Crescent Bar hosting Pickleball tourney

CRESCENT BAR — The Greater Crescent Bar Association is hosting their second annual pickleball tournament this weekend. This year Christie Gilbert, one of the tournament organizers, said the plan is to build off the success of last year’s event. 

“We started it last year as a family fun event, trying to create some activities here in Crescent Bar, and it went over very well,” said Gilbert. “We had a huge turnout and were super excited about it.” 

The tournament festivities kick off Friday evening with food and drink specials at Tower Pizza and Sunworks, The Hangar Pub and Sunfire Grille & Lounge. There will also be live music playing throughout the night.

During this time, those participating in the tournament can check in. 

There will be a tournament meeting at 10 a.m. Saturday and first matchups begin at 11 a.m. Courts will be set up all across Crescent Bar as competitors jump around from place to place. 

The championship match will be held at the Sunserra location and will be followed by an awards ceremony at 5 p.m. Following the awards ceremony, live music with Whiskey Trail will be held at Tower Pizza starting at around 8 p.m. 

Tournament participants are vying for the grand prize of the Chuck Cup. The trophy is dedicated in honor of Chuck Mueller, who passed away over the last year and was an integral in helping with medical care on the courts throughout the competition. 

“It is now called our ‘Chuck Cup’ so that is what everybody is participating for is trying to get their name on that,” said Gilbert. 

Various local businesses will be on site supporting the tournament including Riverside Dawgs serving hot dogs, snacks and beverages, Hats by Peyton making customized hats and Boyd’s Recreation riding around in their golf carts. 

"We hope for a great turnout,” said Gilbert. “The weather is not supposed to be too cooperative, but that might be kind of nice for the players to not be too hot out there.” 

Registration for the tournament ended June 13, and this year’s tournament was narrowed down to teams of mixed doubles. She said this helped make organizing brackets much easier for tournament organizers. 

Most aspects from last year’s tournament will remain the same for this year, said Gilbert. Matches will last 20 minutes each as they try to get everyone through the bracket by the end of the day. 

She said the previous success of the tourney has her excited for what they can accomplish this weekend. 

“We didn’t really change too much this year,” said Gilbert. “It just was really nice because all of the different communities down in Crescent Bar came together for it. Really great family event, so I’m hoping we get that same turnout with people coming out to watch.” 

Gilbert said she is excited to once again have the opportunity to hold the tournament and is looking forward to seeing this year’s turnout. 

“I think that (it’s) a cool event for us to have everybody in the community participating,” she said. “I think the growth of it is fun and I’m excited to see where it goes.” 

    A woman competing in the previous Crescent Bar Pickleball tourney serves the ball to her opponents.
  

    Two pickleball players keep their eye on the ball as they hit the ball over the net. This year’s tournament features exclusively mixed doubles teams.
  

    Pickleball teams go head-to-head at the previous Pickleball tourney in 2025.