Pickleball with purpose: the Beer City Open in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Meet Paul Richards as he shares his journey from tennis to spearheading one of the best pickleball tournaments in the US.
Before diving into the heart of pickleball’s surging popularity and the inception of the Beer City Open, Paul Richards, 71, was in banking and a tennis enthusiast. In 2015, he found a new passion in pickleball — a sport that allowed him to nurture his competitive spirit without the physical toll of tennis. Transitioning from organizing tennis events to becoming a central figure in the pickleball community, Richards’ journey is a testament to his dedication to the sport and giving back to the local area. Here we explore his insights and aspirations for pickleball, the community-driven sport that’s revitalizing the scene in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
On his switch to pickleball…
My shift from tennis to pickleball was fueled by the desire to find a sport that was less taxing on my body but still competitive. The pickleball community welcomed me with open arms. What I found most appealing was the sport's accessibility and the way it allows players to engage at their own comfort level. You can play for four hours; you can play for 15 minutes. Anyone can play and it’s easy to learn; it’s this perfect blend of competitiveness and social interaction.
On growing the sport and the Beer City Open…
I've been an organizer all my life and when I get involved in something, I tend to really get involved because if my name's attached to it, it needs to be run at a certain level. Together with Andrea Koop, who’s a professional pickleball player, we spearheaded this tournament. Our work has propelled the tournament from a modest beginning (prize money was USD12,500 in 2017) to a great event with USD100,000 in prize money, attracting top talent from across the nation.
We have a very enthusiastic team and our board for the Grand Rapids Pickleball Club has continued to promote pickleball in this area.
On fostering a community at Belknap Park…
The transformation of Belknap Park from tennis courts to a premier pickleball destination is a story of community and collaboration. We continue to build out the pickleball facility at Belknap Park and we now have 21 courts, thanks to the help and support of Grand Rapids Parks & Recreation. The partnership with the Grand Rapids community, funded by the city and tournament proceeds, showcases a sustainable development model. This transformation has bolstered the local pickleball community, making Belknap Park a beacon for the sport.
“Our court surfacing partnership with Laykold is crucial and demonstrates our attention to quality and player experience.”
On his vision for the future of pickleball in Western Michigan…
As I look to the future of the Beer City Open and pickleball, we have the great challenge of accommodating a growing sport. My approach to tournament registration and the strategic location of Belknap Park highlights our commitment to accessibility and community engagement. It's about creating opportunities for everyone to experience the fun of pickleball.
On the essence of the Beer City Open…
Amateurs can play in the tournament; so they play and then in between matches or after they're done, they sit down and watch the pros play. That’s the Beer City Open at its best.
The volunteer-driven ethos of it all is close to my heart. This tournament isn't just about competition; it's about enhancing Belknap Park and fostering a sense of community. The support of our volunteers and the unique atmosphere they help create are central to the event's success, reflecting our shared commitment to providing memorable experiences. My goal is for everyone to have a great time.
On the lure of Beer City USA…
For visitors, one of the things that makes the Beer City Open attractive to people is it's right in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids. So it’s a mile from city centre and there are bars and restaurants and hotels and it's Beer City USA! You don't need to rent a car. The airport here is a 10-minute drive to downtown Grand Rapids. You can Uber or bike or even walk anywhere easily.
On Laykold’s role at Belknap Park…
We work with Racquet Sports, an installer here in Grand Rapids, and they have a great relationship with Laykold. On the technical side, our court surfacing partnership with Laykold is crucial and we have the Laykold Pickleball Pro court system. It demonstrates our attention to quality and player experience. We have a pragmatic approach to infrastructure investments, like the new shade structure and observation deck, and this balances immediate needs with our long-term vision for the tournament and the park. We resurface the courts every three years or so, to keep things in great shape. We know and trust Laykold, which is key.
On great service being its own reward…
I think the most rewarding thing for us is doing a great job. My father always said, work for the thank you and the rewards will take care of themselves. Looking back on the satisfaction derived from organizing the Beer City Open, there’s so much gained in the service and the friendships formed through pickleball.
I winter in Florida now, so I'll drive down to Florida from Michigan and I'll take three days to get there, and I'll stop and play pickleball on my way. So I know people everywhere and it's all come from pickleball and a lot of it's through the Beer City Open.
The Beer City Open, a USA Pickleball MMP-sanctioned event, will take place from 9 to 14 July 2024.
Find out more about Laykold's optimised pickleball court systems.