an organization that provides positive group activities and opportunities for children with cancer.
October 19-20
2024 South Georgia Classic Times TBD
Moultrie YMCA 601 26th Ave. SE, Moultrie, GA 31768
229-985-1154, sunbeltymca.org
Registration: $60 first event; $10 additional events; closes October 13.
Register at pickleballbrackets.com.
The classic features a round robin format. Men’s and women’s mixed doubles events will be held on Saturday, and mixed doubles will take place on Sunday. Proceeds from the tournament benefit Crossroads Ministry for Her, which provides a safe facility for women transitioning to a productive, independent life. provides a safe facility for women transitioning to a productive, independent life.
October 19-20
Bear Claw Pickleball Tournament Times TBD
Murray Recreation Department 745 W. Chestnut St., Chatsworth, GA 30705 706-695-6060, spencer@murraycountychamber.org
Registration: $100 per team; closes October 4.
Register at murraycountychamberga.chambermaster.com. The tournament is played in a mixed doubles format, so teams may consist of two males, two females or one of each.
October 25-27
5th Annual Monster Mash and Bash Pickleball Tournament
Times TBD
House of Pickleball
4 Joseph Hannah Blvd., Newnan, GA 30263
newnanpickleball.com
Registration: $60; closes October 20.
Register at pickleballbrackets.com.
On Friday, the tournament features men’s and women’s doubles 60+ and on Saturday, it will be men’s and women’s doubles. Mixed doubles teams play on Sunday. All medal winners will qualify for the Southern Championships in January 2025.
October 26-27
Woodstock Lions Club Fall Pickleball Jamboree Times TBD
Dupree Park
513 Neese Rd., Woodstock, GA 30188 770-924-9576, woodstockga.gov
Registration: $25 early bird to 8/15, $30 afterwards; closes September 30.
Register at pickleballbrackets.com.
The tournament is open to all levels of players. All proceeds benefit the Woodstock Lions Club’s community service projects.
November 1-3
The Kitchen Open (TKO) Atlanta Amateur Pickleball Tourney ► Times TBD
ITA Atlanta 3110 Presidential Dr.,
Atlanta, GA 30340
470-421-2402, itaatl.com
Registration: $40; closes October 25.
Register at pickleballbrackets.com.
The tournament features a round robin format and open division plays for a winner-takes-all prize of $25,000.
November 1-3
NP Macon Classic Pickleball Tournament
Times TBD
Tattnall Pickleball Center 1155 College St., Macon, GA 31201 478-216-5909, facebook.com/ PickleballInTheSquare
Registration: $80, $15 event fee; closes October 27.
Register at pickleballbrackets.com.
The three-day tournament includes men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles.
2024 Special Pops Charity Pickleball Open
8 a.m.
The Franklin Creek Sports Complex / The Landings 910 Franklin Creek Rd., Savannah, GA 31411 912-598-0500, elisonmeallaster@gmail.com
Registration: $75 with $10 per event, $150 for open challenge; closes October 20. Register at pickleballbrackets.com.
The charity open features men’s, women’s and mixed doubles as well as a Men’s Open Challenge Moneyball event with cash prizes for first, second and third place winners.
November 8
Life Time Fall Classic Tournament at the Peach Times TBD
Life Time — Peachtree Corners 6350 Courtside Dr., Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 770-499-6060, lifetime.life Registration $60; closes November 3. Register at
pickleballtournaments.com.
The tournament is open to members and non-members and takes place at over 80 locations with thousands of players nationwide. Played in a round robin format, it’s an excellent opportunity for players to put their skills to the test while having a ton of fun.
November 8-10
3rd Annual Toys for Tots Pickleball Tournament
Times TBD
BridgeMill Racquet and Paddle Club 1180 BridgeMill Ave., Canton, GA 30114 770-720-9635, bmacracquetsports.com
Registration: $45; closes November 1. Register at pickleballbrackets.com.
This annual charity tournament has added a singles division this year, in addition to the traditional doubles and mixed events. The tourney is open to players with skill levels from 2.5 to 4.5 and in age categories that include 18+, 35+, 50+, 60+ and 70+.
November 15
2024 Georgia State Championships
Friday, 2 p.m. start; Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. starts
Wyomia Tyus Olympic Park 1301 Cowan Rd., Griffin, GA 30223 spaldingcounty.com/activities/ wyomia-tyus-olympic-park Registration $60; closes November 7.
Register at pickleballtournaments.com.
Men’s and women’s singles matches are set for Friday. Men’s and women’s dou-
bles will play on Saturday, and mixed doubles are scheduled for Sunday.
November 22-24
3rd Annual It Takes Guts
Pickleball Tournament
Times TBD
Rome Indoor Tennis Courts
100 Match Point Way NE, Rome, GA 30165 rometenniscenter.com
Registration: $60, additional events $10; closes November 15. Register at pickleballbrackets.com.
This event raises awareness and money for the Gastric Cancer Foundation with Hans Reuffert, a stomach cancer survivor. The tournament includes men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles and mixed doubles competitions.
November 28
Thanksgiving Pop Up Pickleball Tournament
9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Eva G. Lipman Pickleball Complex, MJCCA Zaban Park 5342 Tilly Mill Rd., Dunwoody, GA 30338
678-812-4000, atlantajcc.org
Contact: Rusal Kharel, rusal. kharel@atlantajcc.org.
Registration: $84 community, $60 members.
Register at atlantajcc.org.
The spirit of gratitude meets the thrill of competition. Players age 18+ of all skill levels celebrate while they compete in this welcoming and inclusive round robin format tournament. Between matches, players are invited to enjoy Thanksgiving themed treats with friends new and old.
Over the next five weeks, you’ll have multiple opportunities to earn points and boost your chances of winning one of our five grand prizes. Enter now by scanning the QR Code below and play your way to the top!
SEP28–29
1ST EVENT: $65 ENTRY FEE
2ND EVENT: $50 ENTRY FEE
DOUBLE ELIMINATION TOURNAMENT
1ST PLACE PRIZE: $250 OTHER DIVISIONS 1ST PLACE: $100
UNDER 50 AGE DIVISIONS AND 50+ DIVISIONS
BOTH DAYS
MEN’S, WOMEN’S, AND MIXED UNDER 3.0, 3.5, AND 4.0 AND OPEN DIVISIONS OVER $3K IN PRIZES: ON OPEN DIVISIONS
If you’ve been itching to get into pickleball, but don’t want to be highly competitive about it, USTA has a fun way to ease into it without turning yourself into a modern-day Bobby Riggs.
USTA had been running a social tennis league sponsored by Red Hare Brewing Company for about a decade. StillFire Brewing Co. now sponsors both the tennis and racquetball social leagues for USTA Atlanta.
