Pickle and Social began as a vision to create a unique destination combining a chef-inspired menu, signature drinks, and live entertainment, along with premier indoor and outdoor pickleball courts. Whether you come for the competition or stay for the music, we have something fun for everyone.
Our LocationsPickle and Social is the third concept to be introduced under the Competitive Social Ventures ("CSV") Holding Company. Embracing our Mission to bring people together for FUN and authentic shared experiences by creating an unbeatable atmosphere, innovative play, amazing food and drink, and top-notch service.
With Pickleball being named the fastest growing sport in the world, it didn’t take long for our leadership team to become obsessed with the sport. From pickup games to traveling and competing around the country, CSV wanted to share our passion and give all our guests a place to experience the craze of Pickleball.
Dave Weinbach is one of the most accomplished and decorated players in the game.
What’s in the future for pickleball? Weinbach sees great growth worldwide and, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association's (SFIA), the game grew in 2020 to 4.2 million players in the US, an incredible growth rate of 21.3% from 2019. Weinbach anticipates pickleball will be in the Olympics in the next 10 years. As a brand ambassador, Dave would bring notoriety to Pickle & Social as one of the most accomplished and decorated players in the game. Dave is known for his agility and consistency, channeling his mental fortitude into strategic gameplay. He shows intensity on the court and around the world, spreading his dedication to pickleball to new players everywhere.
Read more here.
Zane Navratil has joined the CSV team an as Investor and Brand Ambassador for Pickle and Social.
Zane Navratil started playing pickleball when he was 18, after claiming three high school tennis State Championships in Wisconsin. He played Division III tennis at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater where he earned a degree in Accounting and achieved Academic All-American status. Upon graduation, Zane moved to Milwaukee, took a position as an auditor for Deloitte & Touche, and earned his CPA license. Pickleball, however, was calling his name, so he left the business world in 2020 to play and teach pickleball full time.
It didn’t take long for Zane to achieve high accolades in pickleball; he is now ranked #5 in Men’s Singles, according to the World Pickleball Rankings. His presence and performance at recent tournaments is remarkable – he’s earned over 20 medals in professional tournaments in 2021 alone.
Zane regularly teaches pickleball clinics across the country and is known for a teaching style that is both efficient and methodical, as well as engaging and fun. He has helped thousands of players improve their game through his clinics and private lessons. His driven and competitive personality is well balanced with his silly sense of humor and ability to have fun with his partners, competitors, and students. When Zane isn’t on the court, you’ll likely find him at home with his fianceé, Jenny, and his puppy, Murray, either sitting on a patio enjoying a good taco or on a hike.
“With the constant growth of the sport, pickleball facilities are spreading like wildfire across the country. Given my unique position as a player and instructor, I am fortunate to be able to visit hundreds of facilities annually. The current open and operating CSV venues have proven to show the importance CSV places on creating experiences with first-in-class quality and hospitality throughout all venues,” stated Zane Navratil, Pickleball Pro. “Along with this team’s leadership and commitment to excellence, I am beyond excited to Join the CSV family and do my part to make Pickle and Social a must stop destination for all.”
Learn more about Zane here, and his partnership with CSV/Pickle and Social here.
Merchant was a top ranked national tennis player in India, who transitioned into pickleball with remarkable success. He has won two National Championships in India and played Division I tennis at Southern Illinois University, as well as represented India in the Orange Bowl International Tennis Championships.
He has won Gold in numerous tournaments in the Senior Pro Men’s Division in 2023.On top of being a leader in two sports, in Merchant’s professional life, he holds two titles, one as Senior Vice President of Investments, and the other as Senior Portfolio Manager at UBS Financial Services. For the past two years Merchant has been the oldest ranked player in the top pros in Men’s Doubles and professionally has also been a President’s Club Financial Advisor.
"I love Pickle and Social as an investment opportunity, but also for the people and culture,” stated Merchant. “When I look at the future of Pickle and Social and what is to come, I knew I wanted to expand my role to become a Brand Ambassador. I could not be more excited to help Pickle and Social open locations across the nation.”
Wuerffel currently resides in Atlanta with his wife Jessica and three children. He continues to serve as Executive Director of Desire Street Ministries, speaks at leadership and sales conferences and enjoys coaching his children in their various activities.
At University of Florida, Danny led the Gators to four SEC Championships and the National Championship. Wuerffel set 17 NCAA and UF records, led the nation in touchdown passes, earned the SEC Player of the Year title and culminated his career with the coveted Heisman Trophy in 1996, exactly 30 years after his legendary coach had won the distinguished award. Danny’s 3.7 GPA and leadership off the field awarded him the Campbell Award presented to the nation’s top scholar athlete, one of only two athletes to earn both the Heisman and the Campbell Award.
During his NFL years with the Saints, Danny volunteered after practice with Desire Street Ministries, serving in New Orleans’ Ninth Ward, a neighborhood ranked by HUD as one of the worst in the country. He felt so strongly about the pivotal role Desire Street plays in reshaping communities he became their Executive Director following his NFL career with the Packers, Bears and Redskins. Under Danny’s leadership, Desire Street expanded its reach to support leaders and ministries in under-resourced neighborhoods throughout the Southeast. Desire Street provides coaching, training, retreats and many other resources to the heroes leading change in neighborhoods that need the most support.
His foundation, The Wuerffel Foundation, a a 501(c)(3) public nonprofit focused on inspiring greater service and unity holds an Annual Charity Event called the PickleBowl. This charity event features a line-up of professional pickleball players competing alongside celebrities, former athletes, musicians and entertainers to raise money for the foundation.
