Cincinnati, you’ve been busy this week! For the last week – from September 4-11, 2022 – the epicenter of the pickleball universe has, inarguably, been the Queen City – Cincinnati, Ohio. Not Naples, Florida. Not Wichita, Kansas. Not even Austin, Texas, for that matter.
In just the last week alone, the Greater Cincinnati area played host to Middletown’s 24-hour pickleball marathon, a PPA Tour Grand Slam Event at the iconic Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, OH, 1-day and 2-day Tyson McGuffin signature camps (with waiting lists), multiple sessions of Dave Weinbach clinics and the Sawyer Point “official” 18-court (dedicated courts) grand opening/ribbon cutting. Additionally, there has been continued construction progress on ACES Pickleball, Bar & Restaurant in Norwood, OH.
24-Hour Pickleball Marathon, Middletown, OH
For the fifth straight year, Middletown, OH was the place to be for 24 consecutive hours over the Labor Day weekend. For a $20 entry fee, participants could play all day and all night long on the 18 dedicated courts at Lefferson Park. The goal was to have at least one court occupied with pickleball play for all 24 hours of the event – with most courts full for the majority of the weather-conducive time.
The marathon is one of the annual fundraisers for the Middletown Pickleball Association (MPA) and this year close to 200 pickleball “addicts” participated. Players brought tents, trailers and sleeping bags – and, this year, attempted to dodge the stormy overnight weather!
Check out the images below from MPA friend and photographer, Shawn Paul.
PPA at the Lindner Family Tennis Center, Mason, OH
You may know the Lindner Family Tennis Center from tennis’ Western & Southern Open. This past week, however, the facility was transformed into a world-class pickleball venue. It was a Who’s Who of pickleball royalty competing in the Baird Wealth Management Open Grand Slam Event – Ben Johns, Tyson McGuffin, Anna Leigh Waters, Jessie Irvine and so many more.
Pickleball Clinics Hosted by Dave Weinbach & Tyson McGuffin
Additionally, and in conjunction with the PPA event, Dave Weinbach did several clinics at the newly renovated courts at Sawyer Point (see below) and Tyson McGuffin hosted one-day and two-day clinics at the end of the PPA tournament at the Lindner Family Tennis Center.
Sawyer Point Grand Opening, Cincinnati, OH
On the banks of the Ohio River in downtown Cincinnati, Sawyer Point had a grand opening/ribbon cutting for their 18 dedicated courts on September 9. This location/venue is an absolute jewel for the city of Cincinnati and surrounding area.
ACES, Norwood, OH
Continued construction progress was also made during the week on Aces Pickleball, Bar & Restaurant in Norwood. This new venue – set to open in December, 2022 – will have 5 indoor courts, 5 outdoor courts and 1 outdoor, covered court. It will include a 10,000 SF restaurant with seating for 140 guests, a full-service bar and much, much more. The pickleball project is being spearheaded by friend, Adam Painter.
Final Thoughts
Whew! What a week! It’s now time to rest and plan for the next events in the city. As you can see, pickleball is exploding in Cincinnati. I would love to hear what’s happening in your neck of the woods. Please let us know in the comments below.
See you on the courts.
Very nice article Todd!
Thanks, Betty. Pickleball was definitely hopping in-and-around Cincinnati!