Our Club
The Rabun Pickleball Club is where fun, fitness, and friendship come together in the heart of Rabun County. Founded in 2022, our nonprofit club brings players of all ages and skill levels together to enjoy the game and build lasting connections on and off the court. Whether you’re picking up a paddle for the first time or competing for the win, you’ll find a place here — and a community that’s ready to welcome you.
The Rabun Pickleball Club’s non-profit status (501c3) was granted because our club’s mission is based on improving wellness for physical and mental health. Local players can attest to this. Pickleball is much easier on the body than tennis, easier to learn, and lots of fun the first time you try. There is no shortage of testimonies from our weekly players. Since reservations to play are not required, it is a social sport that welcomes guests. Pickleball connects people of all ages and all backgrounds. Today there are more than 48.3 million players in America. Originally considered a game for seniors, the largest growth today is ages under 25.
There are benefits to communities that embrace pickleball.
Did You Know?
Vacationers combine their travel plans with their game plans; even choosing cruise ships that offer the game! Schools are adding pickleball to their curriculums and the game is positioned to be the next Olympic sport.
What is the Club doing to bring pickleball to Rabun County?
Final approval for the Memorandum of Understanding, (MOU) between the Rabun County Board of Commissioners and the Rabun Pickleball Club was unanimously approved on March 26, 2024.
The county has prepared and donated the site, the engineering, and renovated the restrooms. The club continues to raise funds for this project. Phase 1 construction on the courts has been completed with 4 courts lighted for night play. Phase 2 will see additional lighting and facilities added in the future.
How the New outdoor courts will help the community
* We are one of the few counties in Georgia that did not have outdoor courts. We share the gyms we use for indoor courts with the youth athletic programs (basketball, volleyball, etc.) leading to overcrowding that will be greatly relieved with the addition of the outdoor courts.
* Our 10-court design has two courts designated for afternoon programs for Rabun’s youth, coaching, rentals, and special events.
* Pickleball facilities attract year-round visitors which will generate revenues for our parks and businesses.
* The new facility accommodates 40 players at a time. Local charities will benefit from using the facility for fundraising round-robins.
Why play with us?
Rabun County is a popular vacation destination located in a temperate rainforest surrounded by beautiful mountains, streams, lakes, and wildlife. The town of Clayton is charming with a variety of boutiques, shops, and some of the best restaurants in North Georgia. We currently play on 9 indoor, multi-purpose courts and on 10 outdoor courts within a 125-acre county sports complex.
We believe Rabun County will become a premier pickleball destination!
Come and Play!
A state-of-the-art 10 Court Pickleball Complex for Rabun County
Meet Our Ambassador
Tracy Barry
What is a Pickleball Ambassador?
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Ambassadors are volunteers who have pledged to promote the sport of pickleball and the USA Pickleball in the local area that they represent. They work with the communities, clubs, and other various recreational facilities to guide and help build pickleball programs for all to enjoy. These Ambassadors work together as a team within their Districts and across their Region to enhance the development of the USA Pickleball and pickleball. The main prerequisite is a love of the sport and the desire to share our game with others of all ages.
What members are saying…
We hear it every day, “I love pickleball.”
We are bringing our community together-one game at a time!
This may seem over-the-top, but it’s the truth. Pickleball
gave me a better quality of life with lots of new friends after the loss of my husband.
Charlotte Ostertag
Board Member
As a lifelong tennis competitor, I felt I would be lost without my tennis friends. Now that I have discovered pickleball, I’m challenged and I have a large, fabulous pickleball family!
Kathy Fincher
Board Member
​We visit Clayton several times a year from Florida. This week I went out several days to play pickleball with Rabun Pickleball Club and thoroughly enjoyed it. Everyone was nice and very welcoming. I never felt like an outsider and will definitely be back whenever we visit in the future.
Debbie Ritchey
Visitor
I always said there wasn’t a competitive bone in my body. Well, I was wrong. I’m actually a pretty good pickleball player and I win my share of games. It’s really shocking my family!
Wife, mom, and friend.