Davenport Open Backyard Pickleball Showdown: On a Sunday afternoon in Omaha, Nebraska, 16 players will gather for the Davenport Open, a backyard pickleball tournament hosted by musicians Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis. The tournament will use computer-generated brackets and line judges, with best-of-three matches and a best-of-five final. The event starts at noon and could last about five and a half hours if every game runs the full time.
“ I’m not all that good at it, but I like moving around. You know, I’m 51. Conor is, I don’t know, fuck, 45? I don’t remember how old he is.” – (Mike Mogis)
“Yes, 45 I think… It’s good exercise and not too physical. Here, though, there’s a lot of injuries in pickleball, ’cause of all the old people playing it.” – (Mike Mogis)
Oberst believes the top players are his cousin Max and Roger Lewis, who sometimes drums with the band.
Friendly Rivalry and Community Spirit
The tournament is more than just a game. Oberst’s backyard is set up with a pickleball net and new lawn chairs, while Mogis’ side includes his recording studio and guest house. Mogis and Oberst will play the first match together with a friend named Craig.
Mogis joked about his chances, “Every time we played him, we’ve lost. So I might have a very short day.” He laughed and said, “I can’t cheat — it’s not in my nature — but then that is exactly what people think, and so I would probably get away with it.”
The Davenport Open shows how Oberst and Mogis combine their love for pickleball with family, friends, and fun. It brings people together for friendly competition and good times.
News in Brief: Davenport Open Backyard Pickleball Showdown
The Davenport Open is a backyard pickleball tournament in Omaha, Nebraska, featuring 16 players, including Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis. Using computer brackets and line judges, matches start at noon. Favorites include Max Oberst and Roger Lewis. The event highlights community and friendly competition.
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