Sports
Pickleballers Rejoice – Crush Yard Brings its Award-Winning “Eatertainment” Concept to Orlando. Set to Open Later this Year Near Walt Disney World in Central Florida
ORLANDO, Fla. /PRNewswire/ — In one of the most anticipated deals in Orlando, Crush Yard – the pickleball “eatertainment” innovator, has started construction on its 2nd corporate location in the Formosa Gardens Village on US Highway 192 and across from Walt Disney World. This 47,861 square foot space, located at 7840 West Irlo Bronson Highway (US 192) in Kissimmee, Florida promises fun for the entire family, featuring 10 indoor pickleball courts, a gourmet restaurant + full bar, many private event spaces and an arcade. Grand opening is anticipated for Q4 2024.
“I’m pumped to head down to Orlando with Crush Yard,” declares Matt Manasse, known as Pickleball’s “Coach to the Stars”. “Orlando has long been one of our sport’s hotspots and Crush Yard’s a perfect fit for the community. Whether you’re a serious player or trying pickleball for the first time, Crush Yard’s the perfect place to play, enjoy a beer, and phenomenal food.”
Crush Yard opened its award winning first location in Mount Pleasant outside of Charleston, SC in September 2023. Named the Best Place to Play Pickleball in Charleston, the thriving pickleball destination sells out leagues and tournaments as its restaurant, run by Executive Chef Brandon Buck, has quickly become a local favorite serving up “elevated comfort food”.
With app-driven food & beverage purchases, court reservations, class and tournament registrations, Crush Yard’s innovative tech stack provides maximum guest convenience. Several self-pour “Beer Islands” feature dozens of brews on tap with customers helping themselves at will. A full bar with dozens of TV’s, cocktails, and a curated wine selection will be front & center at Crush Yard Orlando.
While everyone is welcome at Crush Yard, Members receive additional perks, including tons of free play, discounted food & drinks, and other special privileges such as dedicated member hours and early reservations. Crush Yard’s regular events draw in the local community with favorites like glow in the dark pickleball, sports event viewing parties on two huge video walls, trivia nights, cornhole and more. With unrelenting demand for pickleball courts in and around Central Florida, the community has already begun requesting court time and private events at Crush yard Orlando.
Those who sign up for memberships prior to grand opening lock in lower pricing for their first year as well as gain access to private preview events prior to opening to the general public.
“We think this premium location in one of the world’s most popular destinations will give locals and Orlando’s millions of visitors, an unforgettable experience. There’s really nothing else like it” says Craig Coyne, Crush Yard’s Chief Strategy Officer.
Crush Yard was represented on the lease by its national master broker, Bobby Palta of BLVD Retail while Jason Kaiser and Robert Holihan of SRS Retail represented the Landlord.
A third corporate location, Crush Yard Nashville in Brentwood, TN is in permitting with opening planned for Q3 2025.
Crush Yard investors include Thasunda Duckett, CEO of TIAA, John Zimmer, Founder of Lyft, Grammy Award winning artist Wyclef Jean, and NFL legends Brian Dawkins, AJ Green and Golden Tate.
Crush Yard Orlando (opening Q4 2024) is located in the heart of the Central Florida Tourist Corridor west of Interstate 4 on US Hwy 192 and just off the SR 429 Beltway – across from Disney’s Animal Kingdom and nearby to ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Margaritaville Resort, the Town of Celebration.
For franchising opportunities, contact John Oldham : john@crushyard.com
To book a private event, contact Mat Norman : mat@crushyard.com
For real estate site submissions, contact Bobby Palta : bp@blvdretail.comCrush Yard Orlando address 7840 West Irlo Bronson Highway (US 192) – Kissimmee, FL 34747 Crush Yard website http://crushyard.com Crush Yard Instagram @crush.yard http://instagram.com/crush.yard Crush Yard brand video https://youtu.be/3oEA09Z1ARU?si=0U2VCwEGtjgxtseo BLVD Retail website http://blvdretail.com Formosa Gardens Village website https://formosagardensvillage.com Crush Yard franchising website https://www.crushyardfranchising.com
https://social.prnewswire.com/campaign/6CB881CF-6BF8-465B-BF39-FE8B6F004069?wp=true
SOURCE Crush Yard
Sports
Chili’s Takes the ‘19th Hole’ Literally With Golf Course Pop-Up
Chili’s took the 19th-hole tradition to a new level with a limited-time golf course pop-up in Burbank featuring food, specialty margaritas and exclusive golf apparel.
