If you can imagine a 4 person game of ping pong, being played while standing on top of a really big outdoor table, then you have pickleball.
Now create a day for a whole bunch of them to compete for one-of-a-kind bag tags and really cool prizes, then you have the Pickleball Rocks Summer Shootout in Brookville, Indiana.
A tour around the tournament site revealed a huge hospitality tent loaded with snacks and bottled water that was sponsored by various local businesses to make sure the players were kept strong and hydrated. Also courtside was a newly built shade shelter with plenty of seating to help keep the players cool. And of course, one of the most popular places to hangout between matches was the vendor tent showcasing the wildly popular “Pickleball Rocks” dri-fit shirts and hats plus corporate sponsor, Pro-Lite Sports pickleball paddles.
If player feedback is any indicator, the 1st ever Pickleball Rocks Summer Shootout was a huge success.
Said tournament advisor Rodney Grubbs, “It was certainly fun planning this first ever Brookville tournament, but what was most satisfying for me is that I sit on the Chamber of Commerce board of directors and this tournament put people in our hotels, restaurants and bed and breakfasts for two weekends. From a tourism standpoint this tournament was a great success and it will only grow from here. From a pickleball growth point of view, it is phenomenal to have this many players come here for a first time tournament. Obviously people are hearing about the quality of pickleball being played here in Brookville.
The personal feedback and emails received from the players after the tournament have been especially gratifying because it tells us that we did things right. Everyone loved it and have committed to coming back next year.”
Saturday June 29th was a special day just for the 3.0 skill level players competing for the coveted “Shootout Champion” bag tags and “Pickleball Rocks” branded prizes. The ladies 3.0 winners were: KeKai Ruckstuhl and Jean Haupt from Chattanooga, Tennessee. Runnerups were the sister duo of Shelly and Tammy Haley of Indianapolis and third place went to Sharri Kendall and Betty Herbert of Connersville.
On the men’s side, bringing home the top prize was: Matt Klein and Joe Meeks from Fort Wayne, IN. Runnerups were Paul Hamilton and Larry Oliver from Anderson Township, OH and third place went to local Brookville players, Michael Taylor and Kevin Moster.
Sunday June 30th was dedicated to the 3.5 level players and the ladie’s winners were: Melissa Muha (Fishers, IN) and Karen Grubbs (Brookville, IN). Runnerups were Jen Griffin (St. Leon) and Bridget Danemayer (Cincinnati, OH). Third place honors went to Kim Clements (Cincinnati, OH) and Kathy O’Bryan (Brookville, IN).
Men bringing home the prizes consisted of: (CHAMPIONS) Bruce Colton (West Chester, OH) and David Newman (Anderson Township, OH), (RUNNERUPS) Rick Zeek (Western Hills, OH) and Marc Mateyko (North Bend, OH). And capturing third place by the slimmest of margins (1 point) was the team of Jerry Rea (Syracuse, IN) and Ken Flora (Fort Wayne, IN).
On July 20th the 4.0 players gathered for their special shootout. Coming away with the prizes for the men were: (CHAMPIONS) Mark Oswald (Fort Wayne, IN) and Don Labacz (Grabill, IN), (RUNNERUPS) Brad Bilyeu (Terre Haute, IN) and John Tackett (Louisville, KY) plus 3rd place finishers, Dave Brostrom (Cincinnati, OH) and Jim Huitsing (Mason, OH).
Lady winners were: (CHAMPIONS) Marilyn and Courtney Haslup (Fort Wayne, IN), (RUNNERUPS) Miriam Long and Chrissy Haywood (Louisville, KY) and 3rd placers, the dynamic sister duo of Sharon Hall and Cheryl Wyatt (Middletown, OH).
In the sport of pickleball, there are not many players who are entitled to the coveted 5.0 skill level designation. But on July 21st, 2013, sparks flew as some of the best 5.0 pickleball players in the country descended on the sleepy little town of Brookville.
After a full day of competition, the prize winning 5.0 winners for the men were: (CHAMPIONS) Jim Hackenberg (Kalamazoo, MI) and Paul Sprainitis (Clinton Township, MI), (RUNNERUPS) Josh and Zack Grubbs (Fort Wayne, IN) and bronze medalists JT Schulze and Mike “Ripit” Schwartz (Florence, KY).
Capturing the high level prizes for the ladies were: (CHAMPIONS) Alison Fulton (Lady Lake, FL) and Denise Boutin (The Villages, FL), (RUNNERUPS) Susan Wiartalla (Novi, MI) and Merriann Murphy (Howell, MI), plus bronze winners Yvonne Hackenberg (Kalamazoo, MI) and Marsha Koch (Toledo, OH). They do seem to be enjoying wearing their new stylish earrings. 🙂
At the end of each day a prize drawing was done to give away a Pro-Lite Paddle. The lucky winners were Gene Silver who won a Pro-Lite Blaster, Jan Eischens who won a Pro-Lite Magnum, Robbie McClain winning a Pro-Lite Classic and Marsha Koch taking home a Pro-Lite Aero-D. Many thanks to sponsor Pro-Lite for donating the paddles.
And of course, a tournament of this magnitude simply cannot happen with the support of our great local sponsors.
Thanks to everyone who pitched in.
-Rocket, Josh and Zack (Tournament Directors and Player Services at AllAboutPickleball.com)
WHAT THE TOURNAMENT PLAYERS ARE SAYING:
“This was our first Pickleball Tournament and we had a great time. It was so much fun, can’t wait to do it again next year!!!!!” -Betty H and Sharri K.
“Had a great time on Saturday. Thanks for the amazing event!!!” -Michael T.
“Thanks again for the opportunity to play in your tournament. It was a great time. Well organized. I have played in other tournaments that were not well organized at all. My partner and I both enjoyed ourselves a lot.” – Larry O.
“Tournament was a lot of fun. You all did a great job with everything.” – Judy G.
“Loved your tournament. Tell the boys thanks so much.” – Michell C.
“My first pickleball tournament and I loved it. Thanks for a great experience.” – Jen G.
“A Five Star tournament. Smoothly run and plenty of fun playing pickleball. Looking forward to next year.” – Miriam L.
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Additional sponsors were: Harold Spurlock (Local Farm Bureau Insurance Agent).
PickleballShopping.com
lOOKS LIKE A GREAT TIME, I MISS PLAYING IN BROOKVILLE, CAN’T WAIT TO GET BACK THERE!
I had a great time on Saturday. Thanks for the amazing event!!!
This was our first Pickleball Tournament and we had a great time. It was so much fun can’t wait to do it again next year!!!!!
A Five Star tournament. Smoothly run and plenty of fun playing pickleball. Looking forward to next year. Miriam Long, Louisville, KY
I play pickleball in Daytona Beach Shores FL. Will be in Louisville in October. Any courts near the Galt Hotel? Really great sport.
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Wildly popular here as well. Record attendance yesterday and had to implement rotation of players so no one hogs the court. Generally a good amount of fairness among players with no issues so far.
I think people ought to have a rotation system where everyone gets to play each other. Some things go w/o saying, e.g. Don’t play singles if two other players are waiting. Not everyone is comfortable with communicating. Remember nobody can read your mind. Either speak up or….you know, don’t let it escalate to a point and then complain about others and so on.
I notice a lot of people hesitate to ask.