The Cayman Islands are getting their first pro tour stop from the Association of Pickleball Players (APP) Tour. Set to take place on the island of Grand Cayman, this unprecedented event should be fun for locals and touring pros alike.
The APP Tour is putting on this event along with Pickleball Cayman (the host venue). The event will take place from Thursday, March 20th - Sunday, March 23rd.
While this event does not have APP Tour Points associated with it, there is still prize money on the line in the Open Divisions (Pro).
About the Venue
The facility has been in place since July 2023, and began with just six courts. Pickleball Cayman now hosts 24 lighted courts, 12 of which are under a roof.
Interestingly, Pickleball Cayman does not charge a membership fee. Instead, players just to rent courts, take lessons, attend event or clinics that they book.
In addition to a large local contingent of players, Pickleball Cayman also caters to cruise ship tourists, with it only being a five-minute taxi ride from the main port. With five PPR certified coaches on their roster, the facility also offers high level lesson options.
Weather Outlook
It looks like the northern part of the Midwest United States is getting hit with a large snow storm and cold front this week - not so, in the Cayman Islands! Temperatures between 74 and 84 for the entire tournament will make conditions picturesque!
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Order of Play
Pro-Am Event
Unique to this APP Tour event is a Pro-Am event on March 19th, from 2-5pm EST. Featuring some high level pros, amateurs are getting paired up to play with a pro in the 16-team round-robin style tournament that will feature semi-finals and a final.
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Some of the US based pros that will be playing in the Pro-Am tournament are Megan Fudge, Kyle Yates, Bobbi Oshiro, Jack Munro, Yana Newell, Amanda Hendry, and Jack Foster, among many other top APP touring pros.
Open Division
Schedule of play for the Open Divisions (Pro):
- Thursday, March 20th - Women’s and Men’s Singles
- Friday, March 21st - Women’s and Men’s Doubles
- Saturday, March 22nd - Mixed Doubles
Note - There is no Championship Sunday in this event; all Open level events will play to conclusion on the scheduled day.
Streaming is unavailable at this event
This event will not have any live-streaming available.
Top APP Tour players in the tournament
Women
- 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 - Playing Mixed Open with Richard Livornese, Jr. and Women’s Open with Judit Castillo
- Yana Newell - #2 Women’s Singles APP player - Playing 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 - Playing Women’s Singles Open, Mixed Open with Ryler DeHeart, and Women’s Open with Allison Harris
Men
- 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 - Playing Mixed Open with Judit Castillo and Men’s Open with Jack Foster
- Jack Foster - #3 Men’s Singles APP player - Playing 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 Top APP touring pros who are playing: Ryler DeHeart, Andre Mick, Judit Castillo, Alexa Schull, Riley Bohnert, Richard Livornese, Jr., and Ben Newell, among others!
Notable Cayman Island players who are playing: Michael Carse, Jerry Beck, Dana Karani, and Steve Thompson are all teaching pros at Pickleball Cayman and are also playing in Open Divisions.
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