“It was just aimed at getting beginner tennis players on the court in a laid-back social and flexible atmosphere,” said Chris Canter, USTA community programs coordinator. “Over the past 10 or so years, that has been really successful with getting rackets in hands and getting people excited about the game.”
In the summer of 2022, when USTA decided to add pickleball to its offerings, starting with social league play made sense.
“We kind of mirrored it off our tennis league,” said Canter. “We run the league three times a year: spring, summer and fall.”
Getting the (pickle)ball rolling
The first year saw about 250 players. It has doubled to about 500 in just one year. The teams are made up of men’s, women’s and mixed doubles. They meet on Wednesday nights at about six courts throughout the area.
“They play two out of three sets to 15. If they’re tied at one
Still Fired
The USTA’s Pickleball Partnership with
set each, they play a third set tie-break to 11 points,” said Canter. “Just like in the tennis league, they play men’s doubles first on one court. Then they play women’s doubles and then they play mixed doubles.”
But unlike regulation pickleball, the rules aren’t as serious.
“We have some pretty unique rules like players are allowed to sub in and out each
game,” said Canter. “And each player gets a Mulligan. Any time they mess up a shot or a gain point and they lose the point, each player gets one Mulligan that they get to use.”
This isn’t the U.S. Open after all, it’s an opportunity to learn a new sport, get some exercise, hang out with cool people and enjoy a few adult beverages.
Photos from league play, which are sometimes themed matches, courtesy of USTA Atlanta
Fired Up
with StillFire Brewing Co. Continues
Partnerships make a difference
“We’re always interested in pickleball,” said Aaron Bisges, COO of StillFire Brewing. “During the pandemic, pickleball took a meteoric rise just as an activity for people to get out of the house in their driveways or go to the park and still be socially distant at that time and getting in some activity and some social time.”
So
StillFire read the tea leaves (or maybe hops) and realized that a cool, fun activity would be a great partner for its brand.
raining outside. I never really thought of it becoming something as popular as it is today.” But he did remember having a good time playing pickleball. When Red Hare stopped sponsoring the USTA league a colleague mentioned the opportunity for StillFire.
A social sport
“We thought it was a great opportunity for StillFire to be associated with USTA and get our brand out to all the metro Atlanta social leagues,” said Bisges. “Pickleball is a very social sport. It’s a very fun and approachable sport. Accessibility is very easy. It doesn’t take much more than a driveway and a couple of cheap paddles and a ball.” The court is smaller than tennis but larger than ping pong, so players still get in a pretty good workout that’s not too strenuous.
“Our brewery is a very community-driven social gathering place,” said Bisges. “The two synergies between the brewery and what we try to do as a tap room in an event space lines up perfectly with what pickleball is and what it became.”
“It’s been around for 20 or 30 years,” said Bisges adding that he played it in school more than 20 years ago. “Back then it was more of an activity to play in the gym when it was
Bisges said that he sees a lot of people gather pre- or post-match to enjoy the casual friendships and easy sportsmanship of the games.
There’s even a special beverage called Top Spin Light that
pays homage to pickleball.
“It’s a play on pickleball stuff,” said Bisges adding that it’s gone over well. “We do a special label for those guys.”
Looking ahead
StillFire sees itself remaining partners with USTA far into the future.
“It’s put us in front of a lot of potential customers that maybe otherwise wouldn’t know who we are,” said Bisges. “We have one location currently. It’s in downtown Suwanee.”
There are plans for a second location in Smyrna – on the other side of the metro area.
“The league has helped us get in front of a lot of potential patrons throughout metro Atlanta because we do distribute wholesale beer where people can get it at bars, restaurants, package stores etc.,” he said. “When people have our beer in their hand and on their t-shirts and stuff; when they’re going to the social leagues and becoming familiar with it, that’s helped us capture that audience.”
The new space will break ground this fall with expectations of opening next year.
The partnership with USTA has also given StillFire opportunities to meet with municipalities looking to add more pickleball play.
“We’re looking to help find new locations and courts where people maybe can’t drive all the way to Atlanta,” he said.
Sponsoring concerts and other events is part of doing business, but big sporting events like Braves or Falcons
games are too expensive for small operations.
“As pickleball continues to grow as a sport in general, we’re always looking for good sponsorship opportunities,” said Bisges. “The clientele and the demographics align perfectly with what we do. It would be a no-brainer to be able to eventually do some of these more national or regional tournaments.”
Written by ARLINDA SMITH BROADY
USTA ATLANTA STILLFIRE PICKLEBALL LEAGUE
Fall registration opens Aug. 1
Play is available at the following locations:
• Sandy Springs Tennis Center
• Piedmont Park Pickleball
• Fair Oaks Tennis Center
• ITA (Atlanta)
• Pickle and Social
For more information, visit ustaatlanta.com/stillfirepickleball.
Scan The QR Code for additional information.
PickleballGrit
Podcast is about the business, culture, sport and lifestyle of pickleball.
Good Get’s Dan Lawson Shares His Vision for Pickleball Apparel
Rico Figliolini interviews Dan Lawson, co-founder of Good Get Apparel. Dan shares his journey of discovering pickleball during the pandemic and creating a brand tailored to players’ needs. They discuss the challenges of launching an apparel brand, emphasizing details, fit, fabric, and customer feedback. They highlight strategies for selling at events and leveraging social media influencers. They also note the growth of pickleball facilities and the importance of catering to a diverse demographic.
USA Pickleball’s Mike Nealy Shares Insights on the Sports Growth and the Organization’s Mission
Mike Nealy, CEO of USA Pickleball, shares insights on the sport’s rapid growth and the challenges of managing the national governing body. To keep up with the sport’s rapid growth, USA Pickleball has expanded from a volunteer-run organization to having 35 full-time employees. USA Pickleball aims to support overall development, including expanding its membership base, promoting the sport in schools and youth camps, and developing new membership structures. With host Rico Figliolini
METRO ATLANTA GROWS AS PICKLEBALL “MECCA” WITH ALTA GUIDANCE
Pickleball continues to amaze with its meteoric rise over the last five years. The Wall Street Journal even named it the fastest-growing sport in the country and according to Pickleball Insights, Georgia is among the top 10 states for pickleball enthusiasts.
“It’s been interesting to see that,” said Emmy Powell, Atlanta Lawn and Tennis Association (ALTA) marketing director. “We’re seeing, especially throughout the city of Atlanta and in other outlying areas, that if tennis courts have gone unused, especially in a neighborhood, then you’re seeing these HOAs convert them to pickleball courts and then they’re being used.”
Sharing the courts
There’s a little static among racquet sports. Sometimes there’s an “us vs. them” mentality around court usage.
“There’s definitely a blend of people. There are tennis people that can’t stand the pickleballers and the pickleballers who can’t stand the tennis players,” said Powell adding that there’s a growing faction of those who love both sports.
