KENNEWICK, Wash. – The Club 509 Pickleball Tournament concluded today after four days of intense competition. The event attracted 400 players, including several professionals, all vying for $15,000 in prizes.
This year saw a significant increase in participation from the previous year, which had around 250 players.
Susannah Barr, a professional pickleball player from Boise, Idaho, returned for her fifth time to compete. She shared her reasons for coming back.
“I keep coming back because it’s just a great location. It’s great people. They treat you well, and everybody’s just excited to have pickleball growing in the area.”
Carney Lucas, a pickleball enthusiast, completed his matches at Lawrence Scott Park earlier this weekend. He emphasized the accessibility of the sport.
“I think the barrier to entry is just so low, that almost anybody and everybody can play, participate and have fun,” he said. Lucas highlighted how pickleball allows people of different skill levels and ages to enjoy the game together.
Peter Brown, a Tri-Cities native with a background in tennis, discussed the challenges tennis players face when transitioning to pickleball.
“As a tennis player, the smaller nuances took a while to figure it out. It was like frustrating. And it was like, okay, hold on. You don’t just you don’t just kind of bully them off the court,” he said.
Lucas noted the rapid growth of both the sport and the organization.
“The sport itself is exploding and club 509 is here along for the ride and here available to just help anybody and everybody that wants to learn, grow. Be coached, understand the game more, get better and have more fun,” he added.
With pickleball’s popularity on the rise, the tournament showcased the sport’s inclusive nature and potential for growth in the community.
