By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw
WINONA LAKE — The Pickleball frenzy continues to snowball and Kosciusko County is proving to be a hotbed for the sport.
Earlier this week, organizers of the second annual Winona Lake Sunset Pickleball Tournament announced the number of participants in next week’s tournament has increased by about 100 players to 270 players.
“I think I estimated we’ll have 140 players on Saturday and 160 on Sunday,” said Tournament Director David Thieme. “We will have a full day and be hopping the whole time, to say the least.”
The tournament will span three days beginning Friday, Sept. 6 at the Winona Lake pickleball courts.
Registration ended about a week ago with the anticipation that they would need to cut it off early because of lingering interest, Thieme said.
Thieme said they’ve seen growth in various age groups and geography with many players coming from Fort Wayne and the South Bend-Mishawaka area.
“The other area we’ve seen a lot of growth in is in our higher-end players,’ he said.
Last year, the tournament raised $7,000 for Combined Community Services and this year, with growing interest, Theime said that they could reach $20,00, with money going toward World Compassion Network.
“I think that is outstanding and that is why I want to do the tournament,” Thieme said.
Aside from a regional multi-state tournament held in Fort Wayne, Theime said the tournament in Winona Lake has become the biggest he know of in the northern half of Indiana.
He said they’ve reached capacity this year but could expand next year if they find a second location.
In case of rain, they have reserved the Gordon Health and Wellness Center on the campus of Grace College as a backup.
