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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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