The River City Pickleball Club is set to host a 4-day regional tournament week, featuring nearly 350 participants across several states. Organizers invite the public to attend the free event and learn more about the fast-growing sport, emphasizing the fun and social aspects that extend beyond the court.
The event will run Thursday through Sunday at Merchant Centre Court at 2965 Bittel Road. The tournament will kick off each day at 9 a.m.
Thursday’s matches will feature senior players and will likely end by 2 p.m., while Friday will feature men’s and women’s matches for the 50+ divisions. The biggest days are expected to be Saturday and Sunday, with the majority of the younger and higher-skilled players taking the courts. There will also be an opportunity for open play on Friday from about 5-8 p.m.
David Ryan, a founding board member of the club and an active player, said they’ll have 16 games going at a time. He said the upstairs area of Centre Court provides an ideal viewing spot to take in all the action. While the registration for this event is closed, Ryan encourages the community to come out and watch the action.
“Something will be going on all the time,” Ryan said. “We will have food trucks, and there will be some vendors set up to sell pickleball equipment. And if you have any questions about the club or pickleball or the rules, there will be plenty of people who love talking about pickleball to talk to.”
Ryan, a 68-year-old who has been playing pickleball for over 10 years, emphasized the social aspect of the sport.
“I absolutely love the game,” he said. “It’s such a fun game. It’s so easy to teach and pick up. And it’s very social. While people are waiting to play they just talk about everyday life. It’s just a social game where new friends are formed. It’s just a lot of fun.”
Ryan also stressed that pickleball is a sport that can be played by people of all ages.
“The funny thing about pickleball is that your athletic ability does not equate to fun,” he said. “You can go over to Owensboro Christian Church, and there’ll be some 80-year-olds in there playing. Don’t think you can step out on the court that court and say ‘I’m gonna give this old man a lesson,’ because it ain’t gonna happen, because they’re pretty good. It keeps you young and keeps you moving, and it’s just a great sport.”
The River City Pickleball Club is also working with the City of Owensboro to develop new courts at Ben Hawes Park, a testament to the sport’s growing popularity in the area.
