APP Tour Brings World-Class Pickleball: The Association of Pickleball Players (APP) Tour is making its debut in the Cayman Islands with a tournament set to take place on Grand Cayman from March 20-23, 2025. The event, hosted by Pickleball Cayman, offers prize money for Open Division players despite not carrying APP Tour points.
Pickleball Cayman: A Growing Hub for the Sport
Pickleball Cayman, the tournament’s host venue, has expanded rapidly since its launch in July 2023. Originally featuring just six courts, the facility now boasts 24 lighted courts, with 12 under a roof.
Unlike traditional clubs, Pickleball Cayman does not require membership fees; instead, players pay for court rentals, lessons, and clinics. The facility is conveniently located just five minutes from the main port, attracting local players and visiting cruise passengers.
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Tournament Highlights and Schedule
The tournament features a variety of competitions, including singles, doubles, and mixed doubles for professional players. A unique addition to this event is the Pro-Am tournament on March 19 from 2-5 p.m. EST.
This 16-team round-robin event pairs amateurs with elite professionals, including top U.S. players like Megan Fudge, Kyle Yates, Bobbi Oshiro, Jack Munro, Yana Newell, Amanda Hendry, and Jack Foster.
The Open Division schedule is as follows:
- Thursday, March 20 – Women’s and Men’s Singles
- Friday, March 21 – Women’s and Men’s Doubles
- Saturday, March 22 – Mixed Doubles
Unlike other APP events, there will be no Championship Sunday, meaning all Open Division events will conclude on their respective days. Additionally, no live-streaming will be available for this tournament.
Top Players to Watch
Several of the APP Tour’s top competitors will participate in the tournament, including:
Women’s Division
- Megan Fudge (#1 Women’s Doubles APP player) – Playing Mixed Open with Jack Munro and Women’s Open with Nicole Pitts.
- Bobbi Oshiro (#1 Mixed Doubles APP player) – Competing in Mixed Open with Richard Livornese, Jr. and Women’s Open with Judit Castillo.
- Yana Newell (#2 Women’s Singles APP player) – Entering Women’s Singles Open, Mixed Open with Patrick Kawka, and Women’s Open with Carolina Mayorga-Perry.
- Amanda Hendry (#3 Women’s Singles APP player) – Participating in Women’s Singles Open, Mixed Open with Ryler DeHeart, and Women’s Open with Allison Harris.
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Men’s Division
- Jack Munro (#2 Men’s Doubles APP player) – Playing Mixed Open with Megan Fudge and Men’s Open with Richard Livornese, Jr.
- Kyle Yates (Pro Pickleball Hall of Famer) – Entering Mixed Open with Judit Castillo and Men’s Open with Jack Foster.
- Jack Foster (#3 Men’s Singles APP player) – Competing in Men’s Singles Open, Mixed Open with Alexa Schull, and Men’s Open with Kyle Yates.
- Patrick Kawka (#8 Men’s Doubles APP player) – Playing Mixed Open with Yana Newell and Men’s Open with Ryler DeHeart.
Other notable APP touring pros competing include Ryler DeHeart, Andre Mick, Judit Castillo, Alexa Schull, Riley Bohnert, Richard Livornese, Jr., and Ben Newell. Local talent from the Cayman Islands will also be represented, with teaching pros Michael Carse, Jerry Beck, Dana Karani, and Steve Thompson competing in Open Divisions.
Weather and Tournament Atmosphere
While much of the northern United States faces winter storms, Grand Cayman promises ideal playing conditions, with temperatures expected to range between 74 and 84 degrees throughout the event.
The tournament is set to provide a unique opportunity for local players to compete against some of the sport’s top-ranked professionals while also drawing attention to the growing pickleball scene in the Caribbean.
News in Brief: APP Tour Brings World-Class Pickleball
The APP Tour is hosting its first-ever tournament in the Cayman Islands from March 20-23, 2025, at Pickleball Cayman. The event features top-ranked professionals and a unique Pro-Am tournament. With warm weather and growing interest in pickleball, this event marks a significant step in expanding the sport’s global reach.
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