How a Simple Survey Sparked Montana’s First DUPR Verified Club 

With pickleball exploding across the United States and data from the SFIA x DUPR Pickleball State of the Market Report showing participation skyrocketing in pickleball worldwide, many investors rushed to open facilities just to ride the wave.

Elliot took a very different path. Instead of guessing what players wanted, he started with a simple survey at his local courts. That survey didn’t just validate demand;  it became the blueprint for one of Montana’s most intentional, data-driven, and community-focused pickleball clubs.

Today, that survey has grown into Bozeman Classic Pickleball Club, a thriving DUPR Verified Club that’s about to expand into one of the most stunning racket facilities in the country.

From Tech Operator to Pickleball Visionary

Like many players today, Elliot came from a tennis background, but his path into pickleball wasn’t the typical “fell in love with the sport and decided to open a club” origin story.

He had moved back to Montana looking to buy a small business: something stable, something community-oriented, something he could grow. But nothing on the market fit the vision.

Pickleball, meanwhile, was exploding everywhere except in Bozeman. Courts were packed, indoor options were nonexistent, and players had nowhere to go during the winter.

So Elliot did what any good operator would do: he gathered data.

He put up a survey at the local courts asking:

• Would you play at an indoor pickleball facility?
• What would you pay for a membership?
• Would you prefer pay-per-hour, pay-per-game, or monthly?
• Would you sign up now?
• Would you refer to friends?

A couple days later, more than 100 players had responded and two-thirds wanted a monthly membership.

That was enough to build a budget, build confidence, and develop a club.

Bozeman’s First Indoor Pickleball Facility

Elliot found an old wine warehouse with the right specs: high ceilings, great location, enough space for four courts, room for a small shop, and adequate parking. Not glamorous, but functional.

He invested carefully, focusing on what mattered most:

• High-quality courts and permanent Putterman nets and posts
• Bright, indirect lighting
• Clean, welcoming vibes and an inclusive culture
• Music, seating, and a social environment
• A simple membership model players actually wanted
• A business phone that someone actually answered when customers called

It wasn’t flashy, but it was right. And players showed up in droves.

In just over a year, the club logged 11,000+ player visits, with Elliot personally calling new members to help them find partners, groups, and open plays. That personal touch created a real community.

Why Bozeman Pickleball Became DUPR Verified

As the club grew, the challenge became clear: players wanted structure, matching, and meaningful competition, but most didn’t even know their DUPR rating.

Elliot saw DUPR Verification as the missing piece.

“I wanted to give my players the best possible experience and make it easier to pair them with the right groups. DUPR finally gives us a way to match players accurately and build programming that makes sense.”

Becoming DUPR Verified allows Bozeman Pickleball to:

• Run skill-based open plays and events with confidence
• Offer verified matches directly through their system
• Help players get trustworthy ratings (and remove intimidation)
• Build stronger programming with clear skill divisions
• Increase retention by giving players a sense of progress and belonging

Now that Bozeman is fully verified, the club is rolling out DUPR-based clinics, leagues, and open plays, with plans to help their entire membership get reliably rated by DUPR Coaches over the next few months. 

A Club Built on Connection, Not Just Courts

While many pickleball businesses focus on scale first, Elliot built Bozeman Pickleball around relationships.

He personally calls members to help them find groups.
He quickly adjusts programming and facility touches based on customer feedback.
He embraces beginners just as much as advanced players and encourages his coaches to keep the tone line .
He sets the tone for a community-first culture.

That philosophy is paying off. Players feel seen, groups are forming naturally, and the club continues to grow despite competition nearby.

What Comes Next: A Facility Unlike Anything in Montana

Bozeman’s current building is being demolished, but the timing couldn’t be better.

Elliot bought two acres of land just 1.75 miles away close to Downtown Bozeman and is now building a facility that will redefine pickleball in the region.

The new location will include:

• Mountain-view indoor pickleball courts
• Outdoor pickleball courts
• Montana’s first indoor Padel court (34-ft ceiling!)
• Modern lounge and social areas
• A wellness bar
• Private rooms, showers, and a full pro shop

It’s modern, thoughtful, and built entirely around the real needs of Bozeman players and the many visitors who come to SW Montana to ski at Big Sky (The No. 1 travel destination of 2026 is in the U.S,) explore Yellowstone National Park, or experience the lifestyle that made John Dutton famous.

The Hardest Part? Connecting Players

Despite the success, Elliot is candid about the biggest challenge:

“Helping players find the right partners is the hardest part. DUPR is going to change that for us.”

Like many clubs, Bozeman Classic Pickleball Club faces:

• New players who don’t know their rating
• Competitive players who want tight matches and new pairings
• Beginners who want to feel welcomed
• Age-based preferences
• Skill disparities
• Growing pains in group formation
  
  

DUPR Verification is becoming the foundation for solving those issues and scaling programming sustainably.

A Club With Heart, Data and Big Ambitions

Bozeman Pickleball is more than indoor courts.
It’s more than a business built from scratch.
It’s more than a DUPR Verified Club.

It’s proof that when you listen to your players, gather data, and build intentionally, you can create something truly special, even in a state with minimal indoor pickleball tradition.

And with their new facility opening next year, Bozeman is about to put Montana on the national pickleball map. Check out Bozeman Classic Pickleball Club here.

Interested in becoming a DUPR Verified Club? Apply here. 

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