Amateurs and professionals representing four countries and 20 states are registered to play in the event that will be held December 12-15 at PGA Village Verano in Port St. Lucie, Fla., with professional-division players competing for $15,000 in prize money. The Treasure Coast Sports Commission estimates the event will have an economic impact of over $300,000.
The World Pickleball Open (WPO) is making its inaugural debut from December 12-15 at PGA Village Verano in Port St. Lucie, Fla.
Nearly 300 amateurs and professionals representing four countries and 20 states are registered to play, with the professional division players competing for approximately $15,000 in prize money. Matches will begin at 8:30 a.m. each day, and admission is free for all tournament spectators.
The event is being held at Kolter Homes’ brand-new PGA Village Verano Pickleball Center, which opened in November. With 26 pickleball courts plus a championship-court for tournaments, multiple viewing areas with seating, and an event lawn with a pavilion area, the facility is estimated to be the largest private pickleball center in South Florida.
The tournament will be easily accessible from the Palm Beaches, Treasure Coast and Central Florida, and the Treasure Coast Sports Commission estimates that the event will bring over $300,000 in economic activity to the area.
Players International Management, Inc. (PIM), organizers of the YellowTennisBall.com Series of over 30 state, national and international United States Tennis Association and International Tennis Federation events, is the event organizer. PIM has hit the top end of its goal for the Pickleball Open’s first year—to bring together a field of from 200 to 300 professional and amateur players competing in over 20 divisions, including Men’s, Women’s and Mixed Doubles events—further attesting to pickleball’s status as the fastest-growing sport in America.
“With nearly 300 competitors, we are thrilled by the tremendous interest and support received for the inaugural World Pickleball Open and we are excited to host this event,” said John Manrique, Vice President of Marketing for Kolter Homes. “Pickleball has become an integral part of our communities across the Southeast, and as the home to the largest private Pickleball Center in South Florida, the team at PGA Village Verano is honored to welcome players and fans of the sport to enjoy a fun, entertaining tournament.”
For more information on the event, visit WorldPickleballOpen.com
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