ALTA hasn’t done research
into why one community keeps up with tennis while others falter but it agrees that using the space for physical activity is a win for everyone. And even though tennis may be waning in other areas, it’s still popular in metro Atlanta. But pickleball has found its footing and spaces designated solely to that sport have eased a lot of tension.
“That’s the plus side that they get used,” said Powell. “I do feel like the clubs and facilities and parks have done a really nice job of maintaining the tennis courts and making them available. So that you’re not always constantly battling with those who are trying to go out and play
pickleball.
“We’re still seeing tennis growth. So, while some may think that tennis participation is on the decline. It’s not with us. We’re still the largest local recreational tennis league in the world,” she explained.
ALTA’s 90th anniversary
“We started as a nonprofit in 1934 and we’re still nonprofit,” said Powell. “We basically run tournaments and that’s why it gets a little confusing because we just had the 50th anniversary to commemorate league play as it is today.”
She said the organization converted to a league system with five lines of doubles.
“We’re a doubles-only league except for the juniors. They do play some singles with the juniors,” she said.
Since its inception, ALTA has added senior leagues of players 55 and older and leagues with different skill levels.
We’re trying not to just take the ALTA model and just plug it into pickleball. We’re evolving...
EMMY POWELL
“During the housing boom of the 70s and 80s, that’s really when ALTA kind of turned the corner,” she said. “ALTA became successful because of all the swim and tennis [facilities] that were being built [in housing developments].”
Others say the popularity of ALTA drove the developers to add tennis courts. But the chick-
en and egg argument shows that the suburban lifestyle called for outdoor recreational opportunities.
“We have people that can tell you stories that they’ve been with their tennis team for decades,” said Powell. “It used to be, you move in, and someone would literally come and knock on your door and ask you to play tennis.”
Back then, it was kind of an offer you couldn’t refuse.
“If you didn’t [sign up], they’d bring you a racquet and pick you up the next day for your match,” Powell said with a chuckle.
that you can be an ex-college player and come in and play at the AA-1 highest level. You could be a beginner and play at the lowest level,” she said. “It’s nice because it’s a team concept. That’s the difference between us and USTA. Players move up and down as a team.”
If a player got much better than the rest of the team in USTA, they’d have to move to another team. Although ALTA offers play in all four seasons, the cold of winter and the heat of summer drive the numbers higher in spring and fall.
“It’s just a little different in the
different sport.
“We’re trying not to just take the ALTA model and just plug it into pickleball,” said Powell. “We’re evolving. We had a very successful summer season of 2023 and we launched with about 4,800 players.”
ALTA also had a winter league that began in January. The summer season for 2024 began in June and wraps up in August.
“It’ll run for seven weeks and then there’ll be city finals after that,” she said. “And this year our pickleball paid membership is 7,840.”
“You’re going to go out and play. It became a culture and so much of a social organization.”
A sport for everyone
Powell said as strong-arm as it may seem from today’s perspective, it brought people together regardless of skill level.
“The nice thing about it is
way it’s done,” she said. “We run 77 different leagues in the spring and in the fall that cover everybody and it’s still just a really busy time.”
Adding pickleball into the mix
Although pickleball has many similarities to tennis, it really is a
As ALTA gets more involved with pickleball, it’s looking to fix some past mistakes – like having league members in closer proximity to each other and the facilities.
“Sometimes you can’t help it because you’ve got certain levels in certain areas,” said Powell.
Coal Mount Park C3 team vs. Sterling on the Lake III C3 team at 2024 ALTA Pickleball Winter City Finals at ITA Atlanta
“That’s kind of the thing that will make stuff not be successful because people do not like to drive more than half an hour if they can help it in it.”
Volunteers make the difference
Although ALTA has a huge number of members, it doesn’t have a lot of paid staff.
“We have five staff members and I’m the only one who’s fulltime,” she said. “Volunteers are the backbone of our organization that’s what makes everything so successful.”
Powell added that volunteers keep costs low.
“You only have to pay $30 for an ALTA membership for the entire year and you could play as many as 14 leagues,” she said. “There have been other smaller organizations in the Atlanta area that have tried to pull off pickleball leagues and they have not succeeded.”
Like just about everyone else involved with pickleball, Powell believes the sport has staying power and right now is just the beginning.
“We just kind of felt like the time was right to offer something else to the members, especially the pickleball players who wanted something a little bit more competitive,” she said. ”Some people think we have a brick-and-mortar building or own a tennis facility. But really what we do is just facilitate league play.”
Pickleballers are a diverse bunch
Tony Hull played Division One tennis in college and then kind of let racquet sports fizzle out of his life.
“I was growing up eating, sleeping, thinking, dreaming of tennis, but as I grew older, I lost interest decades ago,” he said. “I really enjoy basketball, so I let that fill that competitive hole.”
About two years ago, he picked up a tennis racquet and it was like riding a bike. Shortly after that, someone handed him a pickleball paddle and he was hooked.
“It scratched the itch that competitively this old competitor athlete had,” he said. “Besides, it’s less stressful.”
Hull plays at ALTA’s highest level as well as in the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) tour. Even though the tours can be taxing, Hull says pickleball came naturally to him.
“As a general rule of rec play, what most people would enjoy is that anyone can play it. It’s easy to pick up and the rules are easy to learn,” he said. “But just like anything else, when you get to a higher level of player, it gets harder. When you’re in the top 10 players in the world, it’s not easy anymore.”
The joy of pickleball
Rich Austin has played tennis with ALTA for about 35 years.
“When pickleball started about six years ago, I was introduced to it by some of our tennis friends,” he said. “I thought it was a strange name for a game. But I guess if you look at the history. It’s been around since the seventies, I guess it started in Seattle somewhere. And a lot of people remember that they played it indoors at recess when it would rain.”
He said when it started to catch on in Atlanta a few years ago, nobody knew what to expect of it.
“It’s so easy to pick up and it’s so social,” he said. “I tell people on my tennis team that I laugh more in a game of pickleball in five minutes than I do an entire match sometimes in tennis.”
Why? Austin explained that the smaller court makes play less physically taxing. Players are also much closer to their
opponents and it’s easier to converse. And there are often so many great points that he can’t help but comment and cheer everyone on.
“And most of the time you end up rotating partners unless you’re playing a tournament,” he added.
He says that many players joke around, and they don’t realize how much exercise they’ve gotten until they check their steps.
“My son gave me a Garmin watch that counted my steps. I found out that I take more steps in pickleball than I do in tennis,” he said. “I feel as though I get as good of a workout as I do with tennis.”
Even though he’s not a coach, Austin said he believes it doesn’t matter if you take up tennis first or pickleball.
“Each sport helps condition you for the other,” he said.
A love for the game
Bebhinn “BB” McMichael grew up playing volleyball, but about six years ago, she was at her best friend’s aunt’s birthday party and a pickleball game broke out. Even though she had no idea what the game was, she went along.
