What gave you both the courage to leave Wilson and strike out on your own ?
We tried for a few years to convince Wilson management to develop a line of pickleball paddles and balls . We had done quite a bit of research on the game and the industry . We saw the perfect storm brewing and knew it was time to change the landscape of this new sport .
Did you foresee the pickleball boom ?
Yes . If we had not seen it coming , we never would have left Wilson . Our market research was spot-on .
Why did you choose Naples , Florida , for the location ?
We presented to the Convention and Visitors Bureau and within 48 hours we had an agreement . The county has built a pickleball empire at East Naples Community Park . The Naples Pickleball Center is the largest pickleball park in the world , with 64 permanent courts . Thousands of players travel to Naples throughout the year to play on the US Open courts . It is such a perfect vacation destination year-round .
There ’ s a large welcome center going up in the East Naples Community Park . Whose idea was that and why is it needed ?
As the Open grew in numbers of players and spectators over the years , we knew we had to keep updating the park . It is a beautiful 47-acre park but dated . There were only two bathrooms by the courts . Every year the commissioners would ask us , “ What do you need next ?” Our answer was consistently , “ Bathrooms , bathrooms , bathrooms !” The Welcome Center has been on the plan for a few years but took a year longer when COVID-19 hit . We are so grateful to the county and Parks and Rec for all they have done for the US Open . They have been such a great partner for so many reasons .
Your advertising focuses on the fun side of the tournament . Whose idea was that and do you feel it ’ s been a part of the tournament ’ s success ?
Our initial business plan started with “ party ” and then went to creating an international pickleball event . There are so many pickleball players who have no desire to play in a tournament . However , everyone loves a good party . We created the “ Biggest Pickleball Party in the World ” to attract everyone . We now have 25,000 people who come to the park over the seven-day event . The smiles , the laughter , the spontaneous dancing is what makes the US Open so special to so many people .
You work together so well and complement each other . What skills do each of you bring to the table ?
We respect each other unconditionally . We worked together at Wilson for 21 years . We found out very early that one of our strengths is the other ’ s weakness . To oversimplify , Chris is focused on the details of the tournament including organizing 400 volunteers and 31 captains . She also works closest with
pt . com on all elements of the tournament . I ( Terri ) focus more on the business side including sponsorships and media . However , we don ’ t do much without bouncing it off each other . We always have each other ’ s back .
Do you run the event with an iron fist or velvet glove ?
We have been blessed with two key guys , Jim Ludwig and Bryan McKenzie , being a part of our team . They are experts in logistics and IT . I think they may say Chris is more of the velvet glove and Terri is more of the iron fist ! They may be right !
What advice would you give others who might want to build a pickleball event like you have done ?
We have been asked this question a hundred times . We both had almost 30 years ’ experience at Wilson . We worked at tournaments representing Wilson , from the US Open Tennis Championships to the US Open Racquetball Championships . The time we spent at Wilson prepared us for this new adventure . Our main philosophy , and it still is today , is to “ stay on course .” There will be many curve balls thrown at you but just stay on course . And once the ball gets over the plate , hit the ball out of the park !
This year is the 50th anniversary of Title IX . Was it a factor in your success ?
People in the business world are always surprised that “ Chris and Terri ” are two women who own the US Open Pickleball Championships . I think most think we are two men . We both are very proud to be a speck in the big world of women in sports from players to entrepreneurs . We are so thankful to Title IX and all the women who worked so hard to bring women ’ s sports to the place it is today . It is an understatement to say that our success is partly credited to the likes of so many strong women who fought and paved the road for us . We would not be here today without the sacrifices they made along the way . •
MAY / JUNE 2022 | MAGAZINE 51