Naples, Fla. – Jose Pastrello, director of court sports at Quail Creek Country Club (Quail Creek) and newly inducted president of Racquet Sports Professionals Association (RSPA) Florida Division is spearheading the introduction of padel in Southwest Florida. Under Pastrello’s leadership, Quail Creek in North Naples has commenced construction on a new three-court padel complex set to open this summer, making it the first country club in the region to adopt the global social-sport phenomenon.
At the height of his career, Pastrello is an RSPA Master Professional, a distinguished honor he earned in 2023 and one that is held by less than one percent of all certified professionals globally. As the president of RSPA Florida Division, formerly known as the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA), Pastrello represents more than 1,500 racquet sports professionals across the state. Previously serving as the division’s vice president for eight years, Pastrello’s longstanding presence within the industry network has catapulted his own career and home club’s racquet sports programming.
“Networking has helped me immensely,” said Pastrello, who serves in the RSPA role on a volunteer basis and just concluded the 2026 RSPA Florida Annual Division Conference at PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. “I find inspiration and motivation through my connections with the amazing people in this industry, and I learn a lot from other clubs. In fact, I was first inspired to bring padel to Quail Creek through our RSPA meetings.”
Known for keeping his programming dynamic, Pastrello often organizes trips for members to experience racquet sports in other regions, states and even countries. Most recently, Pastrello and Quail Creek members traveled to Italy on an excursion organized by Tennis Ventures, an Arizona-based boutique travel company that hosts trips to major tennis destinations worldwide. In fact, to research padel’s viability for Quail Creek, Pastrello gathered a group of Quail Creek members, and together they visited a club in Miami that was already delivering padel successfully.
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“Jose brings a rare combination of technical mastery, patience and genuine enthusiasm to every session on court,” said Chadwick Byrd, co-founder and president of Tennis Ventures. “He has joined us as one of our featured coaches on recent trips to France and Italy, and his impact on both his members and the broader group of travelers has been nothing short of outstanding. Beyond his coaching talent, Jose is a true ambassador for the sport. He elevates the energy, fosters camaraderie and represents Quail Creek with professionalism and warmth.”
As the first country club in Southwest Florida to embrace the sport, Quail Creek is delivering a game that has already captivated millions globally. Often described as a mix between tennis and squash, padel is played in doubles on an enclosed court surrounded by glass walls, which players can rely on to keep rallies alive. Utilizing solid, stringless paddles and low-compression balls, it offers a fast-paced yet accessible alternative to traditional racquet sports.
“I don’t like repetition all that much,” Pastrello explained. “I’m always reinventing, and Quail Creek is a club that supports me in everything that I do. Right now, I have so much energy for my family, my club, and my career, and padel is an opportunity to bridge the pleasure of pickleball with the technical aspects of tennis. It’s not an ‘in the park’ court sport so bringing padel to Quail Creek will certainly be an exciting opportunity…right here in North Naples.”
Naples-based McWard Architects, Inc. is leading the design of Quail Creek’s new padel complex, and D. Garrett Construction, Inc is serving as the general contractor for construction. The padel courts installation completes Quail Creek’s suite of court sports facilities, with nine Har-Tru tennis courts, six pickleball courts, three bocce ball courts and a croquet lawn.
About Quail Creek Country Club
Quail Creek Country Club is a private, member-owned country club in North Naples, Florida, committed to providing top-tier, multi-generational recreational and social experiences. It’s premier “live anywhere, belong here” memberships do not require real estate and offer access to two Audubon-certified, 18-hole championship golf courses (The Creek and The Quail), which are currently undergoing strategic renovations through 2027. Quail Creek’s extensive court sports facilities feature tennis, pickleball, bocce ball and croquet, and now Southwest Florida’s first padel complex. An 18,000-square-foot Sports Center & Spa anchors Quail Creek’s holistic approach to active living, with an award-winning fitness center, specialized recovery amenities, full-service spa and an integrated, multi-sport pro shop (The Quail Shoppe). The clubhouse offers both fine and casual dining, indoors and out, at Greenside Grille and Cypress Bar & Lounge. Dedicated to excellence since 1981, Quail Creek Country Club is an industry-recognized Distinguished Club with Exceptional Status and a leader in delivering exceptional hospitality in Southwest Florida. For more information, visit quailcreekcc.com.
