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Players International Management, Inc. (PIM), organizers of the YellowTennisBall.com Series of over 30 state, national and international USTA and ITF events, is excited to host the WORLD PICKLEBALL OPEN (WPO) held December 9 – 12, 2021 at PGA Village Verano by Kolter Homes (17127 SW Ambrose Way, Port St. Lucie, FL, 34986, approximately 55 minutes north of Palm Beach International Airport) featuring 26 brand new dedicated Pickleball courts, and one Championship Court! 

The event plans to create a memorable experience for its sponsors, and participants, and will include Pre-Event clinics, an Exhibition and the event will be creating a 30-minute televised highlight show!  Event information is listed below and please call (561.330.6003) or email (ibaron@YellowTennisBall.com) if you have any questions. We look forward to hosting you in December and please remember to register early – Player Registration opens Wed., August 4, 2021!

To receive up-to-date event info., player news, special event updates, become a Volunteer or want to be involved as a Sponsor of the World Pickleball Open, please send your email address to ibaron@YellowTennisBall.com and we will add you to our Event E-blasts!

Click for the 2019 30-minute televised Highlight Show aired multiple times on Fox Sports Florida!

SCHEDULE / EVENT GUIDE

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE 2021 EVENT!

Event Guide: Click here (updated soon) for Event information, site details, practice and match court info., etc.

Television/Live Streaming: Details announced soon.

Volunteer Info. Volunteering is an invitation to link with great people and oversee the day-to-day operation.  All Volunteers will receive a T-shirt, Lunch or Dinner, and one complimentary ticket to the 2022 Delray Beach Open by VITACOST.COM ATP Men’s Tennis Event (Session TBA: $40+ Value). To Apply, Click here.

• DEADLINE TO APPLY: November 18, 2021 (limited spots, register early!)
• VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENTS: Information Booth, Court Monitors, Match Coordinators, Tournament Desk, Announcer, Score Posters, Hospitality, Player Bags, Sponsorships. Click Here for Descriptions 

Things to do in St. Lucie County: Click here

SCHEDULE – DIVISIONS

Wednesday, August 4, 2021: Registration Opens – Limited space available!

Sunday, October 31, 2021: Last day to register to receive complimentary 2021 Delray Beach Open by VITACOST.com ATP Ticket

Thursday, November 18, 2021: Entry deadline (Anyone entering after the deadline will not receive an event T-Shirt)

Thursday, November 25, 2021: Last day to withdraw and receive a full refund

Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021: 1:30 – 3pm. Volunteer Registration and Meeting 

Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021:  

*9 – 10:30am, 11am – 12:30pm & 1:30 – 3pm: Engage Pickleball Strategy Clinics. To Register, click here or if you have any questions, email Rob Elliott at robert@engagesporting.com. Limited availability, $55pp (8:1 instructor/participant ratio).

*3 – 5pm: Player Registration

*5 – 6pm: Engage Pickleball Exhibition (free)

MATCH PLAY

Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021:

• • Mixed Doubles Skills: 50+, 60+, 70+ (3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0)

Friday, Dec. 10, 2021:

• • Women’s Doubles Skills:19+, 35+, 50+, 60+, 70+ (3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0)
  • Women’s Doubles Pro: 19+ and 50+
  • Men’s Doubles Pro:  19+ and 50+

Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021: 

• • Mixed Doubles Pro: 19+, 50+
  • Men’s Doubles Skills: 19+, 35+, 50+, 60+, 70+ (3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0)

Sunday, Dec. 12:

• • Men’s Singles Pro: 19+, 50+
  • Women’s Singles Pro:19+, 50+
  • Mixed Doubles Skills: 19+, 35+ (3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0)

EVENT INFO.

Event Site. PGA Village Verano by Kolter Holmes.  (17127 SW Ambrose Way, Port St. Lucie, FL, 34986). The event will consist of 27 dedicated Pickleball courts. Facility is located 55 miles north of Palm Beach International Airport. Facility info.

Entry Fees:

• Pro Divisions: $65 Event Registration Fee  per person + $125 Entry Fee per event (per person)
• Skills Divisions: $65 Event Registration Fee per person + $35 Entry Fee per event entered

Player Gift – Pro and Skills participants will receive (one per person):

• Event T-Shirt
• Goody Bag
• Those that register before October 31, 2021 will receive one complimentary Stadium Court Ticket to a Session (TBD) to the 2022 Delray Beach Open by VITACOST.com ($40+ Value). Tickets may be picked up at the On-site Box Office (30 NW 1st Ave., Delray Beach, FL) on ______________, 2022. Please present a valid photo ID… Click here for the match schedule.

USA Pickleball Tier 4 Sanctioned Event. All participants must be a member of the USAPA. Click here for more information.

Court Surface: The event will consist of 21 dedicated Pickleball courts.

Practice Courts (weather pending): 

*From Tues., Dec. 7 – Wed., Dec. 8, 10+ practice courts will be available all day on a 1st-come, 1st serve bases (4 players per court, 1 hour increments).

*From Thurs., Dec. 9 – Sun., Dec. 12, courts are based on a first-come, first-serve basis per the following… 15+ courts (7 – 8am, 2+courts thereafter. Please allow four players per court, 30 minutes maximum for warm-ups. Upon arrival, please check with Tournament Director for the practice court location).

Ball Type: DURA 40

Parking Policy: Details announced soon.

