Nicol Family Pickleball Adventure: The Nicol family from Kula, Hawaii, traveled more than 4,600 miles to compete in the USA Pickleball Golden Ticket Tournament in Greensboro, North Carolina, in late May 2025. Father Scott Nicol, son Connor Nicol, and daughter Sierra Nicol all took part, making memories together on and off the court.
Balancing School, Travel, and Pickleball
The trip came at a busy time for the Nicol family. Connor Nicol, 30, had just graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and planned to take the bar exam later in the summer.
“This is kind of like my vacation before I really get into studying for the bar,” Connor said.
Seventeen-year-old Sierra Nicol, who will be a high school senior, was visiting colleges on the East Coast. She had already toured schools in Boston when her father suggested they also check out Wake Forest University and Elon University, both close to Greensboro. That plan allowed the family to combine college tours with competition at the Golden Ticket tournament.
Success on the Court
The Nicols arrived in North Carolina on May 29, and Connor started competing the very next day in singles. His performance on May 30 earned him a spot in the 2025 USA Pickleball National Championships, scheduled for November 15–23 in San Diego. He later teamed up with his father, Scott, in doubles. The duo qualified for Nationals for the second straight year.
“We were just talking about (that). He’s like, ‘Oh, you’re going to be able to show your kids that,’” Connor said. “I was like ‘You’re going to be able to show your grandkids that.’ This is all memory making right now.”
Connor also paired with Sierra in mixed doubles. It was Sierra’s first time competing in a pickleball tournament.
A Family Sport
The Nicol family shares a strong connection to pickleball. Scott Nicol first picked up the sport and encouraged his children to join in. Connor brought experience from tennis, while Sierra mainly played volleyball. Together, the game became a way to spend time with their father.
“He loves it so much,” Sierra said, laughing. “We have a (pickleball) court at our house now. It’s insane.”
She added that when guests visit, she often joins her father for doubles. “But with Connor, it’s usually fine,” she said. “Sometimes we do get annoyed, but yeah, it’s pretty fine most of the time.”
Sierra noted that her mother also enjoys pickleball but prefers casual games at home instead of traveling for tournaments.
A Memorable Trip
After the tournament, Scott and Sierra continued touring colleges along the East Coast before heading home. The family left with more than tournament results — they also built lasting memories through travel, competition, and shared time together.
“It was really fun,” Sierra said.
News in Brief: Nicol Family Pickleball Adventure
The Nicol family from Kula, Hawaii, traveled over 4,600 miles to compete at the USA Pickleball Golden Ticket Tournament in Greensboro, North Carolina, in May 2025. Connor, Scott, and Sierra Nicol all played, with Connor and Scott qualifying for Nationals. The trip also included college visits for Sierra.