Pickleball Pros

Brandon Walters grew up surrounded by tennis, with his father serving as the Director of Tennis at renowned resorts like Sawgrass and Amelia Island Plantation. His passion for the game led him to a standout career as a 2-time All American tennis player at Clemson University, followed by several years competing on the ATP Tour. In 2016, Brandon discovered pickleball and quickly made a name for himself in Senior Pro events, winning numerous medals. Now based in Greenville, SC, he’s become a highly sought-after instructor, sharing his expertise and love for the sport with players in the area.

Jim Dobran is a touring pro on the APP and PPA tours. He is currently the Head Coach of MLP’s Brooklyn Aces

Jim’s 6.14 DUPR has helped him earn multiple top 8 finishes on tour. A Pro player since 2021, Jim is best known for his upset of Tyson McGuffin and Jack Sock at the PPA North Carolina Open in 2023. 

Before playing full-time, Jim taught Pickleball for 3 years at Pickleball Charlotte and was a high school math teacher for 7 years before that.

Alex Walker is a Professional Pickleball Player originally from Vancouver, BC, who know resides in Phoenix, AZ. Alex was a multi sport athlete growing up, and then played Division 1 tennis at the University of Montana. Alex is a PPA signed player who competes on the Tour. Alex is known for her power, speed, and positive attitude. 

Greg Dow is a Professional Pickleball player originally from Mooresville, NC.  Now residing in Phoenix, AZ, Greg is a signed player for the PPA and tours around the country competing in tournaments. Greg is known for his hand speed, kitchen game, and light-hearted nature. 

Todd Headley is a PPR Certified Teaching Professional who resides in Ashville, NC.  Under his expert tutelage, several of his students are now competing successfully in 4.5 and 5,0 tournaments.

Todd was ranked in Top 10 for APP Masters Tour (60+) for 2023 in Men’s & Mixed Doubles and has numerous medals at such prestigious tournaments as Huntsman, Fall Brawl, Beer City Open and Senior Nationals.

Some notable wins of the past few years include:

GOLD at US Open 2021, Men’s Doubles 5.0, 55+

SILVER at US Open 2023, Men’s Doubles Open 60+ Age (with Mike !!)

BRONZE US Open 2021, Men’s Doubles Open 55+

BRONZE at Nationals 2021, Men’s Doubles 5.0, 50+

Top Ranked Super Senior Pro David Spearman

David Spearman, residing in Suwanee, Georgia, began playing in 2016.  Ranked #1 Men’s Mixed Doubles and #1 Singles Super Senior Pro and #2 Men’s Doubles Super Senior Pro. Former #1 Senior Pro in Singles and former US Open Senior Pro Singles Gold medal champion. Multiple Nationals medalist, including two Gold medals.

GIGI LEMASTER HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE 2021 Gigi began playing pickleball in 2011 and worked her way through the various skill levels to reach the PRO level in 2013 when she won both events in the first-ever professional Tournament of Champions with the biggest prize purse ever paid out at that time for a Tournament. She has won over two hundred Gold Medals, a 6-time US Open Champion, and a twelve-time Nationals Medalist. Gigi has medaled in all of the major tournaments from 2011-2023. She is a five-time International Champion, having won titles in Canada, Finland, and the Netherlands.  In 2021, Gigi was inducted into the Pickleball Hall of Fame. A Certified International Teaching Professional, she helped grow the sport as a USAP Ambassador & Certified Referee for the first 10 years of her career.

Kristin Hickman, who resides in Columbia, SC, began playing pickleball in 2014 in Salt Lake City , UT. She was in the #1 position on her college tennis team for 4 years.

Kristin was the  #1 ranked Female Mixed Doubles Super Senior Pro and a Top 5 ranked Female Doubles Super Senior Pro in 2023  She has won multiple Gold, Silver and Bronze medals at Senior and Super Senior pro level, including: 

· 3 time Gold Medal winning Pickleball National Champion (Singles, Mixed Doubles)

·  2 time Silver Medal winning Pickleball National Champion Runner-up (Doubles, Mixed Doubles

Kristin is Co-captain of APP Masters Pro Team for the 2024 season.

Erica Love is an IPTPA Certified Pro and Director of Pickleball hailing out of the beautiful, sunny beaches of Florida. From the first moment the plastic ball hit her wooden paddle on the gym floors of a YMCA, she was completely hooked. Since then, Erica has become a 5.0 player, a US Open Medalist, and qualified with a Golden Ticket for the APP National Championships for 5.0 MXD. In 2018, Erica began coaching and has found tremendous joy in working with her students. She is known as a strategic coach and specializes in helping people identify their strengths and opportunities by breaking down the mechanics of their movements, giving purpose to their shots, and developing team strategies. You can find Erica at Live, Laugh, Pickleball on Facebook.

Chris Powers is a four-time Nationals Gold medal champion as well as three-time Silver medalist. She competes around the country at the Super Senior Pro level. She competes in the Mixed Doubles and Women’s Doubles categories. She has competed in over 80 tournaments including Nationals in Indian Wells, California, and the U.S. Open located in Naples, Florida. She has won over 200 medals in the four years she has competed. Chris resides in Aiken, South Carolina with her four horses, three dogs, and two pickleball courts. She conducts lessons and camps at her farm called Two Sisters Farm. She loves to teach and her students range from complete beginners to those who play competitively. Chris also runs free pickleball retreats for women diagnosed with any type of cancer through her organization, Women Beyond Cancer.