Refund Policy: No refunds given after Thursday, November 25, 2021 unless:

• Entries received after the maximum number of individuals or teams are bracketed or if not enough teams/individuals enter a division
• Entries of non-qualified participants

Weather: Competitions will be conducted unless event staff determines the weather conditions to be potentially dangerous, life threatening or if the facility would incur significant damage.  There will be no cash refunds for cancelled events due to weather.

Admission. Free

*Prize Money (pros only):  Up to $25,000* in total prize money and dependent upon number of teams per division… Click for Prize Money Distribution. Full payout only applicable if divisions consist of a minimum of 12 players (singles) or 12 teams (doubles). If less than 12 players/teams per division, click here for alternate Prize Money breakdown.

All Divisions: Double Elimination with a Come Around (ie a team can lose a match and still come around and win the bracket)

Main Draw: Each match consists of a “best of three” game format with each game to 11, win by two points

Consolation: Each match consists of one game to 15, win by two points except for the final match which determines 3rd place…with the winning team to go on to compete for 1st/2nd place. The final Consolation match consists of a best of 3 game format with each game to 11, win by two points.

If you would like to receive event information as they are finalized, please send your email address to ibaron@YellowTennisBall.com and you will receive event notifications when they are announced in the coming weeks. Thank you. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is Pickleball?

History of Pickleball?

Why is it called Pickleball? 

How do I play Pickleball?

What equipment do I need? 

What is the proper attire for a Pickleball game? 

What are the dimensions of a Pickleball court?

What are the basic rules of Pickleball?

How to be safe playing Pickleball?

What is the USAPA?

What kind of paddles are allowed by the USAPA?

What are the USAPA rules for Pickleball? 

How do I Volunteer for the World Pickleball Open (WPBO)?

What would I be doing as a Volunteer for the WPBO?

SPONSORS

PGA Village Verano. PGA Village Verano in Port St. Lucie, Florida, is an award-winning, gated new home community by KOLTER HOMES. Less than an hour north of the Palm Beaches and approximately 90 minutes south of Orlando, PGA Village Verano’s ideal location on the Treasure Coast allows for convenient access to 21-miles of white sand beaches and a fine selection of shopping, dining and recreational activities. In addition to the community’s new 27-court Pickleball Center, residents have exclusive access to PGA Village Verano’s 27,000-square-foot social clubhouse and 13,000-square-foot fitness center. These fitness and social centers offer a wide array of social and wellness programs, full-time lifestyle and activities directors, and state-of-the-art facilities including a resort-style pool; tennis, basketball and bocce ball courts and indoor Junior Olympic pool. To-Build and Move-In Ready Homes priced from the mid $200s to $500s are available in both PGA Village Verano and Kolter’s new 55+ active adult neighborhood, Cresswind at PGA Village Verano.

Delray Beach Open by VITACOST.com. The world’s only combined ATP 250 Event (featuring today’s ATP stars) and ATP Champions Tour Legends Event (featuring former tennis greats). The 28th anniversary takes place Jan. 4 – 13, 2021, is televised nationally and internationally in over 75 countries, and is host to 60,000+ spectators and over a dozen special events and amateur tennis events.

Treasure Coast Sports Commission:  The Treasure Coast Sports Commission (TCSC) is a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit Florida corporation focusing on sports development throughout Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin Counties. Partially funded by tourist tax revenue, the Sports Commission seeks out possible events and tournaments that have the potential to bring traveling visitors and athletes to the area for extended stays while competing in our local venues and sports facilities. The Treasure Coast Sports Commission is the region’s ambassador to regional, national and international events.

Vulcan Pickleball is a collision of style, athleticism, and technology. Vulcan has a full line of pickleball products, designed for players of all ages and skill levels — from pickleball paddles and backpacks to nets, overgrips, and accessories.

Pickleball Central is the world’s largest pickleball super store with the widest selection of paddles, nets, balls, accessories, apparel and pickleball equipment. They carry over 200 paddle models, deliver extremely fast shipping and excellent customer service. Their expert advice, low-cost guarantee and no risk paddle test-drive make Pickleball Central the best place to shop for all your pickleball gear.

Onix. Since its founding in 2005, Onix has dedicated its mission to growing the sport of pickleball with leading products and innovation. Our products are designed by players, for players. Through on-going research and product development, our engineers and product management team are creating new products that lead the way in the pickleball category. Our goal is to produce the best pickleball paddles, balls, and equipment that will allow you to take your game to the next level.

Exhibitors. Inspire Activewear, Premier Wellness Centers

TOURNAMENT COMMITTEE

Tournament Director: Ivan Baron, IBaron@YellowTennisBall.com 561-330-6003

Tournament Chairman: Mark Baron

Director of Player Relations: Adam Baron, ABaron@YellowTennisBall.com

Director Tournament Desk Operations: Melissa McCurley, melissa@pickleballtournaments.com

Director of Operations & Media: John Butler, JButler@YellowTennisBall.com

Social Media & Director of Volunteers: Marlena Hochberg, MHochberg@YellowTennisBall.com 

Director of Hospitality: Alexis Crenshaw, ACrenshaw@YellowTennisBall.com 

Chief Referee: Jeff Shank, JLShank@hotmail.com

WE LOOK FORWARD TO HOSTING YOU AT THE WORLD PICKLEBALL OPEN!