Record-Breaking Orcas Island Pickleball Tournament Nets $10K for Local Causes—See Who Won Big

The eighth annual Orcas Island Rotary Pickleball Tournament at Buck Park on August 2-3 raised $10,000 for local nonprofits, including Mercy Flights and the Orcas Park & Rec District. Tournament Director Keith Light said, “Pickleball is more than sport – it’s about community. Our Orcas club is dedicated to raising funds for local nonprofits each year.”

Record Participation and Exciting Competition

The two-day tournament hosted a record 92 players, a 50% increase over 2024. Participants came from Orcas, San Juan, and Lopez islands, as well as Hawaii, California, Oregon, Texas, Georgia, and the Seattle area. Events included mixed doubles, women’s doubles, and men’s doubles.

Tournament Winners

Intermediate Mixed Doubles – Group A:

1. Laurel Shim and Doug Miller

2. Linda Hamilton and Todd McCombs

Intermediate Mixed Doubles – Group B:

1. Jennifer Border and Joe Miller

2. Stephanie Levasheff and David Kane

Competitive Mixed Doubles:

1. Maggie Kulyk and Kevin Lee

2. Christine Lee and Max Lee

Intermediate Women’s Doubles – Group A:

1. Stephanie Levasheff and Emily Grindrland

2. Monica Connell and Barb Skotte

Intermediate Women’s Doubles – Group B:

1. Julia Weese-Young and Merriss Waters

2. Rosedanie Cadet and April Pollock

Intermediate Men’s Doubles – Group A:

1. Dave Onsum and Matt Onsum

2. Ethan Brazil and Bob Connell

Intermediate Men’s Doubles – Group B:

1. Andy Hiester and Todd McCombs

2. Alex Pitschka and Jupiter Pitschka

Competitive Men’s Doubles:

1. Ethan Schmidt and Nigel Oswald

2. Max Lee and Kevin Lee

The John Kelly Memorial Award was presented to Darcy Leach. Darcy received a humorous pickleball shirt, honoring John Kelly’s tradition. John’s wife Patty and son Connor presented the award.

Community Support

The tournament featured a Saturday BBQ and a prize raffle supporting the Orcas Island Pickleball Club. Key sponsors included Chicory Weath, Island Petroleum, Ray’s Pharmacy & Island Life, WaFd Bank, Island Market, The Dragonfly Coffee House, Linda Hamilton, SaviBank, Orcas Online, Orcas Island Realty, Country Corner, Island Thyme, Security National Mortgage, Rainshadow Solar, Bob McPherson, and Greg Stafford. In-kind contributions came from Starr Septic Services, Ace Hardware, Botanical Bar, Café Aurora, Eastsound Sporting Goods, Forest Ceramics, Jemuel Morris/Experience Pickleball, Three Naughty Dogs Orchard, Napa, Clever Cow Creamery, Old Goat Creative, and Orcas Island Parks & Rec.

Orcas Island Pickleball Club

Orcas Island Pickleball Club (OIPC) supports a fun, fair pickleball community. Court times are listed on playtimescheduler.com, and drop-ins are welcome. Newcomers can use equipment from the OIPC box at the courts and attend orientation sessions.

News in Brief: Orcas Island Rotary Pickleball Tournament

The Orcas Island Rotary Pickleball Tournament raised $10,000 for local nonprofits on August 2-3. The event drew 92 players from across the U.S., a record for the tournament. Winners included Laurel Shim, Doug Miller, Maggie Kulyk, Kevin Lee, and others. The John Kelly Memorial Award went to Darcy Leach.

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