Free hats, water bottles, bags and more will be available during the tournament, and players can pick up customized paddles at the Friday kickoff event before Sunday’s tournament
Hamptonites, grab your paddle and head to the courts—the second annual Hamptons Open is here. We sat down with founder Holden Lipton to talk all things pickle, inspiration and what's in store for this year's tournament.
Sandi Feinberg and founder Holden Lipton celebrate a successful pickleball tournament.
Congratulations on a great first year of the Hampton Open last summer! What initially inspired you to create the event?
last year’s sponsor, Montaukila tequila
The origin of the Hampton Open dates back to around seven years ago. When my brother was 6 years old, he was diagnosed with a medulloblastoma brain tumor. After my family’s experience with my brother being diagnosed with, treated for and beating cancer, I knew that I wanted to provide comfort to families who were going through similar situations. I connected with a few individuals at the Ronald McDonald House and eventually joined their Youth Advisory Council as the fundraising chair. The idea of a pickleball fundraising event came to mind after playing myself. I was like, ‘Wow, this is an amazing sport that all individuals of different ages can play.’ The Hampton Open soon came to be and is a reflection of my love for fundraising, family and pickleball.
Brent Wassner at the crafts table
What can guests expect from the second annual Open, happening later this summer?
We are very excited for the second annual Hampton Open. We have moved the location of the event to Tennis at the Barn in Westhampton, giving us a tremendous opportunity to add more value to players, spectators and sponsors. We will have more pickleball courts this year, allowing us to expand the number of teams available. We encourage people of all ages and levels to play. As well, we have added many new food sponsors and pop-up shops, including a pickleball paddle pop-up shop where individuals can customize their own paddles. In addition, there will be fun and interactive booths geared to kids. It will really be a family event. We are incredibly excited for the second annual event!
Paul Marvin Jr. and Will Chasin midmatch
Can you talk us through the tournament, and how to sign up for the event? Are there any fun prizes for the winner?
The event will begin the morning of Aug. 13 and run throughout the day. When individuals arrive on-site, they will receive a Hampton Open bag with a hat, shirt, towel, sunglasses and various other items. The tournament structure is similar to last year’s: a round robin, which leads into a single elimination bracket. In regard to signing up and donations, we are currently working on a website, which will offer a live tournament bracket.
How do you hope to bring change to the Hamptons community?
Not only are we raising money for Ronald McDonald House, but we have partnered with Hamptons Community Outreach to continue to help all the great work Marit Molin has been doing. I hope to expose families to the sport of pickleball and give them the opportunity to learn how to play. As well, we hope to provide many families with paddles, clothing and other pickleball gear. Pickleball has the ability to bring people together from different backgrounds, and that is the goal my team and I have.
What does the support from the community mean to you and your family? Getting the support from the Hamptons community means the world to my family and me. Our goal is to impact communities around the country, and having the support of the Hamptons community gives us the ability to reach our goals and raise more money for an amazing cause.
Kathy Angele celebrates her win.
What is up next for you and the organization?
Within the next year we are looking to partner with Major League Pickleball to host tournaments on college campuses! This would allow us and the pickleball community to expand our network to our target market.
Is there anything else you would like to buzz for the summer?
We are also hosting a nighttime event on Aug. 11 at 154 Captains Neck Lane [in Southampton]. If you cannot attend the tournament on Sunday, we would love to see you at the kickoff event. We hope to see you all at the second annual Hampton Open! Aug. 13, Tennis at the Barn, 142 Montauk Highway, Westhampton
Photography by: PHOTO BY ROBERTO MATTEO
