Pickleball America hosts 1st Winter Classic Amateur Pickleball Tournament in Stamford

Pickleball America brought together over 200 pickleball players on Sunday for a tournament in Stamford.

The venue's first Winter Classic tournament brought people from near and far, including eight different states at one of the largest pickleball venues in the United States.

The sport itself has soared in popularity, giving people of all ages the ability to play with paddle in hand.

"Anyone can play the game. Whether you're 10 years old or whether you're 80 years old,” said Bret Herman, the Chief Operating Officer of Pickleball America. “In this tournament we have kids as young as 15 and we have seniors."

Competitors of all ages took their best shot like a 76-year-old Stamford resident who made third place with a stranger all the way from West Hartford.

"I'm just happy to be here, just to play... to be able to play,” said Daria Cater, of Stamford.

"It was easy, it was fun. Just how I like to play,” said Pat Brett, of West Hartford.

Cater and Brett both needed a partner in order to compete, so they took a gamble on each other.

"She's like I've known her all my life. It's amazing,” Cater said.