Magnus traces his unlikely journey from growing up as an aspiring ice hockey goalie in Uppsala, Sweden, to playing collegiate tennis at Ferris State University and beginning his professional career under legendary tennis director Mike Rahaley in Vero Beach. He also recalls accepting his first director’s position at just 26 years old—despite having never played platform tennis and knowing little about squash—and learning quickly that succeeding at a private club requires far more than technical expertise.

Now in his 14th year at Louisville Country Club, Magnus discusses how the club has evolved from a traditional golf club with a seasonal tennis program into a year-round racquets destination. That transformation has included the growth of platform tennis, eight dedicated pickleball courts, year-round ClayTech tennis courts, a major court renovation and an increasingly active membership.

Ben Nichols, President of Padel22.com, joins host Ed Shanaphy to investigate the American market for padel. The global sport is coming to America, but is America to insular with its own sports such as baseball and the NFL? Does competitive tennis have a stranglehold on the young racquet player? Join us and find out.

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.