“They had two really nice courts in her neighborhood, so she had been playing for a while,” said McMichael. “We all went over there and started playing and we were hooked.”
That turned into nearly weekly play – depending upon everyone’s schedule.
“The more you play, you start getting into the fine details and the techniques and the skills,” she said. “At first you’re just hitting the ball hard trying to win.”
As she grew with pickleball, McMichael wanted to learn more.
“I started meeting more people and going to different courts. I kind of realized that
there’s more to the sport, like the thinking about the drops, the strategy,” she said. “I didn’t know how to get better at that point, but I knew I wanted to.”
A few years ago, shemet Mark Price at a charity tournament and was invited to watch him play.
“As I watched them play, I was like a kid in the candy store. I was like, ‘Oh, that’s what I want to be able to do,’” she said. “I wanted to learn to play like them and they were kind enough to invite me to play a few games with them. And honestly, I’ve never played so well in my life.”
McMichael ended up enrolling in Price’s camp and signed up for private lessons.
“It was so exciting. I played really well and that was the start of my journey to be better,” she said.
McMichael got her certification as an instructor in December.
“I’ve been coaching a little bit for about a year and a half now. I started out doing it for free just helping people, friends of friends,” she said. “I’ve gotten better too. So, it’s been kind of a win-win. I teach classes, I do lessons and I also work at a pickleball club in Roswell.”
To learn more visit altatennis.org.
Written by ARLINDA SMITH BROADY
Top down, 2024 ALTA Pickleball Winter City Champions - Traditions of Bradenton C5 ALTA pickleball team - Fred Papuga, captain 2024 ALTA Pickleball Winter City Champions - Coal Mountain Park C3 ALTA pickleball team - Ratkeesh Kumar, captain 2024 ALTA Pickleball Winter City Champions -Sterling on the Lake III C1 ALTA pickleball team - Jason Demars, captain
Photos by Laura Barnard
Tip & Strategies
Master your game with tips and strategies from top coaches and seasoned players.
Lionel Ortiz
Lionel Ortiz is 32 years old, a chiropractor with a degree from Life University and from the island of Puerto Rico. He has been
playing pickleball for two years, but this summer marks his oneyear anniversary as the manager and head coach for the Atlanta Pickleball Center.
As the head coach, his job is to instruct all the private lessons and build future plans to create advanced courses and classes for groups. He has always
played sports for as long as he can remember.
Ortiz initially got involved with pickleball while working in a chiropractic office when one of their patients started talking about the game. Being an athlete his whole life, he immediately got curious about the sport and decided to look for more information after watching some YouTube videos.
His first lesson was at Sandy Springs Tennis Center, where he took a class for beginners to learn the rules and how to play the game. He fell in love with pickleball immediately and knew this was something he was missing in his life.
Since that day, he started to play as much as possible. It wasn’t until he found the Atlanta Pickleball Center and met his now dear friend Danny Wuerfell (former Heisman Trophy winner) that he looked at pickleball beyond just a simple game.
Together, they played around four to five times a week, studying pickleball and asking themselves what the best way to play it was and how they could improve as quickly as possible.
After that, he had the opportunity to get a job at the Atlanta Pickleball Center as manager and head coach. Now, his life has been pickleball 24/7.
Ortiz’s pickleball philosophy is an easy one: anyone can play the game, everyone can have fun, and it’s not a sport where your anatomy can hold you back from having fun or being good
Lionel Ortiz (right) with Pro pickleball player Zane Navratil
Pickleball is truly a game of skill, and his job as a coach is to identify your strengths and weaknesses and teach you the knowledge, he has acquired through drills based on your level and personal goals. One of the most rewarding things about coaching for him is seeing players smile or get surprised when they acquire a new skill that changes their mentality about the game and the way they play.
Some common mistakes that beginner players make are not ensuring their technique and form are proper from the beginning, such as having the correct holding grip and proper form for forehand and backhand drives.
One of the most difficult things he has encountered with students is correcting bad habits that were not properly addressed when they were beginning to play the sport, making it very difficult to change them later.
Additionally, beginners often avoid the slower game, like dinks and drop shots, and focus only on hitting the ball hard. Getting comfortable with a shot like the dink helps players learn control and patience, improving their skill level significantly against other beginners.
Gear will never be the reason you’re not improving or winning games, said Ortiz. Although some paddles are better than others, today’s market offers a significant number of great paddles. He recommends talking with people, especially coaches, and asking for their opinion when getting a new paddle. If possible, try the paddle to see how it feels. He recommends feeling and trying on a paddle to test its weight and the shape of the grip.
But most of all, have fun while playing the game, he added. Appreciate the good plays, learn and adjust from the bad ones, enjoy meeting new people, create new connections and most of all, keep learning and growing as a person and player while playing pickleball.
Follow Lionel on Instagram at @dr.lionel.dc
Jim Carella
Jim Carella saw pickleball as a natural progression, having been a tennis professional for over 40 years in the Atlanta area. He saw the game of pickleball as a way to extend his teaching career, and besides, he loves the game because it’s flat out fun.
Carella‘s pickleball philosophy is very similar to how he teaches the game of tennis: it’s for fun, fitness and socialization — a game that can be played for a lifetime.
He points out that most beginners often try to hit the ball hard all the time from every spot on the court. Speeding up shots from the transition zone and non-volley line (kitchen) often result in a pop-up, which in turn results in getting a ball smashed at you. Taking lessons can help develop the softer shots of the game.
Carella believes
equipment does not make the player. He advises not to be fooled into getting an expensive paddle thinking it will improve your game; only practice and lessons will make you a better player. Your first paddle should be a starter paddle, and he recommends not spending over $100.
If you are just starting out with pickleball, Carella says aim for the middle of the court. It’s the lowest part of the net and the safest part of the court, providing the greatest safety margin. Pickleball is no different from any other sport: fewer errors result in greater satisfaction and more success.
Follow Jim on Instagram at @jimbopickleball
Jim Carella, Director of Pickleball, Sugarloaf Country Club PGA Tour TPC
David Epstein
David Epstein has been playing Pickleball since 2019. He was a tennis player and coach at the time, and it was an easy transition for him. He fell in love with the sport quickly and soon was playing every day. He started at Chosewood Park and Grant Park in At-
lanta, where they had to make their lines and bring their own nets to the tennis courts in order to play. Now, he mainly plays and teaches at Atlanta Pickleball Center and Agape Academy at DeKalb Tennis Center.
Epstein and his group have been trying for years to get the city of Atlanta to create courts, but this has been a very steep uphill battle. The city of Atlanta is very slow, and the people in charge have been hesitant.
As soon as Epstein started
David Epstein
playing with friends, he picked it up quickly due to his tennis background, and his teaching background made it an easy transition to help others learn the game.
