After last year’s event exceeded all expectations, the Winona Lake Sunset Pickleball Tournament is back for the second straight year of what is looking to become an annual get together for pickleball players from all around the area as well as the state and beyond.
The tournament will take place on September 6th through the 8th at Winona Lake Park as a nonprofit event with all net proceeds going towards the World Compassion Network, a local disaster relief/missions organization. There will be food trucks and music at the venue throughout the weekend, and should weather become a factor, the Gordon Rec Center has already been selected as a back-up location should the tournament need to be moved indoors.
“When I was brought in to run the tournament, I said I would run it under one condition: that all the proceeds would go to a local charity,” Event organizer Dave Thieme said. “We felt that was very important and we’re thrilled to be partnered up with the World Compassion Network. They’re a really good companion with a really great staff.”
After last season’s tournament brought in 175 participants, the numbers are up to 270 players. The added participants have resulted in the event adding an extra day Friday for senior events for players 55 and older. Saturday will be a mixed day with seniors in one bracket and an open-age bracket on the other side. Sunday will see the open-age men’s and women’s doubles competing.
“This tournament has really exploded. We’ve got kids competing as young as 10 years old, as well as teams that are in their 70s,” Thieme said. “It’s a great way to showcase the community of Winona Lake to people who maybe haven’t even heard of it before.”
Thieme started playing pickleball during one of the winters he spends down in Florida, beginning to teach the sport four years ago. Having experience coaching with youth basketball and baseball, Thieme focuses on players that are at the beginning of their pickleball journey.
As for the tournament going forward, he sees it as a mainstay in the community going forward.
“We have people coming in from Indianapolis, Michigan, and they’ll be here for multiple days, which has a great economic impact on the area,” Thieme said. “They come here and they see how gorgeous the area is and they keep coming back. I think it’s important to continue to support charities in the Kosciusko area and give them some exposure that they otherwise would not have. All of that stuff is going to help us continue this tournament for years to come.”
He also stressed that the tournament isn’t just for the most experienced of players.
“If you’ve never played or are just starting to play, come out that weekend and you’ll see some incredible pickleball being played,” Thieme said. “There will be raffles, food, and more. It’s perfect for the whole family.”
The Winona Lake Sunset Pickleball Tournament would like to thank the following sponsors for their continued support: Title Sponsor K-21 Foundation, Pedals & Paddles Sporting Goods, Zimmer Biomet, Skyline Builders, Silveus Insurance Group, Wildman, SYM Financial, Tranzstar, Selkirk, Focus Up Pickleball, Community Animal Hospital, Mudlove, Lester Pierce, Scott Thieme Advisor to Edward Jones, Sherman & Lins, Nutritional Resources, Rabb Water, Grossnickle Eye Center, Brian Peterson Real Estate, Cloud 9, Coldwell Banker-Deb Showley Group Paton Showley Group and Jeff Owens.