1st Pickleball Tournament at Port Austin: The village of Port Austin is hosting its first pickleball tournament fundraiser at Gallup Park on Friday, Aug. 23. This round-robin event has sparked interest, with an entry fee of $25 per player. Registration is currently open through Aug. 19, with check-in beginning at 8 a.m. on the day of the tournament. The matches will kick off at 9 a.m., bringing the community together for a day of competitive fun.
Goals and Aspirations
Jerry Haraburda, a member of the Port Austin Pickleball Committee, highlighted the tournament’s purpose. “We want to have 50 players on 25 teams for the tournament,” Haraburda said. He also shared the committee’s long-term vision:
“We’re shooting at getting the pickleball, tennis, and basketball courts resurfaced. We also want to dedicate the pickleball sites, tennis courts, and basketball courts. That’s our goal for the first year. For the second year, we’re shooting for constructing the pavilion and drinking fountains. We’ll go from there.” – (Haraburda)
Community Support
The local response has been overwhelmingly positive. “The village council has been very receptive,” Haraburda noted. “The chamber of commerce has been receptive. We’ll be back at the farmers market this Saturday and next Saturday promoting it. We’ve had fantastic responses so far.”
The event promotion continues, with flyers featuring a Venmo QR code to streamline the entry fee payment process.
“We will have a Venmo account set up through the village. Players can go through and pick up a flyer with the Venmo QR code on it. That will be posted on the (village of Port Austin) Facebook page soon.” – (Haraburda)
Looking Ahead
If weather disrupts the plans on Aug. 23, the tournament will be rescheduled to Saturday, Aug. 24. Haraburda emphasized that all funds raised will directly benefit the community. “It all goes into the Port Austin village account,” he said, ensuring transparency and trust in how the money will be used.
News in Brief: 1st Pickleball Tournament at Port Austin
Port Austin is set to host its first pickleball tournament at Gallup Park on Aug. 23. The fundraiser, a round-robin event, requires a $25 entry fee, with registration open until Aug. 19. The tournament, starting at 9 a.m., aims to draw 50 players and support the resurfacing of local courts.
Future goals include building a pavilion and installing drinking fountains. The event has received strong backing from the village council and chamber of commerce. A Venmo QR code will be available for easy payment, with a rain date set for Aug. 24 if needed.
ALSO READ: When Life Gives You Tennis, Choose Pickleball: Funniest Pickleball Memes
