$10,000 raised and winners all around
||| FROM SUZANNE OLSON for ROTARY PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT |||
In its eighth year at Buck Park, the Orcas Island Rotary Pickleball Tournament raised $10,000 for the Orcas community. Tournament Director Keith Light said, “Pickleball is more than sport – it’s about community. Our Orcas club is dedicated to raising funds for local nonprofits each year.” The proceeds will be shared with Mercy Flights and the Orcas Park & Rec District.
Congratulations to the following first and second place pickleball finishers:
- Intermediate Mixed Doubles – Group A: 1) Laurel Shim and Doug Miller; 2) Linda Hamilton and Todd McCombs
- Intermediate Mixed Doubles – Group B: 1) Jennifer Border and Joe Miller; 2) Stephanie Levasheff and David Kane
- Competitive Mixed Doubles: 1) Maggie Kulyk and Kevin Lee; 2) Christine Lee and Max Lee
- Intermediate Womens Doubles – Group A: 1) Stephanie Levasheff and Emily Grindrland; 2) Monica Connell and Barb Skotte
- Intermediate Womens Doubles – Group B: 1) Julia Weese-Young and Merriss Waters; 2) Rosedanie Cadet and April Pollock
- Intermediate Mens Doubles – Group A: 1) Dave Onsum and Matt Onsum; 2) Ethan Brazil and Bob Connell
- Intermediate Mens Doubles – Group B: 1) Andy Hiester and Todd McCombs; 2) Alex Pitschka and Jupiter Pitschka
- Competitive Mens Doubles: 1) Ethan Schmidt and Nigel Oswald; 2) Max Lee and Kevin Lee
The John Kelly memorial award was presented to Darcy Leach. Darcy received a funny pickleball shirt, like those that John was famous for. John’s wife Patty and son Connor presented the award.
The two-day tournament (August 2-3) hosted a record high of 92 competitors, a 50% increase over 2024, with players from Orcas, San Juan, Lopez islands, Hawaii, California, Oregon, Texas, Georgia and the Seattle area. Featured events included mixed doubles, women’s and men’s doubles; a BBQ in the park Saturday afternoon; and a prize raffle to support the Orcas Island Pickleball Club.
The key to success was the generous support of the following community sponsors: Chicory Weath, Island Petroleum, Ray’s Pharmacy & Island Life; WaFd Bank, Island Market, The Dragonfly Coffee House, Linda Hamilton; SaviBank, Orcas Online, Orcas Island Realty, Country Corner, Island Thyme, Security National Mortgage, Rainshadow Solar, Bob McPherson, Greg Stafford; and generous in-kind donations from Starr Septic Services, Ace Hardware, Botanical Bar, Café Aurora, Eastsound Sporting Goods, Forest Ceramics, Jemuel Morris/Experience Pickleball, Three Naughty Dogs Orchard, Napa, Clever Cow Creamery, Old Goat Creative and Orcas Island Parks & Rec.
Orcas Island Pickleball Club (OIPC) is an organization of pickleball players committed to supporting a fun and fair pickleball community where everyone can play. Memberships in OIPC are available at https://orcaspickleball.org/ – and that’s where you can find out about upcoming pickleball events.
Pickleball is open to everyone. Court times are scheduled on playtimescheduler.com and drop-ins are welcome. Newcomers and visitors are welcome to join in play, equipment is available in the OIPC box at the courts and new player orientation sessions are available.
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