National Pickleball Tournament in Macon draws people in from around the country
"I think this is probably the nicest indoor pickleball facility I've ever seen."
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A National Pickleball Tournament is currently underway at Rhythm and Rally in Macon. The four-day event, hosted by UTR Sports, has attracted over 500 players vying for the chance to play on the national stage.
Competitors from across the country traveled to Macon for this tournament.
Participants like Yoyo Monroe came all the way from Long Island, New York. Yoyo recently secured her golden ticket for the 60-plus women’s division, showcasing her competitiveness and enthusiasm.
“I feel good because I like going to those competitions. I play competitively. I’ve always been competitive all my life, and I’m looking forward to actually being there,” shared Yoyo.
Winners of the ‘Macon Golden Ticket Tournament’ will advance to compete in Mesa, Arizona for the 2024 National Championships.
“Competitive players are coming from all over the world,” said Yoyo. “So, the brackets will be pretty heavy, and you have to bring your A-game and play the best you can.”
Yoyo also expressed her eagerness to explore Macon during the tournament. That’s why John Roberts, General Manager of Rhythm & Rally, highlighted the significance of Macon hosting such an event.
“Tournaments like this were the goal of opening this facility to be able to bring large, nationally recognized brands and entities to Macon and increase the number of people who come in to see our city, our restaurants, and our hotels and enjoy the sights and sounds and all that Macon has to offer,” he said.
Vice President of UTR Sports, Chase Hodges, praised Rhythm and Rally as an exceptional venue for hosting major tournaments, emphasizing the quality of the facility.
“We’re looking for the best pickleball facilities in the country to host these events. And, you know, after exploring the area and seeing this facility here, honestly, I think this is probably the nicest indoor pickleball facility I’ve ever seen. And I’ve seen quite a few,” said Hodges.
The tournament lasts until Sunday, with matches starting at 8:00 a.m. Spectators are welcome to attend.
