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More than 200 pickleball players, both from within the city and from six states across the country, will be arriving to participate in this tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The tournament will be an exciting and fun format and hosted in a unique indoor venue,” the event website explains. “Along with pickleball play, there will be a large social component added to the entire weekend. And if this is your first time playing, fantastic! Our tournament is PERFECT for you!”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This event will be the third one hosted by the American Pickleball Tournament in Winter Haven. The first event was hosted last year in August, and another was hosted earlier this year in February.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“We are excited to be coming back to Winter Haven,” said Aaron Del Mar, Executive Director of American Pickleball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Del Mar was invited to Winter Haven by Polk County Tourism & Sports Marketing several years ago. So enamored was he by the city, especially its downtown area and fieldhouse, that he decided to bring his organization’s pickleball tournament there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“You have an outstanding facility at Advent Fieldhouse,” he explained. “When we came out to this site, we fell in love with it. We are honored to be here for our second year and we look forward to many more pickleball tournaments after this one.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Del Mar cites three aspects of Winter Haven that inspire Del Mar and American Pickleball to return time and again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1) The people and community, all of whom have been more than welcoming and supportive of their sporting events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2) The downtown area, with its many unique eateries and businesses, all of which he hopes to experience an influx in its economy through such sports tourism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3) The AdventHealth Fieldhouse, which serves as a unique indoor venue to host these sporting events, especially when protecting against the weather and other outdoor elements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “We have done a phenomenal job of showcasing Downtown Winter Haven and working with the AdventHealth Fieldhouse and team and staff. They are a pleasure to work with. That is what makes these events, and that fellowship we had coming in is one of the main reasons we want to come back.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.winterhavendaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/img_4481-1.jpg?resize=696%2C696&ssl=1\")