NOVI, Mich. – Pickleball is booming — and Metro Detroit is all in. The Association of Pickleball Players Tour, known as the APP Tour, made its first-ever stop in the Detroit area this weekend, bringing professional players, free clinics and enthusiastic locals to the Vibe Credit Union Showplace in Novi.
The sport has been around for decades, but its popularity has surged in recent years, drawing players of all ages and skill levels to courts across the country. The large crowds at the Novi event were a testament to just how deep the love for the game runs in the region.
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“I wanted something active because I retired and I found out people play pickleball from 8 years old to 89 years old,” said Marilyn Waxberg, a player from Howell.
One of the event’s most unique draws was the chance for amateur players to share the same space — and even the same food truck lines — as professional competitors.
“How cool is it that amateurs can be playing right alongside the pros. You’re playing your matches and then all of a sudden you go in the food truck line and you’ve got people right there some of your favorite pros,” said Ken Herrmann, APP founder.
AARP clinics offer something for every skill level
The AARP ran on-site clinics throughout the weekend, giving beginners and seasoned players alike a chance to sharpen their game with hands-on coaching.
“They have a clinic whether you’re a beginner, intermediate. They’re going to give you lessons, so I just came out to get some extra lessons,” said Kathy Bulger, a player from Canton.
Bulger summed up the sport’s learning curve simply: “The more you play the better you get.”
For newcomers, some of the rules can take time to master. APP touring pro Domi Turkovic offered a key reminder for players approaching the kitchen — the no-volley zone near the net.
“If you’re going to hit it out of the air, do not step in. It’s a big no no,” Turkovic said.
Even with the learning curve, the welcoming atmosphere on the courts made it easy for newcomers to jump right in. Waxberg described one memorable moment during the weekend.
“A couple practicing for the pro let me whack a few balls with them, so it was really nice to have someone hitting balls at me like that, so it was pretty exciting,” she said.
The APP Tour’s Detroit stop may be its first — but organizers say they hope to return to the Motor City again.