Paso Robles pickleball tournament this weekend

Posted: 6:00 pm, October 24, 2014 by Publisher Scott Brennan

Photo of the Pickleball Courts Dedication Ceremony at Centennial Park in Paso Robles earlier this summer. The ribbon cutting included Paso Robles Mayor Duane Picanco, City Councilmen John Hamon, Ed Steinbeck, and Steve Martin, recreation services director Julie Dahlen, Central Coast Pickleball Ambassador Jack Hodges and members of the Paso Robles Pickleball Club.

Pickleball Ambassador, Jack Hodges, spoke to the Paso Robles Rotary Club earlier this year.

The Paso Robles Pickleball Club is hosting an inaugural “805 Area Code” Pickleball Tournament this weekend. The event will be held Saturday and Sunday at the Paso Robles Pickleball Courts at Centennial Park, 600 Nickerson Dr., Paso Robles. The contest is open to anyone in the 805 area code. The event is being organized by local Pickleball Ambassador Jack Hodges.

“This is the first pickleball tournament ever to be held on the Central Coast and will take place on the newly renovated courts in Paso Robles dedicated exclusively to pickleball,” says Steve Sidwell, a member of the local club. “Pickleball is rapidly coming of age on the Central Coast and this inaugural tournament promises to be an exciting October event,” he said.

The brackets for the pickleball tournament are filled up with 125 players from Simi Valley, Santa Barbara, Cambria, Morro Bay, Atascadero, Paso Robles, Santa Cruz and Monterey. The weekend is a great opportunity for the public to come and see what the game is all about and meet local players.

There will be a raffle and silent auction both days including new paddles donated by vendors, pickleball apparel, pickleball bag, kids set of PB paddles, donated wines and more. A catered hot dog kiosk will serve food onsite.

Pickleball tournament starting times

Saturday, October 25

7:30 a.m. Women’s Doubles Recreational-All
9:00 a.m. Women’s Doubles Competitive-All
10:00 a.m. Men’s Doubles Competitive; 19-49 and 50-59
11:30 a.m. Men’s Doubles Competitive-60+
Noon: Men’s Doubles Recreational-All

Sunday, October 26

7:30 a.m. Mixed Doubles Recreational 50-59
9:00 a.m. Mixed Doubles Recreational 60+
10:30 a.m. Mixed Doubles Competitive 19-49 and 50-59
Noon: Mixed Doubles Competitive 60+

Locals invited to play pickleball

Pickleball is played regularly in Paso Robles at Centennial Park on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday mornings from 8:15 a.m to 11 a.m. Five courts are available and a $3 fee is charged to play. The courts are on the old roller rink that was refurbished this year into courts for pickleball. Newcomers are always welcomed.

Invented in 1965, pickleball combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping pong. It is one of the fastest growing sports in America. For nearly two years, Jack Hodges of Paso Robles has conducted a pickleball program at Centennial Park as a class.