Epstein’s philosophy for the game has remained pretty constant: Low middle, low middle, low middle.
He believes some of the biggest mistakes made by players are overhitting and going for angles, especially former tennis players. It is very difficult to hit the ball hard and low at the same time. Players must learn control and go for correct placement before just smashing the ball. Keeping the ball in play and letting the opponent make the mistake is key.
Regarding equipment, Epstein does not have too much to say. There are many paddle companies out there, but most of the paddles are pretty much the same. Beginners can start with paddles that cost under $100. As they develop their game and are looking for more control, they will want to find a paddle that fits their game and can find a very nice paddle for $150.
His greatest piece of advice? Aim for the opposing players’ feet. Soft shots to the feet win points, and you are less likely to hit the ball out of bounds. Another piece of advice is to make sure the middle of the court is covered. It is the cross-court player’s responsibility to cover the middle.
Follow David on Instagram at @atlantacontactpoint
Kyle Burcher
In 2021, Kyle Burcher decided to explore new hobbies and tried out an intro to pickleball class. He has been hooked ever since.
Burcher began playing pickleball at Hammond Park in Sandy Springs and quickly advanced in the sport. He is now a Professional Pickle-
ball Registry (PPR) Certified Professional with a 5.0+ DUPR Singles and Doubles Rating. Burcher currently serves as a teaching pro at Lifetime Pickleball and is a Sigma Pickleball Athlete. He is passionate about promoting pickleball to all ages and skill levels. His pickleball philosophy focuses on developing strong fundamental skills while adapting to each player’s unique strengths and weaknesses. He believes in the educate, demonstrate and imitate method of
coaching. Education focuses on the why, when and how of a shot, demonstration shows the precise technique and imitation allows players to perfect the shot through practice.
Like other coaches, Burcher said a common mistake beginners make is trying to drive and hit the ball too hard, resulting in inconsistent shots. He advises beginners to focus on controlling the ball’s pace and accuracy rather than hitting it as hard as possible.
For equipment, Burcher recommends mid-weight paddles (around 8.0 oz) with a width of 14mm to 16mm for beginners, while intermediate and advanced players might prefer thermoformed paddles with different shapes and surfaces.
Handle length is also crucial, with players who use two-handed backhands likely needing a handle longer than 5.5 inches.
For those looking to customize their paddle further, Burcher said to try using over grips and consider the application of lead or tungsten tape to adjust the paddle’s swing characteristics. His favorite piece of advice is simple yet profound: “If you want to play, then play. If you want to get better, then drill.”
You can follow Burcher’s pickleball journey at @kyle.burcher.pb.
Compiled and edited by ANNA DEL VILLAR
Kyle Burcher
Atlanta’s Painted Pickle
The Painted Pickle, located right down the street from SweetWater Brewing Company in Buckhead is Atlanta’s newest, and only, pickleball “compeatery” in the city. According to its website, the Painted Pickle is “a place to compete, eat, drink, and be social.”
Recently I had the chance to visit the Painted Pickle to see for myself what all the hype is about. And boy…am I glad I did. When I first entered the Painted Pickle after leaving my car with the valet (street parking is available too), I was greeted by the sounds of paddle whacks, cheers, and squeaking sneakers. But what I didn’t expect to find was the stunning bar off to the left of the entrance and mouth-watering aromas coming from the kitchen.
“We were confident that this was going to be the next winning formula for our company, and it’s been a tremendous start. It’s been absolutely packed,” said Owner and CEO of Painted Hospitality Justin Amick.
If that name sounds familiar, it’s because Amick and his team of hospitality experts are also behind the tremendously popular social venues, the Painted Pin and the Painted Duck.
In fact, Amick has been in the food and beverage industry nearly all of his life.
From Wall Street to restaurants
“I’m a second-generation restaurateur. Born and raised, a rare, true (404) Atlantan. I was raised in Midtown but grew up in the restaurant industry. My father owned the nationally acclaimed Peasant Restaurant Group in the ‘80s and ‘90s. He also started Concentrics Restaurant Group in the early 2000s,” Amick explained.
But Amick didn’t initially intend to take over the family business. He wanted to be an NBA star. He played collegiate basketball at Tulane University in New Orleans but realized he didn’t have a professional career ahead of him. Yet, being in one of the largest culinary and hospitality cities in the country, Amick re-fell in love with the
industry.
“I moved to New York City with my then-girlfriend, who’s now my wife, we met at Tulane, but we moved up to New York City with a bunch of our friends, and it only took me about three months in a corporate job on Wall Street, to realize that I was not made to be in the corporate realm,” he confessed.
“I decided that I wanted to follow in my father’s footsteps and learn the restaurant industry, which was perfect for me. Coming from a team-oriented sports background, it’s the ultimate team-oriented industry,” he said.
Culinary street cred Amick has an impressive pedigree in the restaurant business. He got a job with famous chef and restaurateur Tom Colicchio, who at the time, owned Gramercy Tavern and Craft Restaurant. During Amick’s tenure, Craft won the James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant. The James Breard Awards are basically the Oscars for restaurants.
“My father and I wanted me to work and learn the ropes from somebody else besides his company. I worked every position you can think of in the front and back of the house. I was a reservationist, I was a kitchen prep, a dishwasher, a server assistant, a host, a maître
Justin Amick and William Stallworth
Pickle Scores Big on Fun
d’, a front waiter, a captain, a bartender, all the way to management trainee,” he recalled.
Amick also has extensive professional experience as an advanced sommelier.
“I really fell in love with the wine and beverage side of things, and it piqued my interest to go through a lot of the different wine accreditations that were out there in the U.S. I worked my way up in the wine industry, and eventually, became an advanced sommelier through
the Court of Master Sommeliers,” he said.
After holding a range of management positions for the likes of chef Richard Blais, Two Urban Licks, and Parish Foods and Goods, Amick decided to venture out on his own.
A winning combination
With his now business partner, William Stallworth, Amick decided to bring something new to the entertainment and restaurant markets in Atlanta.
“By combining my competitive
Chef Tommy Colicchio
Painted Pickle, a pickleball social club in Atlanta, GA
athletic background, with my beverage-focused operational interests … we saw a hole in the market in Atlanta for alternative forms of entertainment, and we came up with the Painted Pin in 2014, which we call an upscale boutique bar, bowling and entertainment venue. We kind of hit the ground running there in 2014, and never looked back,” he recounted.
Both the Painted Pin and Painted Duck combine amazing food and beverage selections, and beautiful warehouse aesthetics, with different gaming offerings, and two different bowling variations. Now, the same concept has been applied to the Painted Pickle.
For all your pickleball needs
While I was perusing Painted Pickle’s eight pristine, Wimbledon-inspired indoor courts (and making a stop or two at the second bar area), I ran into the venue’s Athletic Director Iván Vizcaya. An Atlanta native, Vizcaya spent the last several years in Austin doing software consulting. After getting laid off, he returned home and decided to put his pickleball experience to good use.
