Words by Jenny Lynn Davis | Images by Al Blanton
The Kiwanis Club of Jasper held its inaugural Pickleball Classic over the weekend at the City of Jasper’s new pickleball courts at Memorial Park.
Initially scheduled for Saturday only, the event ended up spanning Saturday and Sunday due to weather conditions.
108 participants played in 163 matches over the two days. Most were local to Walker County, but some came from Jefferson and Winston Counties and even as far away as Enterprise, Alabama, and Corinth, Mississippi.
Winners were named across nine different events and are as follows:
Men’s Doubles (14-35)
Gold: Gary Brasher & Tanner Brasher
Silver: Tyler Walden & Emanuel Longoria
Bronze: Elezar Lopez & Buster Howell
Men’s Doubles (36-55)
Gold: Paul Nielson & Grant Scoble
Silver: Brandon Frazier & Gary Aaron
Bronze: Danny Gosa & Todd Homan
Men’s Doubles (56+)
Gold: Randy Billingsley & Eddie Jones
Silver: Gary Rowland & Anthony Benson
Bronze: Robert Seiberling & Gary Douglas
Women’s Doubles (14-35)
Gold: Melissa Alexander & Cydni Aaron
Silver: Caroline McKellar & Hannah Coons
Bronze: Bailee Dempsey & Courtney Walker
Women’s Doubles (36-55)
Gold: Jenna Way & Kristen McGill
Silver: Eunice Guthrie & Ginger Seiberling
Bronze: Melissa Wilkinson & Beckie Jones
Women’s Doubles (56+)
Gold: Susan Shubert & Cindy Rowland
Silver: June Darty & Angela Harris
Bronze: Patty Terry & Kris Beall
Mixed Doubles (14-35)
Gold: Sarah Williams & Harrison King
Silver: Emma Rigsby & Buster Howell
Bronze: Melissa Alexander & Elezar Lopez
Mixed Doubles (36-55)
Gold: Kay Frazier & Blake Frazier
Silver: Angela Harris & Brandon Frazier
Bronze: Eunice Guthrie & Paul Nielson
Mixed Doubles (56+)
Gold: June Darty & Gary Aaron
Silver: Kris Beall & Roy Beall
Bronze: Mechelle Armstrong & Hampton Armstrong
All funds raised from this event will go toward funding programs and projects that will benefit children, youth, and disabled people in Walker County.
“Fundraisers like the Pickleball Classic help Kiwanis Club of Jasper fund our programs like the Bringing Up Grades (BUG) program and annual Track and Field Day, but also contribute to our system where qualified nonprofits can apply for grants through Kiwanis,” said Jeremy Hagood, Secretary of the Kiwanis Club of Jasper. “Pickleball Classic funds, specifically, will add to the grants we can provide.”
Hagood says Kiwanis Club of Jasper wishes to thank event sponsors: Alabama Credit Union, Alfa Insurance – Luke Knighton and Chad Hayes, ERA Byars Realty – Beckie Jones, Design On You, Jasper Orthodontics, Synovus, UPS, Wesley Eye Center, Young Jewelers, Alabama Back Institute, Alabama Power, Amanda Darty DMD, Boutique Tallulah, Capstone Health, Carl Cannon Chevrolet Buick GMC – Greg Williams, Farley Recycling, Harbor Chase of Jasper, Jack & Anne Allen, and State Farm – Gina Scruggs.
Kiwanis Club of Jasper’s 2024 grant recipients will be named on June 3. Hagood says that nearly $10,000 in grants and $1,500 in scholarships will be awarded this year.
Kiwanis Club of Jasper meets for lunch every Monday at noon (holidays notwithstanding) in the Bevill State Cafeteria. Those interested in membership are welcome to attend. WL
