Clarkco State Park renovated their tennis courts this year, adding pickleball courts for everyone to enjoy.
Since then, they’ve hosted a beginner class several weeks ago and will have their first Pickleball Tournament on Saturday, April 27.
While pickleball may be new for some people in the area, it is not a new sport. Joel Pritchard, congressman from Washington State, and Bill Bell, successful businessman, began playing with ping pong paddles and a badminton net. They wanted a game the entire family could enjoy, so they went about making rules and designing the court. The first court was poured in 1967. Like in other sports, people could spend a lot of money on paddles, balls, clothing, shoes, water bottles, and other items, but it isn’t necessary. The only things really needed are a paddle and pickleball balls.
Over the last few years, interest in pickleball has picked up even more. That is one of the reasons Clarkco chose to add pickleball to their growing list of activities to do at the park and is hosting its first tournament.
With the upcoming tournament on April 27, there will be different brackets for people to participate in: Beginner and Intermediate, Men’s and Women’s Doubles. The sign in time for the tournament is 8:00 a.m., and play will begin at 8:30 a.m.
The deadline to register for the tournament is April 24. The cost is $30 per team. For more information about the tournament and to register, go to RESERVE.MDWFP.COM/REGISTER. Clarkco is located at 386 Clarke County Road in Quitman. For more information, call the office at Clarkco State Park at 601-776-6651.
