Barefoot Bulletin May 2023 | Page 14

PHOTOS FROM USOPC 2023 Photos credit : Photo by Bruce Yeung ; IG : @ yeungphotography

Minto became title sponsor of the inaugural USOPC in 2016 and has served as title sponsor since . In 2017 , Margaritaville joined Minto in supporting the fast growing USOPC , and the annual event now is billed as the Minto US Open Pickleball Championships Powered by Margaritaville .

The USOPC takes place every spring at the East Naples Community Park in state-of-theart facilities that include 64 courts surrounding the covered Zing Zang Championship Court . Not only has the USOPC rapidly grown to be the most prestigious and largest pickleball tournament in the world , it now also is known as the “ Biggest Pickleball Party in the World .”

The event draws the world ’ s top professional pickleball players who travel to Naples from throughout the U . S . and 29 countries to compete . It also draws a record number of amateur players . The 2023 USOPC , held April 15 through 22 , drew 3,038 players and an estimated 40,000 spectators over the course of the week .

“ Minto was one of our first corporate sponsors the very first year ,” says Graham . “ If you look back to 2016 , no one even knew of pickleball . Now Minto ’ s The Isles of Collier Preserve in Naples and Latitude Margaritaville communities have a total of 42 dedicated pickleball courts , and they are significantly involved in the growth of the sport . We are proud to say Minto was at ground zero with the USOPC and now look where the sport has gone !”

14 MINTO US OPEN PICKLEBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS 2023