“I just wanted a little side hustle, maybe give some pickleball lessons because I was playing a lot of tournaments and giving lessons in Austin,” he said.
Looking for a little side hustle quickly turned into a full-time position running the pickleball facilities and overseeing the venue’s pickleball programs and events.
Bottom two,
has eight indoors courts and a signature outdoor court.
Top left, (from left) Moses Das, Matt Holliday, Brien Lee, Iván Vizcaya
Painted Pickle
Right, Iván Vizcaya
“I think what’s special about this place is we really emphasize having fun and having a good time and not trying to be too stressed out about the actual sporting part of pickleball. I would say other places are more facilities for athletics and this is more of an entertainment venue that has pickleball as one of the main draws. We encourage people of all levels and demographics to come, like little kids, the elderly. Brand new players as well as professional players all play here, and they all treat it the exact same way,” he explained.
Vizcaya invited me to watch a high-level match he was playing later with some local pickleball influencers, Moses Das (@mosesdas) and Dr. Brien Lee (@thehealthypickleballer) as well as Matt Holliday. Yes, 2011 St. Louis Cardinals World Series Champion Matt Holliday. Little does he know my mom’s family is from Afton, Missouri. I’ve watched the Cards all my life and I was super pumped to catch the match.
But first, it was brunchtime.
The restaurant side of things
Not only does the Painted Pickle serve brunch on the weekends, but they also have a full menu of small plates, sandwiches, salads and a full-blown sushi bar. The kitchen staff was clean, efficient and gracious. They even let me step back behind the counter and grab a few pictures.
I ordered the egg sandwich, a breakfast burrito and (my personal favorite) a Pimm’s
cup. The delicious gingery-ness of my drink paired very nicely with the simple but incredibly tasty breakfast staples.
One of the more innovative ways the Painted Pickle is creating smoother customer experiences is by syncing its point of sales together across the entire venue. Patrons can order food and drinks from either side of the facility and settle up their tab before heading out. I didn’t have to whip out the credit card four or five different times or sign a handful of receipts and it made a difference. The bartender agreed with me and said it made things a lot easier for her too.
I realized at that moment how Amick’s extensive experience in fine dining and restaurant operations permeated the whole venue, down to the littlest detail.
“We really understand design restaurant and hospitality design, and energy and synergy, and food and beverage and gaming, and how all of those different revenue streams flow
off of one another,” Amick said.
“I think a lot of people getting into the pickleball game these days are more like pickleball clubs. They’re member-focused gyms with pickleball focuses, which is great. I love to enjoy those sorts of concepts, as well. But I feel like our approach is very unique, because we’ve got 32,500 square feet, and only half of that amount of space is actually dedicated to pickleball,” he added.
Filling a gap in the market
Unique is how I would describe the Painted Pickleball too. I budgeted two hours for the duration of my trip and before I even realized it, nearly five hours had passed. While I wasn’t able to get on the court myself (they were all taken), I played ping-pong, shuffleboard and practiced my short game. Yep, the Painted Pickle has a putting green inside the restaurant.
“I think people appreciate our optics and our spin on bringing pickleball into the mainstream because we do differ so much than what people have probably seen in other markets, because they are really more member-focused amenities, like gym memberships, and those concepts aren’t really food and beverage outlets,” said Amick.
“They might have some snacks, or even maybe a juice bar or something like that, but there’s not this full-encompassing experience with the attention to detail, the level of the high-end build-out, and the quality of the overall food and beverage offerings, with the level of customer service and hos-
pitality. That is what we’ve built our brand on,” he elaborated.
Reporter turned spectator I rushed back to the courts just in time to catch Vizcaya’s match. And wow, these guys were jammin’. No lobs here ladies and gentlemen. Both teams, (Vizcaya and Holliday on one side, Das and Lee on the other) were playing at an incredibly high level.
Vizcaya’s aggressive serves were met with equally powerful returns from Das and Lee. Holliday was a formidable presence at the net standing at 6’4. For such a muscular player, he was light on his feet and displayed a tremendous amount of finesse and feel for the ball.
One particularly memorable point was an intense rally that pushed players up and back through the court. In a scramble, Lee’s return landed short in the no-volley zone and sat up high for Vizcaya to pounce on. He launched a winner straight up the middle to finish off the point.
After the match was over, it was time to head out. Sitting in the car on the way home, I started to write this article in my mind as I reflected on my entire experience. And what I determined was, the Painted Pickle is a straight-up fun time all around. I haven’t come across anything like it so far and I encourage all you pickleball fans out there to give this “compeatery” a try.
For more information or to make your court reservations, visit paintedpickle.com.
Written By ANNA DEL VILLAR
Left, some highlighted food and drink offerings, courtesy of Painted Pickle
PICKLEBALL PARADISE OPENS AT ATLANTA’S MJCCA
With the explosive growth of pickleball in the last decade, it’s no wonder that one of the favorite community centers in the area recently unveiled a 2,000-square-foot pickleballers’ paradise. The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta (MJCCA) opened The Eva G. Lipman Pickleball Complex for play on Wednesday, June 26. People were lined up with paddles in hand waiting to get a crack at the top-line setup.
The complex has 12 pickleball courts. Eight are covered for all-weather play and all of them have individual fencing to help keep the action contained to each court.
There is also the Cadranel’s Corner, an outdoor café serving up food, drinks and a wellstocked bar for the enjoyment of players and spectators alike. The patio setting has adjustable screens to allow access to viewing of play. They can be raised in fair weather and lowered when it’s rainy or too sunny. There’s also a large viewing area with multiple
large-screen TVs.
Adjacent to the pickleball complex is the Zaban Family Sports Pavilion. It’s a massive covered multi-sport court that adapts to multiple types of games for all sports enthusiasts.
Why pickleball?
“Pickleball to us is more than just a sport,” said MJCCA CEO Jared Powers. “I think we were attracted to it by the social component and being able to bring the community together. What we love most about pickleball is that a grandparent
Covered outdoor pickleball courts at MJCCA
Photos courtesy of MJCCA
can play with their grandchild and that beginners can learn very quickly.”
Before the new complex opened, there were about nine pickleball courts. They did double-duty with basketball and tennis, but demand became so high that the community center administration decided it was time to jump on the bandwagon.
“There’s not a lot of great options around here for an elevated experience,” said Powers. “Now we’re able to provide a dedicated pickleball court covered with shade and fences in between each pickleball court to stop balls from going in between, which is pretty annoying. If you’re playing in a gym or on a tennis court, there’s balls always traveling between courts.”
Perhaps the best feature is the covering over most of the courts.
“We had a couple of people test it out for us [before it opened to the public] when it was 95 degrees outside,” said Powers. “When you’re under the cover and the social space overlooking it, it’s probably 15 degrees cooler, which was a huge selling point for our folks.”
