Pickleball tournament could be permanent

Division 1 gold medallists: Andy Butson, Matt Squire, Fiona Roberts.

Ocean Grove Pickleball Club organised a Triple Threat Pickleball Tournament on Sunday January 21 at Saint Ignatius College.

The tournament was held at the college’s new gym that contains eight pickleball courts and 50 players from Ocean Grove, Leopold and Geelong competed.

The Triple Threat format saw players ranked one, two or three. They then played in pairs against seven other teams in either Division 1 or Division 2 for 14 games and 10 volunteers kept the day running smoothly.

“There was a wide range of skill and experience levels present but what was of a consistently high standard was the overall enthusiasm and good spirit that was evident throughout the day,” tournament organiser Terry Kealey said.

“It was a pleasure to watch the competition, good humour and positivity.”

Medals were awarded in each division and after six hours of intensive play, the day was wrapped at Ocean Grove Pickleball Club’s clubrooms at Memorial Oval in Ocean Grove with pizzas.

Mr Kealey said he hoped to make the tournament a regular event.