Pickleball is creating a wave of excitement just like what KPOP is doing in the United States and worldwide. Over the last few years, pickleball has been rising in popularity. In fact, pickleball is the considered one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States. Pickleball is played indoors and outdoors. It was invented in 1965 as a children’s backyard game in the United States, on Bainbridge Island in Washington state.
Meet Jeff Matusow, the owner of the Pickleball Barn — he will oversee the Pickleball at our Putnam County Wine & Food Fest, August 5 & 6, in Brewster, NY
We sat down with Jeff for a Q&A
Where did you get the idea to start the Pickleball Barn?
I moved from the City to Fairfield County full time during Covid and was looking for activities around my new home. When I could not find an indoor pickleball venue I decided to open my own.
What are some of your influences?
I played a lot of tennis as a kid and really loved the sport. Tennis is a hard sport to play in NYC, so I played very little for the past 30 years. Tennis inspired me to get involved with pickleball which has a similar vibe.
Tell us about what you do and how long you have been doing this?
I opened the Pickleball Barn in the fall of 2022. Prior to that I spent close to 30 years on Wall Street working for banks and insurance companies.
Do you have a base for your pickleball? And where?
The Pickleball Barn is based in Brewster at the Hardscrabble Club. We are open every day from 9am to 6pm.
What kind of audience do you have?
We have over 1,600 members ranging in age from teens to 80+. Pickleball is quite an easy and social game, so our members come from all backgrounds, but share a love of the game.
Do you also have instructions for novices?
We have two full time instructors who offer a full slate of private and group pickleball instructions.
What do you think is attributing with all the attention that pickleball is getting?
Pickleball is easy to learn and extremely social. So, people with little to no racquet sports background can play actual games after just one lesson. The sport is so young that everyone is relatively new to the game, and thus it is easy to meet people.
What are your plans at our fest?
We hope to introduce the great game of pickleball to a wider audience of people.
Our 12th Putnam County Wine & Food Fest, Saturday, August 5, 11am to 6pm, and Sunday, August 6, 11am to 5pm takes place at Wells Park, 98 Oak Street, Brewster, NY.
Tasting Tickets: $25/Advance, $30/Gate
Designated Driver: $10
Pickleball game: $5/for half hour, in addition to either Tasting or Designated Driver Tickets
Children under 15 free.
Must bring photo ID