The Georgia sun can be unmerciful – even in fall and spring.
“We think the covered courts and social space are going to be game changers for us,” he added.
“When you drive into the center’s main gate, the sign on the marquee says, ‘All are welcome.’
“We are a true community center,” said Powers. “We are the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta. We welcome everybody. We have a lot of non-Jewish members from
Trends show that the sport is gaining popularity with younger audiences also,” said Powers. “We do have a lot of adults playing with their kids and with their grandkids...
Jared Powers
Dunwoody, Sandy Springs and more. We truly are an inclusive environment.”
Joining in the action is simple
“You can come in and get a tour and we serve the community from ages 0 to 100,” said Powers. “You can start at preschool. On this 50-acre campus, we have a huge day camp. We have sports leagues throughout the year, after-school programs, learning opportunities, art performances, three outdoor pools, one indoor pool, a fitness center that’s about to get renovated and plenty of parking.”
Newcomers are invited to check out the facilities with a free trial week to see if it’s a good fit.
For tennis, MJCCA is affiliated with USTA. But it’s involved with ALTA (Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association) for pickleball.
“We’re going to be expanding [the pickleball] program [now that] the new facility [has launched],” said David Fried, MJCCA chief program director.
“We’ll be offering more teams.”
Besides the new complex, MJCCA will have a dedicated social programming and competitive programming component just for pickleball.
“We have open play each day for our members to come in that don’t necessarily have a partner,” said Fried. “We’re open for reservations for our JCC members. We’re going to have social mixers in the evenings and the mornings. We’re going to offer pretty much the whole gamut for competitive people, recreational beginners, advanced players and everyone in between.”
A major investment
“We’ve been watching the pick-up in our market for quite some time,” said Powers. “We were one of the first people to do it in 2009 and 2010 by converting basketball courts and tennis courts. And we have seen not only the staying power over the past 15 years, but we’ve seen the explosive growth.”
Like just about everyone who’s been watching the rise of pickleball, Powers and Fried don’t believe it’s a passing fad.
“We believe this is permanent. We believe it’s still in the growth stages,” said Powers. “We also believe this is here to stay.”
“Trends show that the sport is gaining popularity with younger audiences also,” said Powers. “We do have a lot of adults playing with their kids and with their grandkids. We did sell out a pickleball summer camp for one week later in the summer. It is getting a little bit younger, and more and more people are just becoming more involved.”
Future plans for MJCCA Pickleball pro Michael Andrews is one of the young people who’ve gravitated to the sport. He played tennis competitively and then a few years took up pickleball. He’s been a camper at MJCCA and when they needed someone for pickleball, he fit the bill. He’ll oversee the team play that’s set to begin on Aug. 11.
“We’ll have mixers clinics, youth play after school and high school players, he said. “Right now, we’re just trying to get as many people into the facility as possible.”
MJCCA has already had organizers such as Southern Pickle Ball inquiring about the facility hosting some tournaments.
“We’re trying to open this place up to corporate and rental spaces because they can be here watching TV, eating, playing, sponsoring tournaments, corporate events and fundraisers,” said Fried adding that with all that’s going on at MJCCA, the membership rate starting at $40month for young adults is a bargain.
The Eva G. Lipman Pickleball Complex offers three open-play sessions daily. There are designated courts for beginners, intermediate and advanced players. Learn more at atlantajcc.org/pickleball.
Written by ARLINDA SMITH BROADY
Intensity on the Court ATL Picklebrawl Tournament Highlights
The ATL Picklebrawl tournament brings together the area’s most passionate pickleball players for a showcase of skill, strategy, and spirited competition. From powerful serves to game-winning smashes, every match captures the energy and excitement that makes pickleball the fastest-growing sport in America. This twopage spread highlights the best moments from a recent tournament, featuring players of all levels giving their all on the court.
by George Hunter
Scan The QR Code for additional information.
Photography
1st Place Jean Lee/Alan Jin (3.5.-40)
Place Chris Lu/Youngju Cho (3.0-3.5)
Place
Place Rachel Noh/James Vo (3.5 -4.0)
Left, Jean Lee/ Chanel Kim
3.5-4.0
Meeting up with friends for weekly games of pickleball on a neighborhood
court is a great way to exercise, socialize and enjoy the sport. But what if you could take your game on the road for a long weekend of leisure and fun without having to venture too far from home?
Pickleball getaways have become the latest trend in activity-related vacations thanks to the growing popularity of the sport. And, with summer coming to an end and cooler temperatures on the way, there’s no better time to get out and explore new destinations and experience the thrill of playing at some of the Southeast’s premiere facilities.
Whether you’re a seasoned player or just discovering the joy of the game, the five pickleball-friendly destinations below promise unforgettable experiences that serve up both adventure and fun — set against gorgeous mountain, city, lake and beachside backdrops. Best of all, each destination is within
a five-hour drive from Atlanta, making for a perfect weekend road trip.
Hilton Head Island, SC
Five Southeast Destinations for a Perfect Pickleball Vacation WeekendGetaways
The farthest of the five destinations from Atlanta, but definitely worth the trip, Hilton Head is a lovely, lowcountry beach town with plenty to see and do. Renowned for its golf courses, upscale resorts, and family-friendly atmosphere, it is also now a hotspot for pickleball. There are currently 90 public and private pickleball courts on the island, offering singles and doubles play, lessons, and clinics to both residents and vacationers.
The Pickleball Center at the Palmetto Dunes Resort, in particular, attracts players with 24 dedicated courts, a pro shop, and one of the most comprehensive instructional programs on the east coast. Guests can participate in early-morning round robin play, sign up for
a three-day Nike Pickleball Camp with legendary player, Sarah Ansboury, or register to participate in (or spectate) the 2024 MHA Mental Wellness Matters Tournament, which will be held September 28–29. The tournament is open to players at all levels from 2.5 to 4.5+ with an open/all-age bracket as well as 50+. They also offer a Pickleball Stay & Play package featuring three nights at the resort, bike rentals and two hours of court time per day.
South Beach Racquet Club is another popular pickleball center on the island, offering all-level drills and clinics, round robin play, equipment rental and more. Located on the southern end of Hilton Head, steps away from the world-famous Salty Dog Cafe, the club is open daily with 20 Har-Tru
surface courts for guests to enjoy.
Off the courts, vacationers can round out their getaway by enjoying Hilton Head’s many high-end resort amenities and restaurants, playing on the beach or exploring the island’s historic sites on foot or bike.
Rates for villa accommodations at Palmetto Dunes start at $460+tax per night and include access to all resort amenities. Court fees at South Beach Racquet Club range from $20–$30.
