Pam McWhorter
The Ninth Annual PebbleCreek Pickleball Tournament was an enormous success! Despite a weather hiccup of wind on Thursday, the tournament went off without a hitch. Club member Lisa Kellis posted that there were over 550 participants from multiple states and Canada. This large-scale competition gave players the opportunity to compete in 17 various age and skill divisions.
One unique element about this year’s tournament was the fact that, for the first time ever, the 4.5 70+ bracket contained four members of the Pickleball Hall of Fame competing with and against each other: Hall of Famers Jim Hackenberg, Mark Friedenberg (Yoda), Larry Moon, and Steve Paranto.
It was undoubtedly an exciting match to watch as our own club member, Jim Barbe, partnered up with Larry Moon and competed against Freidenberg and Hackenberg for the gold medal. Barbe reports, “It was a grueling four–game gold medal match.” Woot Woot! Way to go, Jim and Larry!
Gold, silver, and bronze medal winners in each of the 17 different tournament categories can be found online at the following URL: https://tinyurl.com/2bs447f8.
There were approximately 266 volunteers who filled 479 volunteer slots. Many of them filled up to five positions. It took an entire village to help Mike Crabtree’s tournament committee put on this spectacular three-day event. Many thanks to all of those who played a part in the success of the tournament. Please show them some love!
This three-day tournament with Women’s Doubles, Mixed Doubles, and Men’s Doubles was a fabulous event. There was never a dull moment for volunteers, participants, and spectators!
And finally, a giant shout-out to all the following sponsors for helping us make our Ninth Annual PebbleCreek Pickleball Tournament a successful one:
Humana , Desert Shade Structures, Arnold Hickey DBA PHX Pro Realty, Desert Diamond Casino , Cardinal Finance, AZ Rainfall, Palm Valley Oral, West Valley Golf Cars, Roy Johnson Realty, Litchfield Auto Repair, Dr. Nathan Moore DO of Moore Advanced Orthopedics, DermaCare Plastic Surgery, A-Quality HVAC/ Lyons Roofing, Donna Strand Realty One Group, Ortho Arizona, Osborne Jewelers, Argent Solar, Esatto Pharmacy, Selkirk, Rays Rackets, Skechers, Big O Tires, Desert Sage Landscaping and Maintenance, and Annette Midboe of West USA Realty.
Food sponsors: Texas Roadhouse, Popo’s Fiesta Del Sol, and Panera Bread.
Other Events
* The PebbleCreek Pickleball Club Championship Tournament was held on March 20, 21, and 23.
* April 4 is the date for the last internal tournament of the season. Due to the popularity of the last MLP tournament that was held in January, the event is being repeated in April. Registration, which was on Court Reserve, was opened on March 1 and closed on March 22.