PT Pickleball Club approaching $35k fundraising goal for new courts

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Pickleball is blowing up right now.

Whether it’s the meteoric rise in the game’s popularity over the past year or the fact that it’s become Washington state’s official state sport, pickleball-mania is heating up, and it’s been no different for Port Townsend’s local club.

The Port Townsend Pickleball Club is rapidly approaching its $35,000 capital campaign goal for new courts on the Mountain View Commons on Blaine Street, as well as having more and more players join up for weekly tournaments, casual games, and other events related to the tennis-like sport.

According to club leaders, the local organization has seen rapid growth recently with dozens of pickleball players participating in weekly, club-sponsored games and activities.

For folks who’ve been living under a rock, pickleball is a sport with rules akin to table tennis where athletes use paddles to thwack a perforated plastic ball back and forth over a net.

Such a meteoric rise in membership and participation is heartening due to the future potential of the sport at the local level, and the belief that “more players will mean more courts,” said Lynn Pierle, Port Townsend Pickleball Club president. 

The club’s plethora of activities, whether it’s “Social Saturday” events, round-robin tourneys, or other pickleball-related fun, the group has seen increases in membership along with participation from local experts and beginners alike.

“With more than 30 players signed up for just 20 slots, and more signing up each week, play is on a first-come, first-served basis,” said events coordinator Jeannie Ramsey of the club.

Arguably the most popular club-sponsored activity has been round-robin play every Friday at Port Townsend High School.

“The round robin is a great opportunity to meet new players, improve your game, and most importantly, play a lot of pickleball,” said club member Fred Weinmann.

“It is two hours of joy and effort with delightful people,” added pickleball enthusiast Annie Clark.

The Port Townsend Pickleball Club has even started to involve professional pickleballers to assist with learning new skills and picking up the pace.

Sequim pro Doug Hastings taught new skills to players with a recent clinic with two-hour sessions where players could increase their skills and learn new ones. Twenty-six players participated in the clinic.

For the club’s future plans, organizers are looking to bring in USA Pickleball District Ambassador and nationally-certified referee Kathy Thomas for a clinic on referee training, a tournament for new players, and the opportunity for players to become club rated.

“There are so many opportunities for all levels of play in many different formats in Port Townsend,” Ramsey said. “And besides the competition and camaraderie, it’s tons of fun.”

To sign up to become a member of the Port Townsend Pickleball Club, donate to the organization’s capital campaign for new courts, or learn more about the sport and local players, visit www.ptpickleball.com.