From Atlanta: 280 miles
More information: southbeachpickleballclub.com
Chateau Elan Winery & Resort in Braselton, GA
Nestled in the rolling hills just north of metro Atlanta, Chateau Elan Resort offers a European-inspired retreat with lush vineyards, elegant fountains and charming gardens. The 16th-century-style architecture sets the stage for activities such as tennis, golf, fine dining, wine tasting and of course, pickleball.
Palmetto Dunes Resort, with 24 dedicated courts
The resort features a Stan Smith-designed Tennis Center with three hard courts, two clay courts and four lighted pickleball courts. The Tennis Pro-Shop, open Friday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., provides top-notch gear, re-stringing services and demo racket rentals.
Alejandro Aguirre, the Director of Racquets, brings over 15 years of experience in teaching tennis and pickleball. Originally from Venezuela, he was a top-ranked junior player both in his home country and Texas. Aguirre’s coaching methods and certifications as an ATP Professional Tennis Coach, USPTA and PPR enhance the player experience at Chateau Elan.
From September 6-8, 2024, the resort will host a “Pickleball and Wine Weekend” with the Cliff Drysdale Team. This event includes 9 hours of pickleball instruction and play, a private wine tour and tasting and two nights of accommodation at the Chateau Elan Inn Designed for all skill levels, the
play on Saturday morning, followed by a private wine tour in the evening. Sunday wraps up with another instructional clinic before check-out. The camp package also includes luxurious accommodations, unlimited court time, a Cliff Drysdale gift and access to all resort amenities, with optional spa services
and golf available.
Rates for the 2024 weekend start at $1132+tax per person. Distance from Atlanta: 46 miles
More information: chateauelan.com/activities/ tennis experiencecdt.com/wine-pickleball-weekend
Ritz-Carlton Reynolds at Lake Oconee, GA
The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds at Lake Oconee, east of Atlanta, offers visitors a serene lakeside retreat with a mix of nature and upscale amenities. Guests can explore five championship golf courses, enjoy fishing or boating on Lake Oconee, relax at the spa or dine by the water. The resort caters to families, golfers and couples looking for a peaceful getaway.
Visitors at The Ritz-Carlton can also play pickleball in the
Longer Park. The sport’s popularity was evident at the club’s Pickleball Open House, which drew over 200 members, and through various pickleball programs and camps.
To support this interest, Reynolds has expanded its pickleball facilities and programs. Coach Mark Price recently held a three-day Signature Pickle Camp for members, focusing on skill development and gameplay. And Drew Hebert, the new Head Pickleball Professional, brings his expertise and certification from the USA Pickleball Association to Reynolds’ players.
Rates for accommodations at the resort start at $563+tax per night and include access to all of the property’s amenities.
Distance from Atlanta: 84 miles
More information: ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/ahnrzthe-ritz-carlton-reynolds-lakeoconee/experiences/ reynoldslakeoconee.com/life/ wellness
Linger
Macon, GA
Located in the heart of middle-Georgia, about two-hours south of Atlanta, Macon may be best known for its soulful musical heritage and revitalized downtown district. But the city has also embraced the sport of pickleball in recent years and now boasts dozens of top-notch courts and dedicated pickleball facilities.
Considered one of the premiere facilities in the state, Macon’s Tattnall Square Pickleball Center boasts 26 dedicated courts and is just blocks away from some of the city’s best downtown restaurants,
breweries and hotels. Tattnall is open daily for regular play, offers classes and workshops and will also host the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association (GRPA) State Pickleball Championships September 13–15. The tournament is open to any Georgia players who want to participate or any pickleball enthusiasts who want
to come and cheer the players on. The schedule for this year’s event will feature Singles play on Friday, Men’s and Women’s Doubles on Saturday and Mixed Doubles on Sunday.
Just west of downtown, the recently opened Rhythm & Rally Sports & Events features 32 indoor, climate-controlled courts (perfect for hot Georgia
Ritz-Carlton Reynolds at Lake Oconee
Rhythm and Rally Sports and Events Facility.
Photo courtesy of Visit Macon.
summers) as well as lockers and showers. Located at the Macon Mall, Rhythm and Rally is the largest indoor pickleball facility in the world. Open daily from 8 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 p.m. on Sundays, they offer everything from open match play to classes and clinics, beginner drills and tournament events.
Visitors looking to explore this southern city between games will find a variety of hotels in and around the downtown area to choose from.
Hotel Forty Five, the historic 1842 Inn, and The Woodward Hotel are just a few that offer a mix of high-end amenities and unique local experiences, making them great options for a pickleball-themed weekend trip.
Hotel rates start at $140 per night. Court fees range from $2–$5. The registration fee for the GRPA State Championships
is $20–$30 per player and can be made online at https://pickleballtournaments.com/tournaments/2024-grpa-state-pickleball-championships
Distance from Atlanta: 84 miles
More information: maconpickleball.org rhythmandrally.com
Chattanooga,TN
Set along the Tennessee River about two hours northwest of Atlanta, Chattanooga is a bustling, family-friendly southern city featuring a vibrant downtown area, world-class waterfront aquarium, renowned museums and restaurants and dozens of outdoor adventures to choose from. Consistently ranked one of the “Best U.S. Vacation Destinations,” the city can also add pickleball to its list of attractions.
There are currently over two dozen indoor and outdoor pickleball courts throughout
Rhythm and Rally Sports and Events Facility.
Photo courtesy of Visit Macon.
the city found at local parks, community centers and even one at Five Wits Brewing Co. The CSL (Chattanooga Sports League) organization also arranges adult co-ed solo, team and corporate league play and tournaments at two in-town locations.
Revolve Pickleball in nearby Cleveland offers 13 dedicat-
ed indoor courts, a players lounge, and showers. Open daily for members and visitors, with cushioned courts for less impact on joints, they’re the largest indoor pickleball facility in Tennessee. Red Bank City Park with six outdoor courts, the Hixson Community Center with four indoor courts and the recently renovated Ben Miller Park with one dedicated pickleball court are other popular places to meet up and play.
Many of the public and community center pickleball courts are free and available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Others, such as the eight courts at First Horizon Pavilion and the five (including one ADA court) at Batter’s Place Pickleball Complex may charge a small per-hour fee for players, but reservations can be made in advance.
For a real taste of the city, book a stay at one of Chatta-
nooga’s excellent downtown or riverside hotels. There, from the heart of the action, you’ll be able to easily access local parks and pickleball facilities and explore more of what makes the city such a great vacation destination.
Hotel rates in downtown Chattanooga start at $100+ tax per person. Court fees range from free to $15 per hour.
Distance from Atlanta: 117 miles
More information: chattanooga.gov/parks/recreation/tennis-pickleball-courts playcsl.com/sport/Pickleball finleystadium.com/plan-yourevent/pickleball-court-reservation
Written by SHAWNE TAYLOR
The Revolve Pickleball Center
Photo by Five Wits Brewing Co.
