Oakdale Pickleball Club’s Free Tournaments: The pickleball scene in the region is buzzing with excitement, thanks to the Oakdale Pickleball Club. Since its founding, the club has made waves by organizing two well-received pickleball tournaments at Gilbert Park. Established by four Oakdale High School alumni—Trenton Stanton, Evan Elizondo, Isaiah Hamby, and Jebb Fox—the club reflects their shared passion for sports and community engagement. Their transition from water polo to pickleball has revived local recreational activities.
Community-Focused Tournaments with Broad Appeal
In just a few weeks, the Oakdale Pickleball Club has managed to draw in 15 teams for their tournaments. The club, driven by a desire to address the perceived lack of entertainment in their hometown, offers bi-weekly tournaments that are open to players of all skill levels.
“I remember going to school at Oakdale High, my fellow classmates would complain about a lack of entertainment in our hometown.” – (Stanton)
To address this, the club hosts free tournaments at Gilbert Park, providing a platform for all seasoned players and beginners.
Recent Tournament Highlights and Participant Feedback
The early August tournament showed a range of creative team names and competitive spirit. The podium featured ATP, with Trevor Williams and Brian Puentes securing third place; Silky Gazelles, with Robert Stout and Riley Wilcox earning second; and Big Dink Energy, led by Ryan Carey and Moe Moe, clinching first place. Winners were awarded medals in recognition of their achievements.
“There was water and Gatorade for the participants, everybody was nice and friendly, and it’s just a laid-back environment and a great way to meet people and develop your pickleball skills.” – (Jason Jericoff, participant)
The absence of a fee and the encouragement of donations reflect the club’s commitment to inclusivity.
Weekly Community Engagement and Upcoming Events
Beyond tournaments, the Oakdale Pickleball Club also organizes weekly Pickleball in the Park events every Monday night from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Gilbert Park.
“We see so many different groups playing at Gilbert Park (North Eighth Avenue/East D Street) and Fish Park (Pontiac Street) every night, we thought we’d just try to bring them all together.” – (Elizondo)
Looking ahead, the club is gearing up for its third tournament scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 17 at 5 p.m., with expectations of an even larger turnout.
News in Brief: Oakdale Pickleball Club’s Free Tournaments
The Oakdale Pickleball Club, founded by four Oakdale High School alumni, is making waves with its free, bi-weekly pickleball tournaments at Gilbert Park. The club has quickly attracted 15 teams and offers a welcoming environment for players of all levels.
Recent tournaments featured competitive play with Big Dink Energy securing first place. In addition to tournaments, the club hosts weekly Pickleball in the Park events on Mondays. The next tournament is scheduled for August 17, promising an even larger turnout.
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