Pickleball 101: Learn the Game - Relishing the Spotlight, Avalon Treats Pickleball Pros and Amateurs to a Dilly of a Tournament
Avalon’s 8th Street Pickleball Courts
A late-summer pickleball heat wave rolled through Avalon in early September as hundreds of professional and amateur players competed side by side in the Association of Pickleball Players Sunmed New Jersey Open at the 8th Street courts.
Local businesses and residents welcomed the post-Labor Day “offseason” event that included a streamed and televised tournament, pickleball clinics, and vendors. It flourished despite temperatures that exceeded 90 degrees.
Scheduled between its tour events in Chicago and Atlanta, the APP selected seaside Avalon for its location on the shore and the draw of a growing pickleball community in South Jersey.
“The 2023 APP Sunmed New Jersey Open was a terrific success for our organization, all the players, and the city of Avalon, even in spite of the attempts of the weather on the last day to derail us,” says Tom Webb, APP’s chief marketing officer. “With great support from the players and the community, and hard work from our team, we were able to complete our schedule, crown our winners, and enjoy a hugely satisfying time on the South Jersey shore. Thank you to all involved!”
The event was scheduled for Sept. 6-10, but a storm that broke the heat wave on championship Sunday forced the action to be moved to the nearby Proshot Pickleball indoor facility in Egg Harbor Township.
Lori McStravick and Lynn Miller, longtime friends from Philadelphia who summer in Avalon and have honed their pickleball skills over the last several years, were part of a volunteer corps helping move players on and off the courts for scheduled matches.
“It’s a great event and the sport has grown so much here,” McStravick says. “I remember my kids playing a game like pickleball in gym years ago. It’s become such a great way of staying fit and making friends. Having this event here is special.”
Miller says the addition of courts at the 8th Street complex for the APP event was welcomed by the growing number of local players. The locals now use the TeamReach app to schedule matches and court time.
“Avalon has really built a big following and having this event here was a great idea, helped along by the new mayor [John McCorristin], who really worked hard to get the additional courts done,” Miller says. “People love the exercise and social aspects. People into their 70s and 80s play, and the courts are always full.”
McCorristin, who succeeded Marty Pagliughi as mayor in July, inherited the job of hosting the event.
“The APP did a great job running a super tournament in the Borough of Avalon,” he says. “Our local volunteers were integral in helping with the smooth operation of the entire weekend. It was a great success, especially with this being our first go-round with this event.”
McCorristin says his office will be following up by studying the “overall impact on the town, which would include our homeowners and businesses.”
“We’ll look at [the event] in detail and determine what improvements could be made if we ran this tournament again,” he said. “Thanks so much to our public works department, our police, our recreation department and of course, our volunteers, for their help and dedication, especially with the heat. A great weekend for all.”
A quick survey during the tournament found that a majority of those milling, lounging, and watching the action were either players, or family and friends of players. Tournament officials reported that more than 500 amateurs and professionals were entered in the event.
Richard Livornese, a touring professional who played high school football and lacrosse, first picked up a pickleball racquet 10 years ago to enjoy “a lighter,” fun sport. He defined the growing professional pickleball phenomenon as “a sport unlike any other pro game.’’
“The reason the pro game is so unique and special is because fans who follow the APP tour aren’t merely spectators like football, baseball, or pro tennis,” says the 22-year-old from Flemington. “Most of the 400 players out here are competing in the tournament, not just watching. That’s what draws so many. The pro game includes the fans as participants.”
Livornese, who finished sixth in the men’s pro singles main draw, reinforces the “why” so many pickleball fanatics have made the sport a lifestyle.
“The cool thing is that the sport is very social and very competitive, and you can build your skills, endurance and get fit while you progress as a player,” he says. “And you play for fun and that makes the work easier. It’s the best workout at any age or physical ability.”
The fervor that reached small-town Avalon has grown over the last decade with hundreds playing regularly, begging for more court time and eventually more courts. The APP event inspired construction of additional courts to accommodate the five-day event.
“The tour needed more nets for the event, and those will stay here when the event is over because they gave us a reduced price for them,” Miller says. “We have so many players here that waiting times were getting longer and longer. Now we’ll have more access. The event was great for local players.”
Noel Wright, manager of Avalon’s Son of a Sailor Seafood restaurant, brought his eatery’s menu to the tournament along with other vendors and food trucks.
“We’re always happy when there are events like this, especially after the summer season ends,” Wright says. “It’s exciting to see a professional event here. Avalon is the perfect summer spot.”
For full results of the New Jersey Open and to stay updated on the APP, visit theapp.global, follow on Instagram, X, Facebook, TikTok, Threads, and LinkedIn.