SPONSORED CONTENT | BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
Dazzleball Turns Pickleball into
Lights-Out Success
The first annual Dazzleball Social and Shoot-Out in Southwest Florida was hosted by Antilles in Naples , introducing fluorescent equipment to expand night-play options .
BY JEFF STEVENS / LUCITT & CO .
What started as an end-of-summer real estate sales promotion for a luxury new construction development in south Naples turned into a shining success for players when one of pickleball ’ s previously under-noticed facets was highlighted . Most pickleballs , including Franklin , Onix and Dura to name a few , are fluorescent and can glow naturally under blacklight . Additionally , much of the existing equipment has fluorescent trim . As fashion and sport intersect , neon trims on paddles , shoes and clothing have proliferated , all of which are revealed in bold relief under blacklight , even surpassing white clothes as nighttime attention getters .
Antilles has courted the pickleball community since on-site sales took off during Naples ’ winter 20-21 season . The sport is well-ensconced in the resort town ’ s list of attractions . Three major pickleball tournaments are held there annually , including the premiere US Open in April .
This year ’ s event , rescheduled after 2020 ’ s cancellation , was particularly well-attended , creating in the short run a shortage of available court bookings for locals and visitors alike . As it had all season long , Antilles made its four state-ofthe-art pickleball courts available to any players or teams edged out by the tournament influx , even completing the lighting for night play ahead of schedule . They are all that pickleball can be — fun , active , loud and happy .
Antilles ’ regulation pickleball courts were purposely built away from the residences in consideration of the sport ’ s accompanying noise level . Observers not familiar with the game learned almost with the first volley that players are there to have fun as well as win , and every time Antilles hosted players during the past winter season , the players brought their game with a side of laughter .
The Dazzleball Social and Shoot-Out marked the end of Naples ’ extended season and was by far Antilles ’ most successful introductory event . Promoted from within and recognized as friendly to pickleball players from previous events , it was the community ’ s bestattended event to date . Those who wanted to play registered in advance as directed , so provisions would be adequate and brackets could be created . They arrived at dusk for regulation bocce , barbecue , drinks and socializing — many dressed and accessorized for maximum glow-in-the-dark effects — and when the blacklights came on after dark , they and the courts came to life .
Pairs of ultraviolet lights illuminated the sides of each of Antilles ’ four courts . All lines and net tops had been re-lined with fluorescent-colored tape and the spectacle was bold , bright and a little eerie . Memorably , when play began , the natural fluorescence of the game balls made them look like comets , flaring again and again to the music and laughter . Sunset that night was almost as colorful as the courts , the moon was a few days from full , and a good time was had by all .
OCTOBER 2021 | MAGAZINE 89