The Rotary Club of Hot Springs Village recently hosted Jim McPherson from the HSV Pickleball Club, who highlighted the sport’s origins in 1965 and its rapid growth both nationally and locally. McPherson, a Villager since 2003 and a passionate player since 2006, noted that the Village now has about 700–800 regular pickleball players and 14 courts, a significant increase from the sport’s humble beginnings with just one court and a dozen players. He also praised the HSV Property Owners Association Board for expanding court availability, recognizing pickleball’s importance to the community.
Nationally, pickleball boasts over 48 million players and nearly 7,000 courts, with equipment sales projected to grow from over $1 billion in 2023 to $4 billion by 2033. The HSV Pickleball Club, established in 2012, supports the community with free clinics every Friday and promotes the sport as a popular local amenity. The Rotary Club, which welcomes all community members, encourages visitors to attend their meetings and programs to learn more about their activities and fellowship.
