APP Great Lakes Open Pickleball Tournament: The Greater Midland Tennis Center will host the first-ever APP Great Lakes Open pickleball tournament from August 12–17. The event will welcome around 500 players, including professionals and amateurs, and offer $100,000 in prize money. Admission is free, and all matches will take place at the Midland, Michigan facility.
A New Tradition in the Making
The Greater Midland Tennis Center, known for hosting major tennis events like the Dow Tennis Classic, is now turning its attention to pickleball. Jeff Rekeweg, the center’s executive director, hopes this new event becomes a yearly tradition.
“This is the first year for us, so we’re hoping to have a nice push of registrations,” Jeff Rekeweg said. “I’ve had a lot of people asking about it, so I think it will be a lot of fun, and we’re hoping to have the place packed.”
Professionals and Amateurs Alike
As of Monday, around 400 players had signed up, with 100 professionals and 300 amateurs. Registration closes Tuesday evening, and organizers hope the final number reaches 500.
The pros will travel from across the country, while most amateur players will come from Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Canada.
“It’s a great opportunity (for amateur players). One of the reasons we partnered with the APP is because of how they focus on amateur players,” Jeff Rekeweg noted. “We’ll have high-level pro divisions, but amateurs are a key part to the APP’s success, and here at the tennis center, that matches up well (with our vision).
“… The APP wants to see growth in pickleball overall, and when you look at the success of a tournament, you look at the number of participants,” he added. “When amateurs get involved, that side can grow even more than the pro side can.”
Spotlight on Sofia Sewing
One of the event’s big draws is Sofia Sewing, a top-ranked player on the Association of Pickleball Players tour. The Miami athlete, who played in the 2023 Dow Tennis Classic, has since switched from tennis to pickleball.
“One cool thing is that Sofia Sewing – who played doubles in the 2023 Dow Tennis Classic and is now the No. 1 women’s player on the APP tour – will be here,” Jeff Rekeweg noted. “She won the APP tournament in New York this year. Two years ago, I was there in New York for that tournament, and Sofia was playing in her first (APP) tournament and lost in qualifying. One year later, she won the whole thing.”
Tournament Schedule and Details
Qualifying matches begin Tuesday, August 12. The main tournament starts Wednesday, August 13, and runs daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The finals are set for Sunday, August 17, beginning at noon.
Professional matches will be played on the center’s seven outdoor pickleball courts. Amateurs will compete on tennis courts modified for pickleball. If it rains, games will move indoors.
“That’s one thing they (the APP) liked about our facility – that we can move indoors, if needed,” Jeff Rekeweg said.
Players can register in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. The fee is $100 per person, with a higher cost for non-USA Pickleball members.
“You’ll see some of the best players in the whole world, and admission is free. We’ll have food and beverages, including adult beverages, for sale, and the play will be awesome,” Jeff Rekeweg said.
“You’ll see high-level and low-level amateurs. You can be a relative beginner and still play,” he added. “We’ll have over 250 divisions based on gender and skill level, and all skill levels are welcome.”
News in Brief: APP Great Lakes Open Pickleball Tournament
The first APP Great Lakes Open pickleball tournament will take place August 12–17 at the Greater Midland Tennis Center in Michigan. Around 500 players, including 100 professionals, will compete. The event is free to attend and features more than 250 divisions and $100,000 in prize money.