PPA Tour, NHL and Other Athletes to Celebrate 'National Pickleball Day' with Inaugural Pickle 'N Pucks Pro-Am

Thursday, August 8 is National Pickleball Day, and to celebrate, the PPA Tour is teaming up with some of the biggest names in the NHL and across sports to host the first-ever "Pickle ‘N Pucks presented by Verizon" Pro-Am at Aspen Meadows Resort in Aspen, Colorado.

The competition, taking place from 3:30-6pm MT, will feature teams made up of the best pickleball, hockey and sports stars in the world and will be shown on ESPN2 in the U.S. and Sportsnet in Canada.

A luxury, three-day experience will be available that marries pickleball with the sights and sounds only Aspen can provide. 

• Tuesday, August 6 – The festivities kick off with social pickleball and a meet and greet with the athletes followed by the NetJets Welcome Dinner at world-renowned Catch Steak Aspen. 
• Wednesday, August 7 – Participants will have the incredible once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ride with cycling great Lance Armstrong through the Maroon Bells - one of the most scenic trails in the world. 
• Thursday, August 8 – All attendees will enjoy a VIP experience during the marquee Pickle 'N Pucks Pro-Am. The week will be chock-full of pickleball clinics, lessons, pro-ams and more on the courts at Cascades Tennis at Aspen Meadows Resort.

"Pickleball is a sport for everyone, from casual players to elite athletes, and we are excited to bring together some of the biggest stars in pickleball, hockey and more to celebrate National Pickleball Day with Pickle ‘N Pucks presented by Verizon in Aspen," said Connor Pardoe, Founder and CEO of the PPA Tour. "The week will be a can’t-miss event for pickleball lovers and those looking to experience the great lifestyle Aspen has to offer."

Tickets to the Thursday Pickle ‘N Pucks Pro-Am are on sale at tixr.com/PPA.

Who’s Playing

Justin Williams – Williams is a three-time Stanley Cup Champion, winning titles with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006 and Los Angeles Kings in 2012 and 2014. A former Hurricanes captain and Conn Smythe Trophy winner as playoff MVP, Williams recorded 15 points (7 goals, 8 assists) in nine career Game 7s, which is the most career Game 7 points by any player in NHL history.

Ben Johns – The PPA Tour world No. 1 on the men’s side, Johns was the first player in pickleball history to reach 100 career Gold Medals.

Anna Leigh Waters – The PPA Tour world No. 1 on the women’s side. The 17-year-old holds more Triple Crowns (winning singles, doubles and mixed doubles at the same event) than any other player.

Collin Johns – Johns has 31 PPA Tour Gold Medals and is currently ranked No. 3 in Men’s Doubles. The former tennis player is one of the best pickleball coaches in the world. 

Genie Bouchard – The former Women’s Tennis Association world No. 5 and 2014 Wimbledon finalist, Bouchard has begun her professional pickleball career on the PPA Tour.

John Isner – Isner reached the 2018 Wimbledon semifinals and was ranked as high as No. 8 on the ATP World Tour.

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