Ponte Vedra, Milwaukee, Mesa, Chicago, & Prison Pickleball

Happy Friday!

It's another exciting week in the world of pickleball! While I'm sending this from sunny Ponte Vedra before hitting the courts this morning, my heart is a little bit north in Milwaukee this weekend for the PPA Tour's Veolia Milwaukee Open at the Baird Center. As a Milwaukee native, it's one of my favorite cities and I wish I could be there in person to soak up all the action. But the good news is, we can all catch the matches on pickleballtv.com.

On the other side of the country, USA Pickleball is hosting their National Championships, where players compete at the Arizona Athletic Grounds . Watch the matches live on QVC 's TV Streaming App.

Personally, my week is jam-packed with pickleball.

This Saturday, Pickleball in the Sun is proud to be a sponsor of Paddles for PanCan here in Ponte Vedra, hosted by Action News Jax's Mike Buresh and Marithza Calderon-Ross . Come out and support this incredible cause.

Monday, I'm honored to be speaking at the KK&W Racquets Summit right here in Ponte Vedra. Safe travels to everyone heading to Sawgrass Country Club and The Yards for the event -- looking forward to connecting with you all and playing pickleball!

Then, it's off to the Windy City! Join me in Chicago for our next Smirnoff SMASH Pickleball Experience at Play SPF on Wednesday, November 20th, from 7-11pm. We'll have special guests Matt Forte and Kysre Gondrezick joining the fun. It's going to be an epic night of open play and good times, so reserve your spot now! For those 21+.

And in other pickleball news... NBC News visited a California prison to see how pickleball is making a positive impact on inmates.

Plus, with the holidays right around the corner, we're thrilled to be hosting a benefit for the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation -- "Serving up Hope" Pickleball Holiday Bash. Join us Sunday, December 8th at The Yards from 9am - 12pm.

See you on the courts,

Laura Gainor

[email protected]

PPA Tour's Veolia Milwaukee Open

The PPA Tour's Veolia Milwaukee Open presented by Miller Lite is held this week at the Baird Center in downtown Milwaukee.

The action is already heating up with Kate Fahey and Chao Yi Wang having both earning their way to Championship Sunday in the Women's Singles bracket. Kate has been an incredible player to watch and I'm personally looking forward to this match.

Catch all of the live action today through Sunday on pickleballtv.com.

USA Pickleball National Championships in Mesa, AZ

The USA Pickleball National Championships brings together the best players from across the nation to compete for the title of National Champion. Held annually, this year's tournament takes place November 9-17 at the Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa, Arizona. With various devisions for amateurs, juniors, pros, and wheelchair players.

This year USA Pickleball has a new partnership with QVC where you can watch the live matches.

Follow USA Pickleball and QVC on Instagram for details on how to watch the USA Pickleball National Championships.

Paddles for PanCan this Saturday!

This Saturday, November 16th, join us at The Yards for Paddles for PanCan, a fantastic event hosted by Mike Buresh and Marithza Ross with Action News Jax, raising awareness and funds for the fight against pancreatic cancer! Pickleball in the Sun is proud to be a sponsor of this important cause, along with the title sponsor The Mayo Clinic.

If you're local, come on by to watch the tournament, enjoy some open play and donate blood to support this incredible cause. Details on our website.

Join us for the Smirnoff SMASH Pickleball Mixer in Chicago!

Join us for the Smirnoff SMASH Pickleball Experience at SPF Chicago on Wednesday, November 20th, from 7-11pm.

This is more than just your average pickleball night. We're taking over SPF Chicago, one of the city's premier indoor pickleball facilities, for an evening of fun social play, a local player tournament, and a live DJ.

We'll have special guests Matt Forte, former NFL player, and Kysre Gondrezick, professional basketball player, joining the fun.

The Pickleball in the Sun team looks forward to seeing you there! Reserve your spot here. For those 21+.

California Prisoners Play Pickleball to Build Community

San Quentin Prison is taking a different approach to rehabilitation by converting some of the prison space into pickleball courts. NBC News' Kathy Park reports on how prisoners are welcoming the change.

Pickleball Magazine also visited San Quentin State Prison this past summer to talk with Roger BelAir about the impact pickleball is having on the inmates.

Read the full story in the July / August 2024 issue of Pickleball Magazine.

Serving up Hope: Pickleball Holiday Bash

Join us on Sunday, December 8th at The Yards for "Serving Up Hope" Pickleball Holiday Bash benefiting the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation . The Jay Fund provides comprehensive financial, emotional, and practical support to families tackling chilhood cancer.

This free event includes open play pickleball (paid signup required), a live DJ, vendor booths, and a gift card drive to support Jay Fund families.

Details on our website. Reserve your ticket and get details about sponsorship opportunities. Thank you for supporting the Jay Fund!