By Sally Brock
Guest Writer
Several local players from the Mountain Lakes pickleball group in Hayesville and the Valley River Picklers in Murphy joined players from across the southern states to compete in a three day tournament in Hiawassee on Sept. 30 through Oct. 2.
More than 360 players registered to play in the annual Georgia Mountain Pickleball Fall Classic which included full day schedules of women’s doubles, mixed doubles and men’s doubles. There were some cancellations of players due to Hurricane Ian but tournament organizers restructured brackets and the local weather held out for the tournament to be completed as planned.
Clay County resident Jim Ackerly and Harry Hearne of Valley River Picklers in Murphy played in a very competitive bracket Sunday afternoon. Ackerly and Hearne won five of their six matches in the round robin format. At the conclusion of play, three teams were tied with only one loss each.
Tournament rules state that medalists are then determined by head-to-head competition results and point differentials. After those factors were calculated Ackerly and Hearne were named Bronze medalists in a very tough bracket.
Several other local players competed throughout the weekend in the well organized tournament managed by many Georgia Mountain Pickleball players and volunteers.
As evidenced by the turnout for the recent Hiawassee tournament, pickleball has become a tremendously fast-growing sport throughout our area and across the country.
To assist those interested in learning the game Mountain Lakes Pickleball hosted a clinic for beginning players Saturday, Oct. 8 beginning at 9 a.m. at the Clay County Recreation Center. There was no cost and loaner paddles were available. The lesson was led by local USAPA ambassadors Harry Jarrett and Mike Gonzalez.