BURBANK, Calif. — Chili’s Grill & Bar took its casual-dining game onto the golf course with a limited-time experience celebrating one of golf’s favorite traditions: the 19th hole.
The restaurant chain transformed the clubhouse at DeBell Golf Club in Burbank, California, into the Chili’s Golf Club, a two-day pop-up held Aug. 28–29. The event welcomed golfers and fans to enjoy Chili’s favorites, specialty drinks and a golf-inspired apparel collaboration.
The concept played off the traditional “19th hole” — the post-round gathering spot where golfers grab food and drinks, talk about the day’s round and, perhaps, make those missed putts sound a little closer than they actually were.
Chili’s Meets the Golf Course
Guests at DeBell could stop by after playing 18 holes — or simply visit the clubhouse — for Chili’s menu favorites such as the Triple Dipper. The pop-up also featured golf-themed drinks including the Transfusion Marg and Tee Time Marg, created specifically for the Chili’s Golf Club experience.
The promotion also teamed Chili’s with active-lifestyle apparel brand Rhoback for a limited-edition Rhoback X Chili’scollection featuring the Chili’s Golf Club crest. The lineup included performance polos, hoodies, quarter-zips, crewnecks and golf hats.
“Chili’s is the people’s clubhouse, so it only made sense to bring that spirit to the course,” George Felix, chief marketing officer and executive vice president of Brinker International, said in announcing the campaign.
Food, Golf and Entertainment Collide
Chili’s extended the promotion beyond the course with a campaign film celebrating everyday golfers — particularly those whose enthusiasm for the game may be considerably stronger than their scorecards.
The film featured appearances by Wesley Bryan, Caleb Pressley, Jena Sims Koepka, Chaz Bowker, Josh Kelley and JaNa Craig, bringing together golf, entertainment, food and lifestyle culture around the familiar 19th-hole tradition.
Although the Burbank pop-up lasted only two days, the campaign offers another example of restaurant brands looking beyond the dining room to connect food with sports, entertainment and fan culture.
For Chili’s, that meant finding a place where burgers, margaritas, golf stories and questionable scorecards already seemed like a natural fit.
Source
- Chili’s — “Chili’s is Fulfilling Every Golfer’s Dream by Opening on a Golf Course. Yes, Really.” — Original Aug. 26, 2026 press release announcing the Chili’s Golf Club promotion.
Related Links
- Chili’s Golf Club — Official Event Page — Details about the DeBell Golf Club takeover, food, specialty margaritas and Rhoback collaboration.
- DeBell Golf Club — Official Website — Information about the Burbank public golf course that hosted the Chili’s Golf Club.
- DeBell Golf Club — Golf Course Information — Background on the 18-hole, par-71 municipal course in the Verdugo Mountains.
- Rhoback X Chili’s Golf Club Collaboration — Rhoback’s official page covering the limited-edition golf apparel collaboration.
- Rhoback Official Website — More from the active-lifestyle apparel company involved in the Chili’s Golf Club campaign.
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health and wellness
“Protect Your Skin: Celebrate Sunscreen Day”
“May 27th is Sunscreen Day! Protect your skin from harmful UV rays with broad-spectrum sunscreen and sun safety practices.”
Last Updated on May 27, 2026 by Daily News Staff
Sunscreen Day is a day dedicated to promoting the importance of wearing sunscreen and protecting our skin from harmful UV rays. Observed annually on May 27th, this day serves as a reminder that sunscreen is not just for the beach or pool, but an essential part of our daily routine.
The sun emits two types of harmful UV rays: UVA and UVB. UVA rays are responsible for premature aging, such as wrinkles and age spots, while UVB rays cause sunburn and can lead to the development of skin cancer. Sunscreen works by absorbing or reflecting these rays, preventing them from penetrating the skin.
Unfortunately, many people still do not wear sunscreen or do not wear it correctly. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, only 30% of Americans regularly use sunscreen. This is concerning, as skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, with over 5 million cases diagnosed each year.
