HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Saturday may have been grey and rainy outside, but inside the Planters Bank-Jennie Stuart Sportsplex, they were having a ball. Pickleball, to be precise. The Blue Ribbon Pickleball Tournament, sponsored by Jennie Stuart Wound Care and OptimizeU, drew over 100 competitors to the event, being held to promote diabetes awareness in Hopkinsville.
The double elimination tournament started with men’s and women’s doubles, transitioning to mixed doubles and then single player play until a winner in each group was reached and ribbons awarded. The afternoon brought out Jennie Stuart employees in friendly competition between the hospital’s departments to win a spirit stick and a foot award.
Pickleball, a mix of traditional ping-pong and tennis, is growing in popularity in Kentucky. Benjamin and Lauren Bealle started out playing tennis but have switched over to the sport in the last two years. “Tennis is hard on your body, with the hard hits and twists. This is usually easier, depending on your competitors.”
While waiting for her turn on the court, Nancy Petree said she enjoyed the sport because it is a way to get out, exercise and meet new people. Her friend, Joni Charles, added, “In pickleball, it doesn’t matter your skill level, everyone will play with you.”
With players ranging from fourteen years old to sixty-nine, there were expert players and complete novices. Katherine Demps has only been playing the game for six months, but she said it’s great fun and she looks forward to similar events.
Diane Davis, a seasoned player, has been playing at the YMCA and the Rec center for ten years. “It’s an addictive sport,” she said while she pointed out her husband, Rodney, who was on the courts. “You just get out and have fun with it.”
The director of Jennie Stuart Wound Care and organizer of the event, Mark Strickland, said he was thrilled at the interest in this event and is looking forward to holding another event in the future, hoping to draw in even more sponsors and competitors. “It’s a bigger turn-out than we anticipated but we’re all having a great time!”
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