PGA National Resort is justifiably best-known for its golf courses, most notably the Jack Nicklaus-designed Champion, but there’s much more to the property’s recreational amenities. PGA National Resort, located in Palm Beach Gardens, FL., recently added six new pickleball courts to bring its total to 12. Each of the 12 courts are reflections of the growing popularity of the sport, ,as well as the resort’s ownership commitment continuing to develop one of the nation’s top destination properties.
“When I got here three years ago, we had only two pickleball courts and two others painted on the tennis courts,’’ said Alexandru Pop-Moldova, racquet sports director for PGA National Resort. “Now the program has grown so fast that we have 200 active members playing weekly. We have lessons and leagues and round-robin tournaments. Our biggest round-robin day is Sunday when we get 70 people.
Pickleball lessons, Pop-Moldova said, are available to the public, along with PGA National members and resort guests, but only members and resort guest access to the courts at other times. Each of the pickleball courts is fenced, lit and has the same Har-Tru surfaces as the resort’s tennis courts.
“When we had fewer (pickleball) courts, our members were on them all the time,’’ Pop-Moldova said. “Now with the 12 courts, we’re full with members and resort guests, so everyone is happy.
“We have created corporate events packages for pickleball and tennis. We’ve had some large parties and girls’ weekends. People are driving from as far away as Miami to stay and play.’’
So, how difficult is it to learn to play pickleball… and how similar (and different) is it from tennis? I posed those questions to Pickleball “Coach to the Stars’’ Matt Manasse, who recently visited PGA National for a Pickleball Slam weekend with members and guests.
Matt Manasse
“It’s easy to learn and hard to master,’’ said Manasse, whose students have included former NFL quarterback Drew Brees and Hollywood star Jamie Foxx. “Some things are similar to tennis, but you have to learn the pickleball nuances.
“For example, in tennis, you’re always looking for the aggressive shot. You can get aggressive in pickleball, too, but it’s more about waiting for your opportunity. It’s really a thinking man’s game. A lot of cat and mouse and finding the angles. Every shot is like a chess move.’’
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Photos Courtesy of PGA National Resort