The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Pickleball tournament a smash hit

By

It was a slam dink.

Take arguably the fastest-growing sport out there and host a two-day tournament for fanatics of pickleball and, sure enough, players showed up to compete.

Pickleball youngster Luke Pulaski gears up and follows through on a shot at the courts Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex on Oct. 14, on the second day of a pickleball tournament hosted by Pickleball Fanatics, a pair of local instructors who teach and promote the sport in Central Pasco County. The two-day tournament featured 120 players — including 18 youth players — and divisions of doubles of men, women and mixed, with winners taking home medals. Pickleball Fanatics has been working for about a year to get permanent, public pickleball courts at a location in or near Land O’ Lakes. (Mike Camunas)

Pickleball Fanatics — a pair of pickleball instructors based in Central Pasco — hosted an adult and youth tournament at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, 3032 Collier Parkway, with players coming from near and far to compete in different divisions and competitions.

About 120 players showed up — including 18 youth players — as the duo of Kathy McCausey and Val Thomopalos looked to promote the sport. They also are using the proceeds to benefit the rec complex — specifically to get public, permanent courts either there or at a nearby location.

“The demand for (permanent pickleball) courts is very significant,” McCausey said. “It’s really just about getting enough money and talking to the right people to get it approved.”

McCausey and Thomopalos say they’ve been working to communicate with the Pasco County Commission to get public, permanent courts, specifically in the Central Pasco area.

The top three teams of the women’s division pose on the podium on Oct. 14, after receiving medals at the two-day pickleball tournament at Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex.

Besides the rec complex, other possible locations are Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park and Wesley Chapel District Park. The pickleball partners also mentioned the county might want courts at Starkey Ranch District Park, as well.

Currently, when pickleball players get together, temporary lines are put on tennis courts. Sarah Vande Berg Tennis Center in Zephyrhills has pickleball courts, but using them requires a membership.

“They don’t really like having to put down lines every time,” Thomopalos said. “We really want something just for pickleball in Central Pasco, and this sport is absolutely popular enough to warrant them.”

The duo has raised somewhere between $10,000 to $15,000, but definitely know it will take a lot more money — as well as the backing of a county board member  — to achieve their goal.

But for now, Pickleball Fanatics will continue to promote the sport by hosting free play, tournaments and the rest of the pickleball craze.

“Anyone can come out and play,” Thomopalos said. “There are no requirements, no experience level — if you want to come play pickleball, come play pickleball with us!”

Pickleball Fanatics
Details: Led by Kathay McCausey and Val Thomopalos, the two instructors give lessons, run tournaments and coordinate impromptu meet-ups of pickleball enthusiasts in Central Pasco.
Info: Visit PickleballFanatics.biz, or email .

Published October 25, 2023

Pickleball enthusiasts — both adults and youth, and talented and inexperienced — flocked to the tennis courts at Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex for a recent two-day tournament.
Chris Torgusen, left, and Brian Ridge rush the net during a pickleball match at the courts at Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex.
Isabella Little, of Spring Hill, watches her return shot sail over the net and into ‘The Kitchen’ during her match on the second day of a pickleball tournament at Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Participants of the youth division of the two-day pickleball tournament tap paddles in sportsmanship following their match.
Robert Parimore, of Thonotosassa, sends a shot back over the net to his opponent during a pickleball match at Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex.
Pickleball Fanatics co-founder Val Thomopalos goes over the match schedules during the second day of the tournament. She and her pickleball partner, Kathy McCausey, hosted the tournament.