“Open Play” means that all players, of any skill level, are invited to play at a set time and set day. This does allow players to come and go as they please without setting up a game in advance.  The disadvantage to “Open Play is often the large number of players that show up. 36 players may show up for 3 courts. That leads to excessive wait times. Play one game and wait out 2 before you play again. The other disadvantage is you are required to play with all different skill levels.

At The Pickleball Club we register our open Play members to minimize wait time and designate courts by skill level. This address the two most common issues with Open Play.

Sarasota has cadre of professional instructors and we have the best available at all levels of play. Our professional instructors can tailor a program to your needs - from individual instruction to clinics to Pickleball Club University’s four-stage development curriculum. How does one improve quickly? Professional training! Whichever program you select your instructor will analyze your play and give you the knowledge and tools to become a better player. Group or clinics are a cost effective way of improving your skills and meeting your fellow club members. Clinics will typically range from 3 – 8 players. Clinics will be held every week throughout the year. We plan on bringing in guest instructors from throughout the United States and Canada... all to enhance your play.

We plan on holding regional tournaments throughout the year, all in the comfort of our indoor climate-controlled facility. We have established the Pickleball Club Academy to train those wishing to play competitively.  They practice throughout the week and compete at our events and others around the state representing the Pickleball Club... showcasing their play and sportsmanship throughout the pickleball community.

We are enthusiastic about the youth programs we are developing in conjunction with the Sarasota & Manatee School systems. We are looking at programs for elementary, middle and high school students. We also believe we can play a unique role in assisting home-schooled students to satisfy their athletic requirements. We are developing educational materials to assist youth players in learning more about the sport of pickleball. Our 501c3 foundation the Play for Life Foundation is donating the equipment to those schools expressing an interest in integrating picklball into their athletic curriculum. A kit contains 3 nets, paddles, balls and instructional material. Our pros volunteer to go to the schools to train the trainers.

The Pickleball Club is owned and operated by a retired 30-year combat veteran. He has been active in the Sarasota/Manatee communities as a past president of the Military Officers Association of Sarasota and the executive director of the Sarasota Military Officers Foundation. He was Chairman on the Advisory Council for United Way Suncoast’s Mission United and in conjunction with the Pops Orchestra organized numerous veteran performances at Patriot Plaza., Riverview High School and the Neel Performing Arts Center at SCF. He is also a graduate of Sarasota County Civilian Law Enforcement Academy. Our veterans and first responders have given much for the love of our nation and community. Our gratitude is best expressed in action – the reason we have developed programs specifically for these amazing men and women.