In this episode of the BeyondTheBaselines.com podcast, host Ed Shanaphy welcomes listeners back for another insightful conversation exploring the latest developments in the private club and hospitality industries.

This installment turns the spotlight on a fundamental—but often overlooked—component of racquet sports facilities: court fencing and surrounds. For decades, chain link fencing and windscreens have been the standard. But as the sport evolves, the question arises—are these traditional solutions still the best fit for modern clubs?

Joining the podcast are two industry innovators from Pickletile: Matt Rineberg, Vice President of Sales, and Brooks Wiley, Head of Strategic Partnerships. Shanaphy first encountered the Pickletile team at the PGA Show and later at RacquetX in Fort Lauderdale, where their comprehensive approach to court development stood out.

Pickletile is not simply focused on building courts—they are rethinking the entire playing environment. From planning and permitting to construction and performance optimization, their work addresses one of the most pressing challenges in racquet sports today: sound and wind mitigation, particularly in the rapidly growing pickleball sector.

In this conversation, the group explores why traditional fencing may no longer meet the needs of today’s facilities, and how emerging acoustic solutions—now recognized by USA Pickleball—are reshaping the landscape. They also discuss key growth markets across the country, including South Florida, Texas, and the unexpectedly strong demand in Chicago.

Beyond infrastructure, the episode delves into the future of pickleball as a professional sport, examining what is needed for long-term growth and sustainability. Topics include the relationship between amateur and professional play, and whether greater alignment with tennis platforms such as UTR could unlock new opportunities.

For club operators, developers, and industry professionals looking to build, upgrade, or future-proof their racquet sports offerings, this episode provides valuable perspective and forward-thinking insights.

With that, listeners are invited to enjoy the discussion with Brooks Wiley and Matt Rineberg of Pickletile.

Artificial intelligence is no longer a future concept in club management — it is already reshaping how private and commercial clubs operate. But according to Louise Fahys, we are only scratching the surface.

Fahys is the co-founder and CTO of Plan2Play, a court and sport booking platform built by people who understand both software engineering and the realities of club life. Her view is clear: the next generation of club operations will be driven by intelligent, conversational interfaces — think ChatGPT-style applications — where members interact directly with technology to book courts, schedule lessons, manage guest play, and personalize their club experience.

AI is already easing the workload for Directors of Racquets, Golf, and Operations. Tasks that once required hours of manual setup — like creating round robins, allocating courts, or balancing player levels — can now be handled in seconds. Names go in, constraints go in, and AI produces fair, efficient scheduling by level, gender, or randomization.

And that, Fahys says, is just the beginning.

The real shift will come through dynamic pricing. Much like airlines adjust pricing based on demand, clubs will increasingly use AI to price court time, tee times, lessons, clinics, amenities, and guest fees in real time. One-hour bookings will replace fragmented half-hour gaps. Utilization improves. Revenue becomes more predictable. Member experience improves.

AI will also validate long-held assumptions in club operations. Fahys notes that most club professionals already understand that the average lifetime value of a pickleball participant differs from that of a tennis member — and that tennis often differs again from padel or squash.

AI won’t just confirm those differences; it will quantify them. That data will influence everything from facility development to membership structures, programming decisions, and long-term capital planning for both private clubs and commercial operators.

One of the most challenging areas for clubs, particularly member-owned facilities, is change. Software transitions are often resisted — not because the technology isn’t effective, but because long-standing habits and informal traditions are deeply ingrained.

Unspoken court ownership. Preferred time slots. Long-tenured directors controlling access “the way it’s always been done.”

AI introduces transparency. And transparency challenges tradition.

As clubs move toward data-driven scheduling and access, those informal systems may begin to fade. For some, that will feel uncomfortable. For others, it will represent progress — fairer access, clearer policies, and a better overall member experience.

Fahys believes the clubs that embrace AI thoughtfully — using it as a tool to enhance service rather than replace hospitality — will be the ones that thrive. The technology is not about removing people from the equation; it’s about freeing professionals to focus on what matters most: relationships, programming, and experience.

The future of club management is arriving faster than many expect. And for those willing to engage with it, the opportunities are significant.

As we enter our seventh year behind the microphone, it’s still remarkable to say those words out loud: seven years of conversations, insights, and shared experiences across the private members club and hospitality landscape. What began as a passion project has grown into a trusted forum for club leaders, operators, and professionals who care deeply about the future of our industry.

There is no better way to kick off the first Beyond The Baselines podcast of the year than with a thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation with Jeff Isbell. Jeff brings a grounded, operator-first perspective that resonates strongly with where clubs find themselves today — balancing governance, culture, staffing realities, and evolving member expectations, all while staying true to their mission and identity.

In this episode, we explore themes that will define much of the year ahead: leadership presence, communication across departments and boards, and how racquets, hospitality, and project management increasingly intersect within a modern club environment. These are the same issues that surface week after week in our work with clubs, boards, and executive teams — and the same topics that sparked such strong engagement during The Monday Morning Club Quarterback. That series will return next fall, but the conversations never really stop.

What continues to energize this podcast is the community around it — from professionals navigating career moves and immigration questions, to general managers and board members trying to make thoughtful, sustainable decisions for their clubs. We hear from you regularly, and those real-world challenges shape every episode we produce.

As always, we welcome the dialogue. If you have thoughts sparked by this episode, questions about the industry, or simply want to connect, feel free to reach out at beyondthebaselines@gmail.com or call 508-538-1288. We are always willing to listen — and when appropriate, to help.

Thank you to our listeners, partners, colleagues, and the many clubs and professionals we are fortunate to work with. We are proud to be private members club consultants, and even more grateful to be part of such a thoughtful, evolving industry.

Here’s to a strong year of conversation ahead — and to starting it with Jeff Isbell.