Battle of the Paddle at On Top of the World Communities
Photo courtesy of Jim Jernigan.

 

Pickleball enthusiasts, mark your calendars! The inaugural Battle of the Paddle Pickleball Tournament will take place from February 28 to March 2, 2025, at On Top of the World (OTOW) in Ocala, Florida.

This three-day tournament promises to deliver excitement for players and spectators alike. The tournament will feature Men’s Doubles on Friday, February 28th, Women’s Doubles on Saturday, March 1st, and Mixed Doubles on Sunday, March 2nd. The tournament is open to the public for both players and spectators.

The event will follow a round-robin format, ensuring that participants will enjoy multiple matchups in their brackets. Depending on the size of the draw, brackets may be split into pools to create a competitive and balanced playing experience.

Players can register online at PickleballBrackets.com by February 20, 2025. The cost to participate is $60 for one event and an additional $10 for a second event, plus a non-refundable service fee of $5 for each event.

To commemorate the event, all registered players will receive a custom t-shirt. Shirt sizes will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Check-in will begin at 7 am daily, and matches are tentatively scheduled to run from 8 am to 6 pm each day. Spectators are welcome to attend the tournament and are encouraged to bring their own chairs to enjoy the action comfortably.

“This is the first annual Battle of the Paddle, and we couldn’t be more excited to bring this event to our community,” said the tournament organizers at OTOW. “We’re looking forward to seeing players of all skill levels come together to celebrate the sport of pickleball in a competitive and fun environment.” Members of the Top Pickleball Club (TPC) at OTOW have been a huge help in making this tournament possible, and the Tournament Director of the club, Steve Brothers, said, “This promises to be an exciting tournament for both TPC and OTOW with players coming from all over central Florida and beyond. There will be events for players in age groups from 50 to 70+ years of age, with ratings starting at 3.0 and going up to 5.0 players.”

Whether you are an avid pickleball player or someone who enjoys watching live sports, this is a tournament you won’t want to miss. Come out to support the competitors and experience the energy of Florida’s pickleball community. Bring your chairs and your A-game!

For more information and to register, visit PickleballBrackets.com.