Premier Pickleball: Building Community, Family, and Service
With the continued surge in sheer numbers and ages of Pickleball players across the U.S., clubs and recreational facilities are responding to the demand for places to play. But what distinguishes one club over another—service suites, courts or community relationships?
At Premier Pickleball in Knoxville, Tennessee, the answer is all of the above. Just open since April and in keeping with its “premier” moniker, service innovation is constant. An inclusive environment and community presence drive activity. And new, unique options and responsive member opportunities, across a spectrum of ages and experience, greet first-timers to founders 24/7 club.
Level Up and Enjoy
The Director of Pickleball at Premier Pickleball, Chris Karges
“As a new club, we are focused on growth and trying to build an atmosphere that every level can enjoy. We also love that we can offer a high-level of teaching and service to level up people,” says Chris Karges, Premier’s Director of Pickleball.
One of Premier’s three full-timers and a pickleball player since 2017, Chris balances club responsibilities with competing in the National Pickleball League’s six-month senior pro tournament play. While the league’s community and level of play still draw her in, it’s clear Premier is the priority. She clearly embodies the club’s tagline: “where passion for pickleball meets family tradition.”
“We’ve based Premier on building a family, an inclusive, real, welcoming community,” she noted. “The owners are the Shaad family, a local Knoxville family that's very invested in our success. They’re present, they play here, and they see this club as an important part of the community.”
Membership Approach
Premier’s membership types reflect a family and community approach.
Founders membership includes free court time and unlimited open play; advance bookings; founders’ events; gear discounts and free demo paddles;
Social membership for individuals and Couples membership includes reduced court and open play rates and social opportunities.
Members gain abundant options for growth and development through interactions with Chris, teaching professional Tito Lladro, and a growing pro player cohort that call Premier home. The service portfolio offers skill, drill, and strategy sessions as well as mindset exercises.
Physical and Mental Skillsets
Chris and some of the team at Premier Pickleball
Clinics include “skill of the week” sessions and a live ball clinic, an on-court, pro-led music-enhanced cardio pickleball experience. Chris and Tito offer “3 and me” or “4 and Pro” lessons that take participants through physical skill improvement, as well as strategy and shot selection emphases. Private lessons include tournament and competition tune ups, and training to improve focus and better handle the mental and emotional aspects of play—all in order to achieve a more competitive, confident player.
“I feel like I am constantly teaching and coaching, which is my passion. It’s even answering texts after a tough tournament or follow-up after a lesson,” she says.
Partnerships and Amenities Fill Out the Bill
Still in phase one of club development, Premier promotes materials used in its six courts, including a seven-layer court cushion that lets members and visitors “play longer and more days in a row,” Chris contends. In addition, Premier is embellishing a whole-person approach to pickleball through partnerships,“to take care of people on and off the court,” she says.
Knoxville-based Stretch Fusion offers stretching and personal training to Premier members. Stem WaVE, a local family practice, offers treatment procedures to reduce inflammation. Next up is a partnership with a nearby Parkinson’s patient treatment center.
Premier’s facility also includes an outdoor lounge and event space that’s already helped the club attract business events, corporate retreats, and local showcases complete with food trucks, delivering on a goal to become a sport and social community hub.
Players on the courts at Premier Pickleball
Looking Ahead
This year, Premier will launch league play, starting up a five-week slate of men’s and women’s leagues for players at 3.0 to 4.5 levels and above. The club also is early on in its junior academy, with junior clinics twice weekly and future camps planned.
After two years of research and visiting clubs to bring the best to Premier, and nearly six months of operation, Chris remains energetic and confident. The family founders’ focus, the sport and social community combination, and the innovations in place and in the future, will keep the club ahead as competitors come into the region.
“We’re just in phase one with plans for at least a couple more phases. We have acres to build on,” she says, pointing behind her back during a Zoom call interview.
About the Author: Laurel Nelson-Rowe is an independent contributor to Empower Pickleball. A longtime business technology and communications leader, she now runs LaurelComms, delivering content for corporate and non-profit partners. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her on the pickleball court, volunteering, or sharing stories on her Substack, My Life Adventurement.