Today marks the beginning of October, which is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Association of Pickleball Players (APP) Tour is hosting is second annual ‘APP Women’s Open Presented by The James’.
This is an extremely unique event that shines a spotlight on the great women who are helping grow the sport of pickleball through competition to fuel the growth of the women’s game. The event is put on to highlight some of the best women in the game and come together for a common cause - breast cancer research.
Presenting Title Sponsor
In most cases, I do not spend much time discussing the particular sponsors of each event. The presenting sponsor is usually highlighted once or twice throughout an article, but does not play a huge role in a tournament preview or recap.
However, the Women’s Open is a bit different. What is ‘The James’?
It is actually The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC - The James). You can see why it is shortened to ‘The James’ for marketing purposes.
The APP recently established the APP Women’s Cancer Fund at The James, which supports research and treatment of breast, gynecologic, and other cancers affecting women. Various elements of the APP Women’s Open, such as ticket sales and custom merchandise, will raise funds for this critical initiative.
If readers are interested, Dr. James’ biography is fascinating, and he truly was a pioneer for cancer research in not only Columbus, but throughout the country.
As part of the festivities, the APP is joining forces with several community partners in addition to The James, including Victoria’s Secret & Co., AARP, CAS, a division of the American Chemical Society, City Wide Facility Solutions of Columbus, Charles Smith Wines, Humana, iNCREDIWEAR, OWL, and Toyota.
Ties to Columbus
The Ohio State University is set in Columbus, Ohio, and so is The James. Dr. James worked with both public and private support in the 1980s and 90s to secure the funding for the world-class cancer treatment facility.
Since Columbus is such an important part of The James’ history, it is only fitting that the APP Women’s Open also takes place in Columbus.
Pickle N Chill is the largest pickleball facility in the Midwest, hosting 22 courts - 12 indoor and 10 outdoor. It has hosted numerous professional pickleball events and is known as one of the best venues in the country for professional pickleball.
Let’s get into the action.
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Event Schedule & How to Watch the APP Women’s Open
Friday, October 3 - Pro Women’s Singles, Champions (50+) Singles, Masters (60+) Singles
Saturday, October 4 - Split Age Pro & Team Event
- (One player below the age of 50 and one player above the age of 50)
- Noon - 6pm EST - Championship Court - ESPN+
Sunday, October 5 - Pro Women’s Doubles, Pro Gold Matches, Champions & Masters Doubles
- (One player below the age of 50 and one player above the age of 50)
- 1pm - 6pm EST - Championship Court - ESPN+
*ESPN2 will carry a linear TV highlight broadcast in the weeks following the event
Weather Outlook
Mid 80s is warm for the Ohio area for this time of year, but no one is complaining on the APP Tour. The weather looks perfect for some outdoor pickleball, with very little chance of rain. The humidity levels are in the mid 60s throughout the event, so between the heat and the humidity, the Franklin X-40 will be playing even slower than normal.
The Draws
Pro Women’s Singles
Top Seeds:
- Sofia Sewing - 5 gold medals on the APP Tour
- Amanda Hendry - Earned bronze in Daytona Beach this year
- Shannon Pretorius - Defending champion of this event
- Daria Walzcak - Earned silver in Daytona Beach this year
Quick Rundown: Sewing is the heavy favorite here, but don't count out defending champ, Shannon Pretorius.
Split Age Pro
Top Seeds:
- Daria Walzcak/Lee Whitwell
- Megan Fudge/Angela Simon
- Allison Harris/Jennifer Gallwas
- Sofia Sewing/Cara Beth Lee
Quick Rundown: When Lee Whitwell plays Split Age Pro she is always the favorite. A little insider scoop: I actually just watched Daria Walzcak in a pro exhibition locally in Phoenix, AZ this past weekend - she also played with a lefty, so she is dialed in on the left side for this one.
The biggest competitor for Walzcak/Whitwell is Angela Simon and Megan Fudge. Angela has three Champions Women's titles with Whitwell this year and knows her game very well.
Pro Women’s Doubles
- Jillian Braverman/Megan Fudge
- Allison Harris/Amanda Hendry
- Shelby Bates/Sofia Sewing
- Riley Bohnert/Daria Walzcak
Quick Rundown: Shelby Bates and Sofia Sewing are coming off their first gold together in Chicago in late August. Sewing actually won gold in the Great Lakes Open with Bobbi Oshiro the event before that.
The favorite, Braverman and Fudge have four golds already this year, but haven't won in the last two events.
