of origin for tournament players.
Creature comforts, such as misting
tents for players and parking handled
by the local Kiwanis, were also small
changes that yielded a big difference.
In the case of the parking, the $5 daily
charge went directly to the Kiwanis’
Christmas in July program, which
benefits homeless children in the area.
Consequently, all of these changes
for the better have created a virtual
circle of growth for the US Open—
larger, more streamlined events and
activities means more participation,
which generates more tourism and
income for the county, which means
more regional efforts to make the event
larger and to streamline it further.
The US Open brings an estimated $5
million into the local economy, with
1,300 participants, 10,000 global
spectators and national television
exposure that CBS Sports estimated at
6 million viewers.
But even before it was a reality,
Graham said the county was extremely
supportive in getting the US Open off
the ground.
US Open Winner of Men’s Singles Pro Ben Johns
“The county has been supportive
since day one. Before we lifted a
even more the second year,” Graham said. “They’ve been
finger, they had our backs and were
supportive since we made our presentation on bringing it
supporting it. With a successful first year, they’ve done
to Naples and they haven’t stopped; they just keep moving
forward. It’s a blessing from the pickleball gods that we
ended up in Naples.”
To that effect, preliminary planning efforts are already
underway, looking into the feasibility of adding even more
courts to the site, which would benefit the US Open and
the local pickleball community. Graham’s hope is that
the project moves forward and that the new courts are
operational for next year’s event, which is already in the
works—a fact that astounds even Graham.
“Never in my wildest dreams had I thought this would
be part of the five-year plan. I thought maybe we could get
to 1,000 participants in five years,” she said. “What we’ve
accomplished in two years is incredible. This event doesn’t
happen without the volunteers or our event director,
Jim Ludwig, who all pull together to make this event as
amazing as it is. If people didn’t come this year, they should
put it on their bucket list for next year. If you play or like to
US Open Winners of Mixed Doubles Pro Oliver Strecker and
watch, this is the place to be; this is just a party where you
Simone Jardim
come and have a blast and play pickleball as well.” •
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