Pickleball Magazine 3-2 | Page 33

Steve Hart, General Manager, JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa. DESTINATION PICKLEBALL WHETHER IT’S A HOTEL, RESORT OR PLANNED RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY, PICKLEBALL HAS BECOME AN ESSENTIAL AMENITY. The sport of pickleball has burst into the mainstream from pockets all over the country—and commercial businesses and home developers are taking notice. Perhaps the most accommodating businesses are those in the hospitality industry—hoteliers and RV communities, where pickleball isn’t just another activity to offer guests but an integral part of bringing in new guests. At the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, pickleball has been elevated to the heights of luxury rarely found elsewhere. Not only did the resort convert three of its tennis courts into 12 pickleball courts, each court comes with all the amenities the resort has to offer. “Our guests have access to our locker rooms, great restrooms, connectivity to the rest of the resort, sandwiches, cocktails, whatever they could wish for,” says Steve Hart, General Manager. “We built these courts so players could be part of the resort experience and have total resort amenities, whether it’s just a few folks who want to play or a large round robin tournament. The real sweet spot is to be able to continue the love of the sport for families that come here because of our courts, or people who are curious because they’ve heard about it and want to attend clinics or lessons.” SEE NEXT PAGE MARCH/APRIL 2018 | >> MAGAZINE 31