Sounds familiar. I see this every day of the week in our area. Better players now schedule groups their ability if they are getting ready for tournaments. Most of their friends are at weaker levels , so they go visit them in open play at the parks. Play on.

Totally agree, happy to hear you feel this way! Wish a lot of others did. This is taking Professional to a level above many other Professionals do, thank you Sarah!

We might do that ! We travel from Phoenix to Ohio every summer and we are always looking for fun play!

Hi Rita, just my two cents. We have 16, soon to be 18 dedicated courts in Middletown, Ohio. We took over tennis courts, with the blessing from our city, but at our cost. They have donated less than $10,000 to our funds. We absolutely have no hard feelings towards this. Our city is a steel mill city, blue collar. They do an excellent job with everything that they can. We took this on, and we have made it happen. You can start by possibly holding small round robin tournaments, dinking contests, pickleball marathons, all monies go towards your building. Have a sign with your goal, as you receive money, show progress to those interested. Do you have tennis courts that you could rent courts to get little events going?
Our courts are built by our members, we have a $50/year fee. Our tournaments and other events fund our construction and repairs. It’s work.
Also, if you have a grant writer, this is another option. Ask all of your players, you never know what skills they have. Feel free to call me anytime and I’ll see if I can help with any more ideas or answer any questions. You’re off to a great start by being a subscriber to Sarah’s newsletter!!

Thanks, we do have land to build a building for 2 courts but need the money to build and then players willing to pay for utilities and upkeep. We are taking donations🤪

I think the best advice is to work with your local government, senior centers, etc to expand the number of courts. I would invite my readers to “chime in” about strategies they have used to increase the number of available courts.

.always good advise Sarah. We live in a village, no government funds to support a rec center. We play at a senior center where after lunch the players stack the chairs, move the tables and put up ONE. We never know how many are going to play. Sometimes 6, sometimes 20 plus for one net! We do have out door courts but too cold to play there.
We have beginners up to 4/4.5 and is difficult to figure out a fair way for all to play, have fun and those competitive people to bring it down a notch, they do not mind an occasional game but not every game. Help. We have tried winners and losers , paddles in slots, everyone play a game through and then start winners and losers to mix it up.
I thought having a competitive group and a social group might work. Those play every other game. We have a few bangers who don’t want to play at the net and those that play up with them find that gap hard to cover. Help, suggestions please,

So well put! I need to post this at a few places I go to for open play!!!