Pickleball Magazine 2-4 Courtesy of Pickleball Central | Page 43

W
e can now add another
world-class athletic event
to Pittsburgh’s legendary sports
pedigree. On June 23, 24 and 25,
the entire pickleball community
was focused on the David L.
Lawrence Convention Center
and the 2017 GAMMA Pickleball
Classic. With over 400 players
from 17 states, Canada and India,
the event was a smashing success.
Hosted by and benefiting the
Parkinson Foundation Western
Pennsylvania, “The Classic” saw
several professional players
competing for prize money, along
with an impromptu visit from the
city’s mayor, Bill Peduto.
Located in Pittsburgh’s bustling
Cultural District, with dozens of
restaurants, bars, theaters and
shops just steps away, the GAMMA
Pickleball Classic offers an experience
unlike any other tournament in the
country. “There is no other venue like
this for serious pickleball players who
like to travel,” said Anastasia Coates,
the event’s marketing director. The
David L. Lawrence Convention Center
is known for its sweeping architecture
and world-class LEED certifications.
Now it’s known to hundreds of
pickleballers across the U.S. In this
incredible setting, competitors found
no wind, no rain, no sunscreen—just
a cool 72 degrees and the friendly
people of Pittsburgh to cheer them
on.
The event doubled in size from the
previous year in both the number
of courts and players. And the
professionals were incredible to
watch. Most importantly, The Classic
raised over $25,000 for the Parkinson
Foundation Western Pennsylvania—a
significant increase from 2016 and it
has the potential to grow much larger.
All proceeds from The Classic go
directly to the foundation and its
efforts to help those living with
Parkinson’s. This connection between
pickleball and Parkinson’s is helping
to delay the disease for many, and
provides hope to thousands more for
an improved quality of life. This is a
goal worth fighting for—and playing
for. Go to www.pickleballclassic.org/
why-pickleball to learn how you can
get involved.
With GAMMA Pickleball as title
sponsor, the Parkinson Foundation
as the beneficiary, and the mighty,
beautiful city of Pittsburgh as the
setting, The Classic is poised to
become a major tourism and sporting
event in the region. Game on.  •
JULY/AUGUST 2017 |
MAGAZINE
41