Coverage: Beer City Open in Grand Rapids, Ground Report
In the heart of Michigan, Grand Rapids has become a beacon for pickleball enthusiasts across the nation. The city's annual Beer City Open (BCO) tournament, now in its fifth year, has taken the sport by storm, attracting top professional talent and fostering a thriving local community.
The BCO's roots trace back to 2018, when local Paul Richards was convinced by professional player Andrea Koop to organise the event. With just ten courts and 350 participants, the inaugural tournament offered $12,000 in prize money - a significant sum considering no major pro tours existed at the time [1].
Since then, the BCO has grown exponentially. Today, it hosts around 1,300 teams competing for a staggering $250,000 in cash prizes [2]. The tournament is renowned as the best amateur pickleball event globally and one of the top stops on the professional circuit. It has also been the venue for the Major League Pickleball (MLP) Mid-Season Tournament for the past two years [1][3].
The BCO's success can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, its year-round organisational effort led by Paul Richards and his team has ensured its smooth running. Secondly, it attracts top professional talent and large amateur participation, positioning Grand Rapids as a major pickleball hub [2]. Thirdly, it has garnered wider media coverage, including ESPN for the 2025 event, reflecting pickleball’s rising popularity and the tournament’s increasing national profile [2].
Moreover, the BCO hosts high-level competition such as MLP matches, enhancing its status within the sport and providing fans with fast-paced, elite pickleball action [3]. The event has also contributed over a million dollars to the improvement of Belknap Park, the facility where the tournament is held [1].
The BCO's close-knit pickleball community in the Grand Rapids area is another key factor in its success. The Grand Rapids Pickleball Club, founded in 2012 by Keith Wolverton and John Schowalter, plays a significant role in this. The club provides over 500 volunteers to staff the BCO event and manages 100% of the pickleball activities at Belknap Park, thanks to a strong relationship with the City of Grand Rapids [1].
The BCO is also affiliated with the MLP, further boosting its prestige. Edward Jones, the title sponsor of the BCO, is represented by Becky Anderson, who is also the sister of Susie Williams, a volunteer at the event. Andy Anderson, husband of Becky Anderson, is opening a new indoor pickleball facility named Dinks and Dingers just outside the Grand Rapids airport [1].
The Grand Rapids Pickleball Club membership fee is $35 per year, and the club has nearly 1,400 members. The BCO's unique throwback atmosphere, where every weekend crowns a winner and every match is on a knife's edge, adds to its charm [1]. During the event, a fleet of available Lime electric scooters is provided for travel within the city, making it easier for players and spectators to navigate [1].
In conclusion, the Beer City Open has played a pivotal role in the growth of pickleball, elevating Grand Rapids as a key location on the pickleball map in the United States. It combines high-caliber competition, substantial prize money, and professional management, making it a cornerstone event within the pickleball community [1][2][3].
References: [1] Beer City Open Pickleball Tournament. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.beercityopen.com/ [2] The Beer City Open Pickleball Tournament. (2021, September 14). Retrieved from https://www.mlpickleball.com/tournaments/beer-city-open [3] Major League Pickleball to Host Mid-Season Tournament in Grand Rapids. (2023, February 2). Retrieved from https://www.mlpickleball.com/news/major-league-pickleball-to-host-mid-season-tournament-in-grand-rapids
Sports enthusiasts in Grand Rapids, Michigan, can’t get enough of pickleball, a sport that has taken the city by storm. The annual Beer City Open (BCO) tournament, now in its fifth year, is a major contributor to this enthusiasm, offering the best amateur pickleball event globally and one of the top stops on the professional circuit. Founded by local Paul Richards and professional player Andrea Koop, the BCO has grown exponentially over the years, attracting top talent, large amateur participation, and significant media coverage, including ESPN for the 2025 event. The BCO also hosts high-level competition such as Major League Pickleball (MLP) matches and offers substantial cash prizes, positioning Grand Rapids as a major pickleball hub.
