SUNDRE – Local pickleball enthusiasts got a chance to enjoy playing their first-ever tournament on the recently resurfaced courts behind Sundre High School.
The event, held on Father’s Day, wasn’t the Sundre Pickleball Association’s first tournament, but it was the first one since completing late last month a project to resurface the courts with a new material that is more flexible and forgiving on the joints, as well as the first one of the season.
Although the forecast for Sunday, June 15 had called for an afternoon thunderstorm, the weather largely held and the tournament wrapped up before the rain fell.
There were 20 club members who came out to play largely for bragging rights and a chance to enjoy the opportunity to socialize.
“All the fathers received a fun gift and the winners all won backpacks,” said Marie Snippa, club member.
Scores were accumulated individually so there were no teams per se, and the players broke into two groups A and B following round robin play, Snippa told the Albertan.
After some scramble play, the top four players from each group played once again, with Jaymie Read coming out on top of the A pool and Paul Smith close behind in second place. The B pool was won by Marie Snippa with Tanya Braybrook finishing in second.
Snippa hailed the tournament’s directors, Wendy Read and Deb Helland, for putting together a successful event.
“Our aim is always to bring pickleball play along with a social so we can all visit and enjoy our time together at the courts,” said Snippa.
