The Cook County Tennis and Pickleball Association and the Thunder Bay Pickleball Club host 'border battle' Pickleball Tournament
Aug 21, 2023 10:26AM ● By Content Editor
Six of the newly resurfaced courts were used on Saturday for the tournament - All photos by Tryg Solberg
By Tryg Solberg - Boreal Community Media - August 21, 2023
The Cook County Tennis and Pickleball Association and the Thunder Bay Pickleball Club hosted a 'border battle' Pickleball Tournament titled 'Meet in the Middle Pickleball'.
About 45 pickleball players joined in a variety of doubles matches on Grand Marais's newly resurfaced tennis courts this past weekend. Organizers and players were very satisfied with the increased quality of the playing surfaces. Bob Pranis, a board member of the local Cook County Tennis and Pickleball Association, echoed the satisfaction and gratitude for the freshly resurfaced courts in between his matches with his doubles partner.
The warm and sunny Saturday made it pleasant to play or spectate the action. Smoke from Canadian wildfires in Canada hung in the air but not enough to warrant any delays.
This year hosted competitors who were local or from Thunder Bay at a similar number to the 2022 event. Tudor Nisioiu, president of the Thunder Bay Pickleball Club (TBPC), said that about half the competitors came from Thunder Bay to play in the tournament. The TBPC played an important role in organizing this year's event with the local club.
The tournament consisted of several competition categories and formats. There were men's and women's doubles teams, and then later in the afternoon, mixed doubles teams. Most of the day was spent playing in a typical tournament scoring system, with two 45-minute "Kings/Queens Court" sessions to keep things interesting.
TBPC's Daren Smilie kept track of all of the scoring on a computer spreadsheet, a big upgrade from last year's paper records. They had spare paddles in case any visitors that happened upon the courts wanted to join. The friendly can-do attitude of the organizers and all the players made the tournament a welcoming event.
Pickleball has gained popularity in the last few years as many of the nation's Tennis courts are now able to be used for pickleball. Participants talked about how a significant portion of the sport is the social connections formed during and after games.
Talking between points and matches makes great camaraderie at a tournament like this. Players enjoy being close to their "competitors", which makes connection and conversation much easier than tennis.
If you’re interested in joining or want to learn more, Pranis told Boreal Community Media that the event does have room to grow, with some courts not needed in this year's event. Visit: https://cookcountytennisassociation.com/
Daren Smilie of Thunder Bay helping two pickleball players get situated in the tournament's lineup.
Nisioiu and Smilie out of Thunder Bay were involved with organizing the event and kept track of scoring.
Spectators enjoy the competition from the shaded shelter off of the courts.
A player out of Thunder Bay returning volleys at the net.
Pickleball's underhand serve
The pickleball nets are set up on either end of the tennis net with permanent blue lines painted into the new playing surface.
Intense concentration during an underhand serve while facing the sun. Competitors switch court sides halfway through the games.
The pickleball nets are set up on either end of the tennis net with permanent blue lines painted into the new playing surface.
