The Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour announced the Pickleball Central Vintage Wooden Paddle Open, scheduled for September 16-21 in Sacramento, California, at Life Time Arden. The tournament will celebrate pickleball’s 60th anniversary by requiring all players to use wooden paddles, just like the founders did six decades ago.
A Nod to Pickleball’s History
All players, including professionals and amateurs, will receive a custom-branded wooden paddle upon check-in. These paddles are modeled after the ones used in the very first pickleball games. The event will include singles, doubles, and mixed doubles competitions.
Unlike an exhibition, players will compete for valuable PPA Tour ranking points and prize money. The all-wooden format will level the playing field, showing who might have excelled when the sport began in 1965.
Statement from PPA Tour CEO
“As the sport of pickleball is currently enjoying a period of enormous success and popularity, it’s important to look back on where we came from and honor the traditions, equipment and style of gameplay that led us to where we are today,” said Connor Pardoe, Founder and CEO of the Carvana PPA Tour.
“The Pickleball Central Vintage Wooden Paddle Open tournament will transport avid pickleball fans and enthusiasts back to 1965, when pickleball first began, but deliver all the community and excitement that the sport brings to players today.”
Venue and Event Details
Life Time Arden, the new athletic country and racquet club in Sacramento, will host the event. The facility spans 78,000 square feet across two levels and has up to 34 pickleball courts. Nestled among tree-filled hills, the venue combines a tribute to pickleball’s past with a modern playing experience.
Life Time Arden has been promoting health in Sacramento since 1953, making it a fitting location to honor the sport’s beginnings while delivering a top-quality event for today’s players.
The Pickleball Central Vintage Wooden Paddle Open highlights the sport’s rich history while giving players a unique, competitive experience. Fans will see how wooden paddles change gameplay and test who could have been the best in the early days of pickleball.
News in Brief: Pickleball Central Vintage Wooden Paddle Open
The PPA Tour will hold the Pickleball Central Vintage Wooden Paddle Open from September 16-21 at Life Time Arden in Sacramento, California. All players will use wooden paddles to mark pickleball’s 60th anniversary. Competitions include singles, doubles, and mixed doubles, with ranking points and prize money at stake.
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