The Players Courtyard "Groundhog in the Kitchen" Pickleball Tournament promises to be an exciting and competitive event. Scheduled for January 31 - Feb 2, the tournament will take place at Players Courtyard Pickleball Club in Moorestown, NJ.

Players Courtyard Pickleball Club stands out as one of the newest, largest, and most luxurious indoor pickleball clubs in the Northeast. It boasts 13 spacious concrete courts equipped with permanent nets and lines, topped with a brand-new, outdoor-quality Sportmaster finish. Additionally, there are four extra courts in a separate Training Center room designated for warm-ups and practice sessions.

The club's climate-controlled environment features 45-foot ceilings without any columns or obstructions, LED lighting, divider fences between all courts, and a comfortable, well-appointed 2000 square foot courtyard for relaxation and socializing between matches.

The tournament accommodates various skill levels (ranging from 3.0 to 5.0+) and age brackets (9-49, 50+). Registration is $70, which includes a tournament shirt and medals for the winners. Amateur singles, doubles, and mixed doubles skill/age events are priced at $20 each, while 5.0+ singles, doubles, and mixed doubles events are $40 each. It's important to note that players can register for the tournament/events without making payments until January 1st 2025, but all payments must be completed prior to the registration deadline.

For payment, participants can pay online using a credit card via Stripe. Additional payment options will be communicated individually to players if required.

For any inquiries regarding the tournament, please contact the Tournament Director/Committee by emailing roptournaments@gmail.com or texting +1 (908) 800-3616.

Tournament Format and Rules:

Please note that the tournament adheres to USA Pickleball rules in their entirety.

The tournament is designed to provide a fair and competitive environment for all participants, adhering to a structured format and set of rules.

General Guidelines:

Round Robin Format: All tournament events will follow a round robin format, except for the open division.

Events:

Division Merging: Divisions with one to three teams may be merged with another division at our discretion. We will avoid merging different skill levels and will avoid proceeding with a draw if there are fewer than four entrants, unless absolutely necessary.

Pool Play: During Round Robin pool play, matches will be a single game to either 11 or 15 points, with a requirement to win by 2 points. The target score will be determined based on the bracket.

Playoffs and Medal Rounds: These stages will maintain the Round Robin format, featuring a single game to 15 points, also requiring a win by 2 points.

Double Elimination for Open Divisions: Open divisions with six or more teams will participate in a double elimination format. Winners bracket matches will be best 2 out of 3 games to 11, while all opportunity bracket matches, including the bronze medal match, will be a single game to 15. Gold medal matches will be best 2 out of 3 games to 11. Specifically, for 5.0+ open bracket events, bronze medal games will also be best 2 out of 3 games to 11.

Skill Level and Age Brackets:

Participants must compete at the skill level of the higher-rated player or above. Unrated players may be moved to a higher bracket if deemed appropriate by the organizers. In age-based brackets, the bracket is determined by the age of the younger partner.

Please note, the split-age open will be conducted as a round robin with a non-cash prize.

Organizational Authority:

The Tournament Director and Committee reserve the right to modify the format of any bracket, division, or level as necessary to ensure the smooth operation of the event. They also have the authority to change any rules or policies as needed. This adaptability is essential for responding to unforeseen circumstances and for enhancing the tournament experience for all participants.

T-Shirt Deadline:

The t-shirt deadline is January 15th, 2024

Pickleball bracket fees and Stripe fees are non-refundable. Any player who withdraws before the deadline of December 30th, 2024, will be charged a $10.00 withdrawal fee. There will be no refunds for any withdrawals after December 30th, 2024. The t-shirt deadline is January 15th, 2025 as well.

The prize money for 5.0+ open brackets will be divided proportionally based on the number of players registered. These brackets will allocate 75% of the open bracket event fee ($40 per player) towards the prize pool. The payouts will be distributed as follows: 55% to the gold medalists, 30% to the silver medalists, and 15% to the bronze medalists. The total prize money will depend on the number of players registering for each open bracket.

There is no prize money for the Spilt Age Open or Skinny Singles Open.