Austin Pickleball Update - Volume 17

July 03, 2024

Hello, and welcome to Austin Pickleball Update - Volume 17!

Wishing you all a happy 4th of July holiday weekend, filled with BBQs, fireworks, and of course, tons of pickleball!

In this issue of Austin Pickleball Update, we have a Texas Ranchers Roundup, local happenings in Community News, and (as always) a huge tournament and event update!

In this issue of APU you will find:

  • Texas Ranchers Roundup - MLP mid-season tournament preview

  • Community News - new clubs coming to Austin

  • Tournaments, leagues, clinics, and community events

  • Austin Pickleball Update social groups

If you’re looking for places to play pickleball in Austin, check out our Austin Pickleball Courts and Clubs page here. 

Let’s dink on in!

Six Zero Paddle Discount Code -  APU

Use code "APU" and save 10%

Six Zero is selling a limited edition Double Black Diamond paddle on the 4th of July. This DBD Liberty paddle is limited to 1,000 total units, and includes a certificate of authenticity and collector’s box. 

Use code “APU” and save 10% all paddle orders and gear from Six Zero pickleball.

Tournaments of the Week

Dink for Pink - Tourney for Robin Altson

Join this tourney for a good cause

Taking place at Dittmar Rec Center on August 17 and 18, this two day, round-robin men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles tourney supports local community member and pickleball player Robin Altson, who is currently battling a rare form of breast cancer. $50 per entry, with all proceeds going directly to supporting Robin. Learn more and sign up here.

Master Your Dinks with The Dink Master

Did you know that 15 minutes of wall drilling is roughly equivalent to the amount of touches you would get in 2-3 hours of doubles play?

More shots = more improvement

The Dink Master is the #1 training aid in pickleball, designed to help you practice your dinks, volleys, and shot accuracy. With the Dink Master, you can control what types of shots you work on while getting in thousands more reps when compared to a normal game. The Dink Master helps you improve your coordination, muscle memory, and overall gameplay on your own time. Use code “APU” when ordering your Dink Master today for 30% off and free shipping.

Texas Ranchers Roundup - MLP Mid-Season Tournament Preview

After a 2-3 finish at MLP Washington D.C. (covered in APU Volume 16), the Texas Ranchers are making moves. 

During that tournament the Ranchers loved what they saw from Christian Alshon fill in Quang Duong so much that they traded up for the #1 waiver wire pick, which they used to make Quang Duong a full-time Texas Rancher.

I'm here for the Avatar Ball Bender as a Rancher

Given his youth, playing abilities, and all-around stellar demeanor, I’m extremely excited to see the future of the Texas Ranchers with Quang Duong. Check out his Instagram account here and get to know our newest Rancher!

Next up for the Texas Ranchers will be the MLP Mid-Season Tournament. This tournament is the only event in 2024 where all 22 MLP teams will be competing, with a double elimination format. 

The Texas Ranchers have a solid revenge match schedule for this tournament. Their first match is against the Carolina Pickleball Club, who defeated the Ranchers 2-3 in a Dreambreaker at MLP Washington D.C. This first match takes place Thursday July 11 at 12pm Eastern, and is watchable on MLP YouTube.

Lets go Ranchers!

If (when) the Ranchers beat Carolina, their next match will be against Dallas Flash Pickleball on Friday July 12 at 12pm Eastern. Dallas Flash Pickleball have beaten the Texas Ranchers 1-3 and 0-4 across two MLP events, and are currently in 3rd place. If the Ranchers fall to Carolina in round 1, then their second match will be on Friday July 12 at 4:30pm Eastern.

We’ll have a recap of the MLP Mid-Season Tournament in APU Volume 18 on July 18th.

Stay tuned to Austin Pickleball Update for the latest news and information about Austin’s professional pickleball team, the Texas Ranchers!

Community News

The Picklr Plans Austin Expansion

As revealed on their website, national pickleball club franchise The Picklr is expanding into Austin in “fall 2024” at 8201 N FM 620, which is right off Four Points near Lake Travis. 

