Pickleball Competitors Heat It Up

New courts put a shine on the tournament
Story and photos by Mark Pitzer

Note: The Pickleball mania that has swept through the country is no more apparent than here in Fremont where players from throughout the county and beyond have embraced the impressive, newly inaugurated courts on Maple St. N3 asked Mark (who previously shared his Electric Forest experience oin our pages) to give us the skinny on how the first event held at the new courts played out.

Fremont recently hosted a successful two day Pickleball Tournament at the new outdoor courts on Maple Street; close to downtown.
Over one hundred volunteers and players came together to participate in Newaygo County's biggest Pickleball competition Friday 7/18 and Saturday 7/19.  Forty two, 2 person teams registered and played on six newly completed courts. Players competed in categories based on ability, age and gender, with some players competing in multiple categories with mixed doubles on Saturday.

Special recognition is earned by the players that travel the greatest distance to participate. The winning couple traveled 430 miles downstate from Marquette.  Volunteers and competitors worked together to make this tournament a landmark event for Newaygo County players.

Baby Food Festival Pickleball Tournament Medal Winners

Friday, July 19, 2019

Men’s 4.0
​1st Place      Roger Hershberger and Steven Hershberger
2nd Place      John Sinicki and Tony Linn
3rd Place       Aiden Fickle and Jeff Drudi

Men’s 3.5  50 years and above
1st Place      Tom Schlaffer and John Durham
2nd Place    Jim Walker and Matt Feldpaush
3rd Place    Ben Bonk Sr. and Scott Bonk

Men’s 3.5. 49 years and younger
1st Place    Richard Betz and Chris Christoffersen
2nd Place    Lance Anderson and David Castillo
3rd Place    Steve Coxon and Cole Hudson

Women’s 4.0
1st Place    Jaymie Riedel and Jen Stuppy
2nd Place    Julia Henderson and Denise Fishell
3rd Place    Betsy Jasper and Christine Christoffersen

Women’s 3.5
1st Place    Jonra Jacoby and April Rastoskey
2nd Place    Kim Schoof and Tracey Holmberg
3rd Place    Rayme Supernaw and Kristin Krim

Women’s 3.0
1st Place    Bev Leimback and Vicki Howard
2nd Place    Pat Durham and Christie Pollock
3rd Place    Lynn Brookhouse and Katie Harrington

Saturday, July 20, 2019

Mixed 4.0
1st Place    Jodie Kyes and Walker Christoffersen
2nd Place    Christine Christoffersen and Lance Anderson
3rd Place    Jen Stuppy and Jeff Stuppy

Mixed 3.5   50 and Above
1st Place    Denise Fishnell and Tony LInn
2nd Place    Mary Reese Pumford and Mike Pumford
3rd Place    Marilyn Reichardt and James Kremer

Mixed 3.5  49 years and Under
1st Place    Angie Patton and Matt Feldpausch
2nd Place    Rayme Supernaw and Rich Betz
3rd Place    Tracey Holmberg and Chris Christoffersen

Mixed 3.0
1st Place    Barb Jamros and Rob Jamros
2nd Place    Tawnie Kane and David Castillo
3rd Place    Amanda Danley and Mike Kane

The courts are open to the public from 7:30 AM through 9:00 PM.  Newaygo County Pickleball Club host regular play for locals and visitors on M-W-F from 9:00 - 12:00 for mostly competitive players and T-Th-F from 9:00 - 12:00 for recreational and newcomers to this popular game.