SUNDIAL BEACH RESORT
Hart says the transition toward
pickleball as an offering at the resort
was thoroughly researched and
decisively implemented. The process
was initiated by guests asking about
the sport. “It all started with a couple
people inquiring, so we began to do
our own research,” Hart sa ys. “We saw
it was really taking off. I wanted to see
the coolest places in Phoenix that had
pickleball and then looked at the best
resorts in the world and found none of
them had anything.”
Hart says although many places
claim to have pickleball, they just
tape off tennis courts. As a result,
he insisted that JW Marriott Desert
Ridge Resort & Spa do it right. “When
we saw the energy and excitement,
age levels and family play, we saw an
opportunity. JW is 15 years old and
by all accounts one of the great resorts
in the country. We have stunning
golf, a fabulous spa, the best pools
anywhere, gorgeous grounds. How
could we compromise pickleball at this
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resort? Instead of having a court or
two to accommodate somebody who
may want to play, we thought we’d add
pickleball as one of the key positioning
points for the JW Desert Ridge.
We built 12 world-class, dedicated
pickleball courts as part of our tennis
complex, which is now a racquet
complex.”
The JW Marriott’s pickleball courts
also offer players spectacular views of
the gorgeous Arizonian desert. Hart
says players can witness extraordinary
sunsets from the courts. What’s more,
the courts have already been available
to regional players for tournament
play. Hart says the regional seniors
tournament was recently held on
site and communication between
the resort and the local pickleball
organizations is ongoing regarding
future events and tournaments.
On the other side of the country, in
Florida, Sundial Beach Resort and Spa
has long been a staple that prides itself
on its history of tennis amenities.
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Brett Lindsay, Director of Sales and
Marketing for Sundial, said that like
other resorts, the addition of pickleball
facilities was an amalgamation of guest
inquiry and managerial recognition of
the growing sport.
“It was both, actually. Sundial Resort
and Sanibel have a long history of
tennis. When new ownership came in,
they revitalized and realized the value
of pickleball as an added amenity, even
more so,” Lindsay said. “They realized
that pickleball was growing fast. It was
a perfect fit for our demographics and
our climate, so we set up a dedicated
pickleball facility.”
Sundial boasts the largest pickleball
facility in the area, complete with
12 Plexicushion courts and stadium
seating. Resort guests receive
complimentary court access and
equipment rentals. Lessons and clinics
are offered at the beautiful waterfront
facility, voted the Best Pickleball in
Southwest Florida. In addition to
being a boon for guests, the facilities