Pickleball Magazine 3-5 | Page 16

dinks What’s News in Pickleball Indian Wells Tennis Garden to Host 2018 USA Pickleball National Championships Margaritaville Signs on as Title Sponsor of the Tournament November 3-11. Event to Showcase One of the Country’s Fastest- Growing Sports. T he 2018 USA Pickleball National Championships— expected to draw approximately 2,500 players of all ages and skill levels—will be held at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden from November 3-11, 2018, in partnership with sports and entertainment management company Desert Champions and the United States Pickleball Association (USAPA). Margaritaville, the global lifestyle brand synonymous with fun and escapism, has been announced as the title sponsor of the event, which is the premier sanctioned tournament of the USAPA. “We are excited to partner with the team at Margaritaville and the USAPA to add this championship to our growing portfolio of events,” said Steve Birdwell, Chief Operating Officer of Desert Champions. “We cannot wait to welcome the entire pickleball community to the world-renowned Indian Wells Tennis Garden in November.” The tournament will feature nine days of events incorporating all ages and skill levels including singles, doubles, mixed doubles and professional divisions. The Indian Wells Tennis Garden—which hosts the BNP Paribas Open each March, one of the most prestigious men’s and women’s professional tennis events in the world—will feature 44 match courts as well as a Championship Court, all of which will showcase Margaritaville branding, as will the on-site Shade Pavilion and Bar. Live music, the centerpiece of the Margaritaville brand, will take place each day, along with 14 exciting Margaritaville-inspired activities and promotions. “Pickleball and Margaritaville are both synonymous with fun, so we are excited to bring our state of mind to one of the fastest growing sports in the U.S.,” said Tamara Baldanza-Dekker, Margaritaville’s Chief Marketing Officer. “From the party that surrounds the USA Pickleball National Championships to the palm trees and natural beauty of the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, Margaritaville’s partnership with Desert Champions and the USAPA is truly a match made in paradise.” Admission to the grounds and to the 44 field courts is free. Tickets to the Championship Court are now available for purchase at USAPickleballNationals.com. Salt Lake USA Transplant Games Wins Guinness World Record A Guinness World Record was set in August at the Donate Life USA Transplant Games in Salt Lake City, where 540 transplant recipients played pickleblall in one place. The Transplant Life Foundation produces the event for individuals who have undergone lifesaving transplant surgeries. Pickleball was offered to transplant recipients, living donors, corneal and tissue recipients, bone marrow recipients and international recipients (India, Brazil and Australia had representation at the games). Team Wisconsin took silver in the Men’s 20-29 category. Player Josh Bergeron, 33, received a heart transplant 19 years ago and Josh Gerrits, 16, received a heart transplant in October 2017. One player for Team Michigan (they took the bronze) said, “This is the very first time I’ve ever played. I bought my racquet at 9:20 p.m., and Dick’s closes at 9:30 p.m., the day before my flight left.” Continued on page 16 > TO SUBSCRIBE CALL 888.308.3720 OR GO TO THEPICKLEBALLMAG.COM