Thank you for the interest in the Candy Cane Classic. We have closed registration early due to the overwhelming turnout. We will be looking at the brackets early this week to determine if we can take any more players in certain brackets. We will expand divisions or offer placement in other divisions as space allows. THANK YOU!!

The Southern Pickleball Association is proud to present the very first tournament in the WORLD'S LARGEST INDOOR pickleball facility. Come be a part of history and play one of the first matches ever in the new 32 climate-controlled venue. The new facility has 16 courts on both the top and bottom floors and is located at the Macon Mall.

LAST DAY TO REGISTER AND BE ELIGIBLE FOR A SHIRT IS DECEMBER 3rd 11:55pm ET however you can still register until December 10th or until event is at capacity.

After playing pickleball, participants are encouraged to head downtown and witness the Macon Christmas Light Extravaganza (https://maconchristmaslightextravaganza.com). Experience 1,00,000+ lights moving in time to music arranged and performed by Macon Pops in historic downtown Macon.

Registration Cost is $60 and includes one event. Additional events are $15.

The schedule is as follows:

Saturday December 16th- Men's and Women's Doubles

Sunday December 17th - Mixed Doubles

Competition each day may begin as early as 8:00 AM. Specific start times for each event will be posted and emailed to players approximately one week prior to the event.

Format of play will be round robin followed by medal brackets or medal matches for brackets with four teams or more. Three team brackets will play a double elimination round robin.

As registration proceeds, tournament management reserves the option to combine brackets as needed if brackets do not fill. If brackets are combined to create playable brackets, awards will be based on the original division and not the combined bracket. Brackets will be combined by age if possible to avoid combining skills.

Skills levels include 2.5,3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5+.

Age groups are 18+, 35+, 50+, 60+, 70+

A team must play at the skill level of the higher rated player (or higher) and the age group of the younger player. Age is calculated as of 12/31/2023.

RATINGS

- PickleballBrackets.com ratings will be used.

-Players with a UTPR or DUPR rating that is higher than their PickleballBrackets.com calculated tournament rating may be moved to the higher level at the discretion of the tournament director.

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You may register and identify your partner or request "Need partner". Your partner must register within five days of your registration or the team will be moved to the wait list. When the identified partner registers after the five day grace period, the team will automatically move from the wait list back to the active list if there is a slot available and both teams have paid. If a player needs a partner, the team will automatically move from the wait list to the active list once a partner is identified, registers, and both players have paid if there is an available slot to move to. NOTE: Your spot in the tournament is not guaranteed until your partner has registered and all fees have been paid in full.

It is a player's responsibility to find a partner and not the tournament director's

There are no referees. Matches are self-monitored. If a referee is requested, we will do our best to provide one.

Additional Information

The Southern Pickleball Association (SP) sanctions tournaments in 8 southern states. Southern Pickleball memberships are $30. SP memberships allow players to play in all Southern Pickleball sanctioned tournaments and leagues. SP maintains rankings for all players. Players can check their ratings at Pickleballbrackets.com. Southern Pickleball membership is not required for this benefit tournament.

Brackets/Events will be round robin with single elimination brackets to follow. Players are guaranteed 3 matches per event. More play for your money.

LODGING:

We offer a Southern Pickleball special rate of 10% off the Bar rate. You must call the hotels directly for these rates and to make reservations to receive this rate as it is NOT offered online. If you are a CHOICE member you do receive your Choice points with this rate.

Sleep Inn North (walking distance to many restaurants)

3928 Riverplace Dr.

Macon Ga, 31210

Tel: (478) 757-8300

Located at exit 169 off of I-75

There is also two sister hotels also located at this exit.

Comfort Inn & Suites Macon North I-75

3935 Arkwright Rd.

Macon, Ga 31210

Tel: (478) 757-8688

Country Inn & Suites Macon North

3915 Arkwright Rd

Macon, Ga 31210

Tel: (478) 721-0031

All of these hotels must be contacted directly by phone to book a reservation to receive the Southern Pickleball rate as it is not offered online.

Cancellation deadline is 9pm November 20, 2023. No refunds for any reason after that date unless a player has purchased weather and injury cancellation insurance. Cancellations prior to that date are subject to a $15 administration fee. Your spot in the tournament is not guaranteed until your partner has registered and all fees have been paid in full.

Players who do not show up for their event and fail to notify the tournament director prior OR leave the event without notifying the tournament director after it has started are subject to a $25 fine. The fine must be paid before registering for any other Southern Pickleball events.

ALL REFUNDS will be sent the week after the tournament is completed.