Pickleball 101 Learn the Game: Center Court - Pickleball Enthusiasts and 7 Mile Businesses Eagerly Await Pro Tour’s New Jersey Open
The APP SunMED Open tournament in Chicago
Just as the pro tennis world completes its grand slam season with the U.S. Open in New York next month, Avalon will be the venue for the fasting-growing sport in the nation when it hosts the Association of Pickleball Players SunMED New Jersey Open tour event Sept. 6-10.
Sandwiched between its tour events in Chicago and Atlanta, the APP selected seaside Avalon for a variety of reasons, not the least of which was location, location, location in a tiny pickleball hotbed that is preparing to show off its unique lifestyle.
Realtors, restaurateurs, gift shops and other businesses are welcoming an added week to the summer tourist season as hundreds of athletes, officials and spectators visit the Seven Mile Beach for the event to be held at the “expanded” Avalon Pickleball Center on 8th Street and Dune Drive.
The event is expected to generate close to $1 million in direct and indirect economic benefits for real estate rentals, restaurants, and other businesses.
Jacquie Ewing, the owner of the Armadillo, Ltd. gift shop in Avalon, is a partner in the 7 Mile Business Community Association that promotes business, civic, and cultural activities. She says the APP event has stimulated great interest.
“We’re over the moon about being chosen as a site for this pickleball tournament because it fits perfectly in our group’s goal of introducing positive offseason activity into Avalon and the surrounding area,” Ewing says. “We know the players and spectators who come will enjoy our shops and restaurants as well as the beach.”
Ewing lived and worked in New York City before moving to Avalon in the early 2000s. She grew up vacationing here with her family as a child and has enjoyed many wonderful memories of seeing the area develop into a top resort destination. Ewing said many of her clients and friends are buzzing about the pickleball event.
“I’ve heard nothing but positive things from people,” she says. “And as an added wonderful coincidence, our annual end-of-summer Shop Hop event is happening the same weekend. It is going to be a great week and our businesses are ready to welcome new friends. Those who visit for the first time will fall in love with Avalon.”
Although specifics about seating capacity, parking and other logistics have not been finalized as of this printing, local realtors hope to see a bump in rentals and use the event to showcase all the area has to offer.
John O’Dea, of the Compass Real Estate Beach to Bay group in Avalon, says the event is a great fit for a “smaller” community that boasts inviting beaches and restaurants as well as access to nearby attractions along the Seven Mile Beach.
“Any added event that extends the summer season should be good for the business community,” O’Dea says. “I know the [tour] hits the bigger cities, so having it come here is very positive for us. September has great weather. We know visitors are going to love Avalon.”
O’Dea says he does not play pickleball but has watched the community embrace the game.
“I have friends who are very competitive and love the physical and social aspects of it,” he notes. “It will be an exciting week for people who love the game. I know there is a lot of interest here. These pickleball events are televised and are getting more interest.”
The New Jersey Open is the 11th stop on 2023 APP Tour calendar. Registration is open to amateurs of all ages and skill levels to compete alongside the sport’s elite professionals in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles events. The event marks the APP’s return to New Jersey after it previously hosted a tournament in August 2022, which featured more than 600 players.
To register, visit PickleballBrackets.com.
Tickets will be available in the coming weeks via SITickets.com.
The New Jersey Open will be featured in televised coverage on CBS Sports Network.
Many local players are also entered in the Stone Harbor Pickleball Classic August 5-6 being held at the 2nd Avenue Pickleball complex that drew more than one hundred players as the sport grows throughout South Jersey.
Brian D’Alessandro, of Deptford, is a player and pickleball coach. He played in last year’s Avalon Tournament and plans to enter the APP event. He says the reason for the advance in skill that reaches professional levels is the influx of former tennis players and younger athletes.
“It’s a beautifully run tournament and facility,” D’Alessandro says. “I’ve been playing for two years, and the game is really moving to a high level.”