This is huge news for the pickleball community in this area, as there is a dearth of pickleball courts and clubs in this area. The Picklr is currently offering founding membership for the first 150 Austin members to join, which provide discounted membership for life. 

If you aren’t familiar with The Picklr, they are a national pickleball franchise that has sold over 300 franchises, with 92 locations under contract, 38 locations opening in 2024, and 72 new locations opening in 2025. Their goal is to secure their position as the largest provider of indoor pickleball clubs globally, and they recently raised $9 million in funding to do just that. 

Pickleland Approaches Open

Pickleland, located at 21427 Martin Ln in Pflugerville, continues progress towards their targeted July 2024 opening.

The facility is currently scheduled to host the 002 Pickleland Indoor Open tournament from July 27-28, and Pickleland recently posted a progress video of the space on their Instagram.

We're looking forward to seeing the finished Pickleland spaced when everything is completed.

Austin Pickle Ranch Brings on their Director of Pickleball

Austin Pickle Ranch has hired Jeff (no last name given) as their new Director of Pickleball. Jeff comes with a strong racquet sports pedigree, having spent 20 years as a tennis coach and the last 6 coaching pickleball. 

It’s exciting to see many of the clubs around Austin investing in full-time staff roles, and we’re looking forward to seeing the supportive and engaging atmosphere Jeff creates and fosters at Austin Pickle Ranch as the new Director of Pickleball!

APU Paddle Covers are here!

Want to show your pickleball friends that you’re in the know about all things Austin Pickleball while protecting your most prized pickleball possession? Look no further, APU paddle covers are here!

Get your paddles covered!

We have 50 covers available for $10, including a local delivery option. Fill out our interest form here and get yours today!

Upcoming Tournaments, Leagues, Clinics, and Community Events

Community Clinics

Local Austin coach Amy Yarbrough, featured in APU Volume 16, is running a number of clinics in July, including pickleball fundamentals, serve and return, spin clinic, and more. Learn more and register here.

Local coach Jim Kochanski's Meet, Play, Learn is running a number open play sessions at the Northwest Rec Center on July 11, 18, and 25. These events are targeted at players new to the sport who want a social, fun, and supportive atmosphere.

Dreamland is hosting a number of upcoming clinics and events, including Beating the Bangers on 7/9 and Ernes, Let's Get Picklin': Learn To Play Pickleball on 7/7 and 7/21, ATPs, Lobs, and More on 7/16, and DUPR Days of Summer on 7/14 and 7/28.

Damian Spillner is running 2-hour clinics in partnership with Austin Deaf Pickleball on July 20, 21, and 22. Multiple times, locations, clinic types available.

Austin Deaf Pickleball is hosting an Introduction to Pickleball clinic on Wednesday August 14 from 7-9pm at Texas School for the deaf. Paddle and balls provided.

Community Events

Capital City Pickleball is hosting a number of July events, including community nights on Tuesday (7/9, 7/16, 7/23, 7/30), SARC socials on Monday (7/8, 7/15, 7/22, 7/29), and MLP advanced nights on Thursday (7/11, 7/18, 7/25, 8/1).

Waterloo Pickleball is hosting the second semester of their kids pickleball summer camps, starting July 8 and running continually each week through the week of July 22.

Austin Deaf Pickleball is hosting a queen of the court women’s mixer on July 24 from 7-10pm.

Austin Pickleball Leagues

Austin Area Pickleball Tournaments

Austin Pickleball Update Social Groups

Follow Austin Pickleball Update on Instagram for pickleball content and local news and follow our Facebook group to learn about upcoming events.

Top APU Instagram Plays:

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Share this newsletter with your Austin pickleball friends so that they stay up to date around everything pickleball in Austin! 

If you’re looking for places to play pickleball in Austin, check out our Austin Pickleball Courts and Clubs page here. 

Previous volumes of Austin Pickleball Update:

Happy 4th of July holiday again to all of our readers! We hope you get in plenty of pickleball!

Look out for Austin Pickleball Update - Volume 18 on Thursday, July 18, 2024!

See you on the courts!✌️