This year’s Highlands Pickleball Tournament kicked off to an enthusiastic start this weekend, in which a record turnout of players showed up to embrace some community spirit. The event, which is sponsored by Mountaintop Rotary, serves as the second tournament put together by the organization.
According to Sue Aery, co-chair of the event, the goal of the tournament is to raise funds for youth organizations within the Plateau, specifically within Highlands and Cashiers.
“This is our second year that we’ve done it and it’s sponsored by Mountaintop Rotary Club, which is one of two Highlands Rotary clubs,” she said.
This year also saw a record turnout of participants. Aery said over 110 people registered to join in the pickleball action, nearly double the previous tournament.
The tournament featured various formats, including men’s and women’s doubles on Saturday, followed by mixed doubles on Sunday, catering to players’ different skill levels.
The tournament itself was inspired by Rotary Club members who are avid pickleball players. It primarily serves as a unique way to generate funds for the community service projects, aligning with the club’s mission of serving the community and contributing to the global Rotary fund.
“We had a player-specific raffle, which was players-only, and then we had what was called our ticket rapper. There were large monetary prizes that were donated by a lot of our sponsors so we had a wine tasting donated and a zip line donated,” she said. “We also had a couple restaurants donate gift certificates.”
This year, the tournament received support from the community, with numerous sponsors contributing financially and with prizes.
Looking ahead, the Mountaintop Rotary Club hopes to expand the tournament by incorporating more courts and possibly collaborating with surrounding clubs to accommodate more participants.
“We will ask some of the surrounding clubs if they’re willing to donate their courts for the weekend. I’ve already spoken with two of the local pros asking them about their courts and they’ve said ‘absolutely,’” she said. “We’re hoping to increase the participation.”
Jherrica Phillips, who played in this year’s tournament, said it offered an exciting experience alongside a sense of community.
“I actually got called in last minute, but for me I’m a big sports person,” she said. “This was fantastic and it was so well thought out. The courts are amazing and they have everything. They had backups, which was nice.”
Phillips became more involved with the sport in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene when most places were still shut down, with the exception of courts.
“I really thought it was a silly sport, but it isn’t really,” she said. “I always have been an athlete and it was nice to get back into something. I really love the camaraderie and the teamwork. I’m making friends.”
Phillips said she enjoyed the teamwork and the sense of community that she felt while playing the game. She looks forward to joining again when the event makes a return next year.
“I would be willing to go back to the tournament, 100%,” she said. “I love it.”
- Kevin McCall
reporter@highlandsnews.com