Tim Klitch’s journey to becoming a leader in Austin’s flourishing pickleball scene is a story of reinvention, community, and a relentless passion for fun. For over 25 years, Klitch carved out a successful career in banking and investment—rooted in a childhood shaped by tennis, thanks to his father’s profession as a tennis pro—and even played college tennis at the Division I level. 

Despite his deep ties to the sport, Klitch eventually realized that much of his professional life had revolved around obligations rather than personal joy. That moment of clarity led him to embrace pickleball—a sport whose accessibility and quick learning curve offered a refreshing contrast to his earlier pursuits. A recommendation from Major League Pickleball’s Steve Kuhn introduced Klitch to the sport that would become his next big adventure. 

Klitch went on to co‑found Austin Pickle Ranch, launching a vibrant rooftop facility with eight pickleball courts in downtown Austin. As CEO—and in his whimsical self‑title of “Chief Fun Officer”—he helped make pickleball more accessible within the community. 

Building on that success, Klitch led the opening of a second, expansive 50,000‑sq‑ft indoor facility in North Austin, featuring 16 regulation indoor courts and lounge areas, addressing the city’s need for high‑quality, all‑weather play spaces. 

Klitch’s dedication extends to cutting‑edge initiatives: under his leadership, Austin Pickle Ranch became Texas’s first official DUPR Assessment Center, offering globally recognized player ratings and skill‑based competition, further elevating the local pickleball landscape. 

Through innovation, charm, and a cowboy hat, Tim Klitch continues to champion fun, inclusivity, and community in Austin’s pickleball renaissance.