“Not only is pickleball a new passion of mine, it’s also the fastest-growing sport in the U.S.,” Danny Wuerffel said. “I am a big fan of the leadership team at CSV, and am super excited about the opportunities for growth of the Pickle and Social Brand."
James Ignatowich is originally from Darien, CT, and was a collegiate tennis player at Vanderbilt. He currently resides in Delray Beach, FL. Shortly after leaving Vanderbilt, James started playing pickleball and turned pro the next year.
After he became a Pickleball Pro, he received a sponsorship deal with Selkirk and is currently in the top 5 PPA Pro Men’s Singles rankings. He has over 10 medals in the Pro Pickleball Circuit and thus far in 2023, he has brought home three PPA gold medals. His love and passion for pickleball paired with his work ethic have shaped him into the athlete he is today.
James was eager to join the team because “As soon as I met the team, it was very clear to me the integrity and close-knit culture of the team. I had heard great things about Pickle and Social from Zane Navratil and Altaf Merchant, and after speaking with Altaf for just 5 minutes I was sold! I am very optimistic about the product, and the market for Pickle and Social venues. I am also extremely passionate about pickleball, and I think that Pickle and Social mirrors that passion.”
One of his most memorable pickleball experiences is when he won Gold in Mixed Doubles Pro and Men’s Singles division at the 2023 PPA Indoor National Championships in Minnesota. In the next five years, James sees the popularity of pickleball increasing tremendously as it is easy to pick up & learn, addicting, and fun!
Riley Bohnert is 18 years old and currently lives in her hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. She has recently graduated high school and is continuing her education at the University of Tampa in Fall 2023. Riley is an animal lover with a golden doodle named Kipper.
Riley started playing pickleball during covid in the backyard with her family, and she fell in love because she could just hit the ball really hard. Her first real tournament was with her dad at the APP St. Louis Tournament.
Her love for the competition sparked and her and her father wanted to play in a tournament every weekend. This grind led her to winning Women's Pro Doubles in the 2022 Indy APP Tournament with her mom, and they took home the gold! Shortly after this, she went Pro!
Riley is excited to join the Pickle and Social team because "Once I saw how much fun Zane and Altaf have with Pickle and Social, I knew I wanted to be a part of the team! Pickleball is all about having fun, and that is what Pickle and Social is all about!"
Her favorite pickleball memory is when her and her mom competed at the 2022 Indy APP Tournament, and it is not because they won, but because of the way the day went. They started out the day arguing with each other because their warm up was so bad, she went to her dad telling him how nervous she was because of how bad the warm up went. Her dad just told her to go out, have fun, and do it with a smile on her face. That changed their mindset and they went to the first match and they played with a big smile on their faces. Then, she looked over and saw that her dad was playing right next to her, and was thinking how cool this sport is - that she is able to play along side of both of her parents.
Riley thinks Pickleball will be played as a collages and high school sport within the next five years. She believes pickleball will take over schools and that so many more kids will be playing, and will turn into the majority playing in tournaments. She believes the kids are the future of pickleball.
Benjamin Bramblett is a Georgia native and grew up playing baseball until his senior year of high school when he switched to tennis and earned the #1 Singles Spot. He went to college for a few months but decided to move his focus onto his own content agency/videography business, Forty1 Media, and produces videos for some of the top names in pickleball. He discovered pickleball in the summer of 2021 through his side job coaching tennis and decided to start the Pro Journey in November of 2022.
Benjamin was excited to join the Pickle and Social Team because "I think the team at Pickle and Social consists of some high-value people and I'm excited to be a part of that crowd. I also can't wait to experience the venues that are planned; I think the environment will be great."
One of his most memorable pickleball experiences is when he first started playing and his uncle destroyed him in skinny singles. Benjamin came out thinking it would be easy and got crushed, and that is where the fire started within him. He also believes that in the next five years, pickleball will be played in the Coliseum.
Danielle Bauers grew up in Alpharetta, Georgia, and started playing pickleball in 2022. Although she is newer to the sport, she has loved being involved in the pickleball community and has developed a strong passion for the sport. She was a D1 collegiate tennis player at the University of Iowa, and once she graduated, she started to play pickleball competitively.
Danielle is excited to join the Pickle and Social team because "I am thrilled to be a brand ambassador for Pickle & Social. Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the U.S. and I am excited to be involved with a brand that will help this growth. I really believe in the Pickle & Social brand, and I am excited to watch locations continue to open and be top destination spots."
Her favorite pickleball moment thus far was playing in APP Daytona and getting to the quarterfinals of singles. This was her first pro tournament, and it really motivated her to continue to work hard.
She believes in the next five years pickleball will only continue to grow to be the most played sport in the U.S. and will have much more viewers on TV because of how fast-paced and how much fun it is to watch.
Jake Tuchmann is a Georgia native and grew up playing tennis. He was apart of the tennis team for five years at Lincoln Memorial University. He graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in Sports Medicine and earned a MBA within a concentration in Healthcare Administration.
Jake discovered pickleball in November 2022, and started his Pro journey in May 2023. Jake is excited to join the Pickle and Social Team because "I genuinely believe in the Pickle and Social teams vision. Their team has some of the most genuine people and they have big plans for the brand. I can't wait to start representing and make a name for myself with Pickle and Social."
One of his most memorable pickleball experiences is his first Pro win at the 2023 PPA Atlanta Open. Jake and his partner played on the center courts, which just made this moment even more special. He also thinks in the next five years pickleball will explode, similar to how golf did during the pandemic. He thinks due to the growing traction of a younger audience, such as Gen Z's and Millennial's, the sport will continue to be the fastest growing sport in America and potentially in the world.
