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Bits of news in Pickleball
HOLY TOLEDO PICKLEBALL CLUB
Never underestimate the power of the pickleball community! The Toledo( Ohio) Pickleball Club( TPC) was approached by Ryan Hacker, son of long-time TPC member Tim Hacker, with the idea of organizing an event to celebrate his dad’ s 70th birthday, while at the same time supporting the Parkinson Foundation of Northwest Ohio( PFNWO). Tim was diagnosed with Parkinson’ s a few years ago— and is still an active, high-level player!
Ryan’ s idea was to have an all-day event, beginning with a“ Learn to Play” session, followed by a Beginner Mixer, King of the Court competition, minitournaments for women and men( 3.5 / 4.0) and an open mini-tournament( 4.0 +). There would be commemorative t-shirts for all, giveaways, raffle items, including paintings and photographs by Tim himself, as well as lunch and dinner! Tickets would also be available for spectators.
TPC helped organize the playing events, and Ryan obtained sponsors so that 100 percent of the funds raised could go to the Parkinson Foundation. The Rossford Recreation Center( winter home of TPC) donated an entire Saturday for the event.
Player registration filled quickly and spectator / meal-only tickets sold out. The Hacker family, including the grandchildren, shared the excitement on event day. The bleachers were filled with spectators most of the day. The Tim Hacker Invitational was a huge success!
Ryan’ s initial goal was to present PFNWO with a check for $ 5,000. His goal was easily surpassed. Donations are still being counted, but more than $ 16K was raised for PFNWO!
BAINBRIDGE CUP TROPHY GOES ON THE ROAD
In 2017, pickleball went global and staged the first-ever Bainbridge Cup, named in honor of the birthplace of the sport that started in 1965. Played in Madrid, Spain, in September 2017, Team North America defeated Team Europe 200-102.
Now, in an effort to bring about enhanced awareness of one of pickleball’ s newest and brightest events, the official trophy— the Bainbridge Cup— may soon travel to parts of the world attracting pickleballers all along the way.“ I love what they do with the Stanley Cup after NHL’ s top team lets its players take it home and show it off to family and friends,” said Pat Murphy, Training Chair of the USAPA. With the win, North America earned the right to show off its coveted prize in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The road show for the Bainbridge Cup began in Palm Desert, CA, and moved on to Casa Grande, AZ, site of the 2017 USAPA National Championships in early November. From there it traveled across the country and was showcased at the annual Ambassador Retreat in Port St. Lucie, FL, in late January. Throughout February, the Cup made stops in San Carlos, MX, for the Sombrero Showdown and back in Arizona for the Grand Canyon State Games. Spring tournaments will be hosting the Cup on the east coast, so keep an eye out for it at a location near you.
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