What started as a small idea in 2024 quickly grew into something unforgettable...
Last year, a few passionate members from Mayfair West decided to travel to Naples, Florida, to experience the world’s largest and most prestigious pickleball tournament — the US Open Pickleball Championships. Inspired by that experience, and especially by the success of our own coaches Amy Hiltz and Melissa Cutler, who both medaled in 2024, a bigger dream took shape: Let’s take a team to compete at the 2025 US Open.
And that’s exactly what we did.
With the vision set, we launched a year-long training plan at Mayfair West, including Train Like a Pro sessions and Advanced Tourney Prep programs to get our players ready. The goal? Compete with the best — and represent both Canada and Mayfair with pride on the global stage.
Fast forward to April 2025. Armed with paddles, passion, and plenty of support, 18 Mayfair members — along with family, friends, and fans — made the trip to Naples. With over 3,500 players from 40+ countries, 65+ courts, and even legends like Ivan Lendl and Andre Agassi in the mix, this tournament was no small feat. But our Mayfair team was up for the challenge.
And what a week it was.
Across 8 intense days — each stretching 9 to 12 hours — our team didn’t just compete. We bonded. We supported one another. And most importantly, we won.
Medal Winners – 2025 US Open Pickleball Championships:
- Relly Meltzer – Double Gold
- Mike Kessel – Gold & Bronze
- Amy Hiltz – Gold
- Carol Mok – Gold
- Ken Crosina – Gold & Bronze
- Guy Shram – Gold
- Nicole Pollak – Bronze
- Jen Bradlow – Bronze
- Dennis Chaupis – Bronze
Unmatched Success
Two more of our athletes placed 4th in highly competitive divisions. While the tournament doesn’t officially track club-based medal counts, no other club in the world came close to matching Mayfair’s success.
Our court-side pop-up gazebo quickly became a gathering point — not just for our team but for fellow competitors, event organizers, and fans alike. The energy, camaraderie, and constant cheering made Mayfair one of the most talked-about clubs at the event.
When we weren’t playing, we made the most of our time with team dinners, celebratory lunches, and even a sunset boat cruise through Naples’ scenic waterfront.
What’s Next?
We’re already setting our sights on next year. Training for the 2026 Minto US Open Pickleball Championships (April 11–18) kicks off in just a week, and we expect an even larger group to take part.
From a few friends with paddles to a medal-winning team, Mayfair West has truly made its mark on the global pickleball stage — and we’re just getting started.
Learn More
If you’d like to learn more about Pickleball at Mayfair Clubs, please email Ken at kcrosina@mayfairclubs.com.
