WARSAW — The popularity of pickleball continues to evolve in Kosciusko County to the point that several groups have organized a county-wide pickleball tournament in September.

The Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce, the Town of Winona Lake, the Pickleball
Phanatics and the Winona Lake Parks Department are excited to announce the first Charity
Pickleball Tournament on the new Winona Lake Pickleball Courts with proceeds directed to
Combined Community Services.

[caption id="attachment_81495" align="alignright" width="200"] Dave Thieme[/caption]

The two-day event is on Sept. 9 and 10 and represents the first large public pickleball tournament of its kind in the county.

Tournament Director Dave Thieme said, “This tournament was created to raise awareness of Kosciusko County and the new Winona Lake courts where the tournament will be held. Our goal is to have over 100 players register, and all skill levels are welcome. Contact me for more details.”

He said he hopes it becomes an annual event.

As expected, interest in registering is plentiful.

"I'm really thrilled so far," Thieme said. "My goal is 150 players. Right now, we're already sitting at about 90. They're starting to roll in and we haven't hit it really hard as far as getting the word out."

Local Pickleball has exploded with fifty-sixty people playing on almost a daily basis at both Warsaw’s Kelly and Winona Lake’s Limitless Park.

Thieme is a leader with the Pickleball Phanatics, a local pickleball club that uses Winona Lake Park for advanced players and Kelly Park in Warsaw for recreational level.

TOURNAMENT DETAILS:
WHEN – Saturday, Sept. 9 and Sunday, Sept. 10 rain or shine.
Saturday is Women and Men Doubles. Start Time is 8 am
Sunday is Mixed Doubles Play. start time is 12 pm.
NOTE – specific skill level times will be announced after registration.

REGISTRATION: Closes Sept. 1
COST: $30 PER PERSON with $10 for the second event. Checks payable to:
Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce

FORMAT: Round Robin Play
Open age – level of play
2.5 Beginners
3.0 Intermediate
3.5 High Intermediate to Advanced
4.0 Advanced and higher

For more information, contact Tournament Director Dave Thieme
(941) 441-6708 or his email: FocusUpPickleball@gmail.com.

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