Online registration underway for Beginnings Care for Life Pickleball tourney Sept. 14

BRANCH COUNTY — New Beginnings for Life will hold its eighth annual pickleball tournament on Saturday, Sept. 14, at the Coldwater Township pickleball courts. The tournament is a fundraiser for the pregnancy center.

According to the 2023 tournament director Joe Hayes, there were 104 participants last year, including individuals and teams from Fort Wayne, Jackson, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and South Bend, but a majority from the Coldwater area.

There are men's, women's, and mixed doubles teams. Hayes said that with more younger players, age brackets of 55 and up and 18-54 were introduced to enhance competition.

The tournament starts at 8 a.m. on the eight Sprague St. Township courts. The first event is round-robin pool play, so all teams get a chance to play four or five games. Winners then have bracket play to select champions in each division.

Entry fees are $40 for the player's first event. You can also register for mixed doubles with an additional $35, totaling $75.

Register online at https://www.beginningscare.com/pickle-ball-tournament .

Hayes said, "There's some people playing that are advanced, very competitive. Some people are just starting out in pickleball, kind of novice, beginners, There's a place for all of them."

The township added bleachers for spectators on the west side of the courts.

Hayes said, "The township built a great facility here. That's one of the attractions for this tournament and those who play for fun."

Hayes plays regularly. "Where else can you go and get that type of exercise, socialization, and participation."

Hayes is handing off the tournament directorship to Tiffany Schwemer this year.

Beginnings Care for Life Executive Director Jane Ford said the event started in 2019 as a fundraiser for the pregnancy center. "We are offering help, truth, and hope for women, men, and families in our community through pregnancy tests, parenting education, fatherhood support, and healthy relationships education."

Subscribe Follow local events. Subscribe to the Daily Reporter.

All the services are free and funded through fundraisers and individual contributions.

Contact Don Reid: dReid@Gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Online registration underway for Beginnings Care for Life Pickleball tourney Sept. 14