Conway hosts inaugural “Summer Slam” pickleball tournament on new Collins Park courts

CONWAY, S.C. (WBTW)– The fastest growing sport in America is also growing right here on the Grand Strand.

On Saturday, 44 teams took to the Collins Park pickleball courts in Conway for the city’s inaugural “Summer Slam” tournament.

In all, 88 players competed in the heat on surfaces that opened just six months ago. The tournament ran from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Event director Nick Bucholtz said in order to have a good tournament you need to have great players. And that’s why national pro Rick Witskin took a break from his vacation to participate.

Witskin is co-founder of the National Pickleball League.

“I actually run camps all over America, and outside of America and play in professional tournaments. And to come to a smaller community like Conway and see this amount of growth and 40 some teams in this tournament Nick is running and the beautiful new facility, that brings goosebumps to me,” he said. “And I’m always going to want to be associated with that.”

“The Grand Strand actually is a pretty big pickleball community,” said Myrtle Beach resident and tournament participant Jeff Wahl said. “It’s amazing to see all the age groups, see everybody here having a good time.”

There was dozens of spectators cheering on the players, and food trucks for everyone to enjoy.

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Adriana Cotero is News13’s weekend evening anchor and a morning reporter. She joined the team in July 2023 after working in the island of Guam. Adriana is from Saline, Michigan, and graduated from Central Michigan University. Follow Adriana on Facebook , X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram and read more of her work here .

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