Co-founder of The Pickleball Club Throws First Pitch at New York Mets Game

March 27, 2024 – Sarasota

Matt Gordon, CFO and co-founder of The Pickleball Club, a firm founded in 2019 that develops and operates private, membership-based luxury indoor pickleball facilities throughout Florida, recently threw the ceremonial first pitch during Saturday’s New York Mets spring training game against the Houston Astros at Clover Park in Port St. Lucie. 

The event kicked off the official launch of membership sales for the St. Lucie West club location, serving the communities in Port St. Lucie and Fort Pierce. During the game, The Pickleball Club staffed two tents to allow interested individuals to learn more about membership and the world-class facility that is opening soon just blocks away from the stadium. The first 500 spectators at the game received co-branded New York Mets and The Pickleball Club paddles. 

In 2019, Gordon teamed up with longtime business partner Brian McCarthy and his wife Valerie to launch The Pickleball Club. The first club opened in 2023 in the Lakewood Ranch area of Sarasota, with additional clubs coming to Greenacres, Bonita Springs, Fort Myers, Pinellas Park, Orlando, The Villages and Venice. 

“There’s a reason they call them the ‘Amazing Mets’,” said Gordon. “We couldn’t imagine a better partner and event to help spread the word about our club. Baseball has been America’s pastime for over a century. Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the U.S. and has over 50 million players. It is our mission to provide pickleball enthusiasts with an unparalleled facility and opportunities to spend time with family and friends, taking part in an activity together that they love. Seeing all the families and friends here today, we’re simply doing what baseball and the New York Mets have done for a long time.”

The Pickleball Club St. Lucie West is located at 445 NW Enterprise Drive, less than one mile from Clover Park. The 33,293-square-foot complex will feature championship-grade pickleball courts, Pickles café, Dinks pro shop, locker rooms and a lounge. The second-floor players’ lounge mezzanine will house a bar, lounge, viewing area to the courts below, offices, conference rooms and storage. The space will also include a players’ courtyard with two outdoor pickleball courts and two bocce ball courts with canopy shades.

The Pickleball Club’s third location in Village Park Center, located near The Villages, will feature 16 indoor courts and is set to open later this year.  

For more information, visit ThePickleballClub.com.