Get Ready for Pickleball Madness in Mentor.
Pickleball resembles a combination of tennis, badminton and ping-pong. Players use a solid paddle and a perforated plastic ball, similar to a whiffle ball. The sport has been around since the 1960s but has recently exploded in popularity and is now the fastest growing racquet sport in the country.
The idea to bring pickleball to the Mentor area was initiated in early 2012, after brothers Mike and Brian Murphy had observed the game in Texas and talked about bringing it to Mentor. During the summer of 2012, they convinced the City of Mentor to permit a pickleball court to be striped onto an existing court at Walsh Park. A small but dedicated group of individuals began playing that summer.
Recognizing the growth potential of the sport, the City began converting some of their Civic Center tennis courts into pickleball courts. Today, they have 12 courts at the facility which makes it one of the largest, state-of-the-art complexes in the country.
The decision proved wise. Courts are filled three nights a week with league play, one night for classes with open play in between.
And, they’ll be packed again this weekend as the facility hosts the 2015 Madness in Mentor Pickleball Tournament which is expected to draw over 1,000 attendees and 120 teams from 9 states and Canada.
“Two years ago, the first Madness in Mentor Tournament drew 59 teams. Last year, over 90 teams participated,” says Brian Murphy, “We’re really excited to witness the growth of this tournament, not to mention this sport.”
Murphy notes that part of Pickleball’s appeal is that it can be enjoyed by players of all ages.
“Younger players are attracted by the hipness of the sport. For older tennis and racquetball players, it’s a great way to stay fit as well as stay competitive. The cost of entry is really affordable with a good paddle running you about $75.00 and another $2.00 for a ball,” says Murphy.
“Our classes and leagues fill up quickly. Our July session already has a waiting list,” adds Murphy.
Equipment is available at the Civic Center Pool for those who would like to give pickleball a try. Residents can contact Mentor Recreation at (440) 974-5720 for court and equipment availability.
To learn more, go to www.mentorpickleball.org for the most complete and up-to-date information on Pickleball activities in Mentor.