MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WMBF) – The Pepper Geddings Recreation Center hosted its 8th annual ‘Pickleball with a Purpose’ tournament on Friday morning.
The competition is held every March in memory of Rena Grant, the founder of pickleball in Myrtle Beach.
Linda Hopkinson, Rena’s daughter, says her mother’s goal was to bring the fun of pickleball to Myrtle Beach.
“The most important thing is that this sport needed to be fun. That’s why she brought it here,” Hopkinson said. “So when she sees people being a little too serious, she would say ‘no, this is all about fun, you’ve got to make it fun for everybody,’ and that’s what this tournament is all about.”
Twenty teams took to the courts for the chance to win gold and to support the tournament’s charitable goal.
All money raised will go towards the Mark Schild Youth Scholarship Program. This fund supports around 100 underprivileged children yearly to participate in recreational sports.
Chris Millsaps, Pepper Geddings Center supervisor and tournament player, says he is grateful this sport can have such a great impact on the community.
“It feels good just to know we can benefit and help out the community with something as easy as a pickleball tournament,” Millsaps said. “I mean, this is fun to plan, fun to do, it’s fun to play in, it’s fun to see the other players getting to play. It’s just a good feeling.”
‘Pickleball with a Purpose’ raised over $600 this year for the Mark Schild Youth Scholarship Program.
The competition has continued to grow since the start of the tournament in 2017.
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