To ensure that sunscreen is effective, it is important to choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30. Broad-spectrum sunscreens protect against both UVA and UVB rays, while SPF 30 provides adequate protection for most skin types. Sunscreen should be applied 15 minutes before sun exposure and reapplied every two hours, or more frequently if swimming or sweating.
It is also important to remember that sunscreen is not the only way to protect your skin from the sun. Seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, and avoiding peak sun hours (10 am to 4 pm) can also help reduce your risk of sun damage.
Sunscreen Day is a great opportunity to start incorporating sunscreen into your daily routine. Make it a habit to apply sunscreen every morning before leaving the house, and keep a bottle in your car or bag for reapplication throughout the day. Encourage your friends and family to do the same, and spread awareness about the importance of sun protection.
In conclusion, sunscreen is a crucial aspect of protecting our skin from the harmful effects of the sun. By choosing a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and incorporating it into our daily routine, we can reduce our risk of skin cancer and premature aging. So let’s celebrate Sunscreen Day by making a commitment to protect our skin and encouraging others to do the same!
For more information heres a link to the Skin Cancer Foundation: https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-prevention/sun-protection/sunscreen/
https://stmdailynews.com/category/lifestyle/health-and-wellness/
Sports
CatchCorner by Sports Illustrated Partners With CityPickle to Expand Urban Pickleball Access in NYC
CatchCorner by Sports Illustrated partners with CityPickle to expand NYC pickleball access, adding Central Park, Times Square and LIC courts to easy online booking.
New York City’s pickleball boom is getting a little easier to navigate. CatchCorner by Sports Illustrated, a North America–wide platform for booking sports facilities, announced a strategic partnership with CityPickle that will bring several of the operator’s most recognizable NYC courts onto CatchCorner’s reservation network.
The launch includes three CityPickle locations: Wollman Rink in Central Park, the flagship facility in Times Square, and indoor courts in Long Island City. A fourth site at Brooklyn Bridge is expected to open soon, expanding the footprint even further. The idea is simple: players can discover and book court time through CatchCorner in “just a few clicks,” with real-time availability and built-in payment options.
Why this partnership matters
Pickleball’s growth has been fueled by accessibility, but in dense cities the biggest barrier is often logistics: finding courts, knowing what’s available, and actually locking in a time slot. By pairing CityPickle’s high-profile, high-traffic venues with CatchCorner’s booking infrastructure, the partnership aims to reduce friction for everyone from first-timers to regular players.
CatchCorner CEO Jonathan Azouri framed CityPickle as a key player in expanding access, pointing to the way the operator is repurposing iconic city spaces into “dynamic hubs for sport, community, and social connection.” CityPickle’s Director of Strategic Operations, Nate Hamowy, echoed that community-first approach, saying the company’s mission is to create a place where “everyone can enjoy the game,” and that CatchCorner’s platform helps players find and connect across sports.
The bigger trend: racquet sports go urban
The announcement also signals a broader shift in how racquet sports are being built into city life. Instead of relying solely on traditional clubs or hard-to-access public courts, operators are increasingly activating prominent locations and creating event-like environments around play. In a place like NYC—where space is scarce and demand is high—partnerships like this can be the difference between pickleball feeling like a trend and pickleball becoming a permanent part of the city’s recreation ecosystem.
What to watch for next
- Brooklyn Bridge expansion: The upcoming fourth location could be a major demand driver, especially if it mirrors the visibility and foot traffic of the Central Park and Times Square sites.
- More venue additions: CatchCorner’s model is built for scale. If the CityPickle rollout performs well, it could accelerate additional urban racquet-sport partnerships.
- Community programming: The most successful city courts tend to pair bookings with leagues, clinics, and social play—expect more structured programming as these venues attract new players.
Players looking to reserve court time can do so through CatchCorner’s platform at www.catchcorner.comor via the CatchCorner app on the App Store and Google Play.
The Sports section of STM Daily News is your ultimate destination for all things sports, catering to everyday fans and dedicated enthusiasts alike. We cover a wide range of topics, from the thrill of amateur competitions to the excitement of semi-professional and professional leagues. Our content delves into physical and mental fitness, providing insights and tips that help individuals elevate their performance, whether on the field or in their personal wellness journeys. Stay informed and inspired as we explore the dynamic world of sports, celebrating both the passion of the players and the joy of the fans.
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