The Happy Trails Resort, located at 17200 W. Bell Road, is gearing up to host its 18th Annual Happy Trails Pickleball Classic, a cannot-be-missed fixture of the pickleball calendar for those players aged 50 and above.
Scheduled to run from January 15 to 19, this event has secured its position as one of the most enduring pickleball competitions nationwide.
A Pivotal Gathering
Originating in 2005, this tournament has evolved into a pivotal gathering within the pickleball community, drawing participants from various corners of the nation and Canada. Nestled within the vibrant and picturesque setting of Happy Trails, it has become a truly landmark fixture in the sport’s calendar.
Happy Trails bears a significant historical significance in the pickleball domain, serving as the very location where the sport debuted in the Arizona Senior Olympics back in 2001. This inaugural event, boasting a roster of 100 players, stood as the largest pickleball event of its time, laying the groundwork for the remarkable expansion of the sport in the ensuing years.
Growing Steadily
Growing steadily every year since then, the Happy Trails Pickleball Classic has witnessed an exponential surge in engagement, consistently attracting over 400 eager participants. This year’s edition vows to carry on the tradition of fostering camaraderie, honing skills, and upholding the spirit of sportsmanship among players of diverse expertise levels.
More than just a tournament, the 18th Annual Happy Trails Pickleball Classic represents a jubilant celebration of the sport’s storied past, a testament to the unwavering commitment of its players and the lively community that has flourished around it.
“Some Of The Friendliest Hosts Around”
Tournament Director Doug Smook told yourvalley.net, “Don’t be fooled by the age of the players. Us seniors still have some great game. Come check out the Western-themed tournament, take a ride in your own personal shuttle to and from the venue, and meet some of the friendliest hosts around.”
For further details, please reach out to Tournament Marketing Director Al Dutcher at 507-382-3001 or [email protected].
The City of Surprise is one of the best pickleballing hotbeds in the whole nation, and not “surprisingly” has a network of courts and clubs that is the envy of the country.
The Surprise Pickleball Leagues
One of its features is the presence of the City of Surprise Pickleball Leagues program.
You may sign up online at the Surprise Recreation Registration site or by visiting the Surprise Tennis & Racquet Complex at 14469 W Paradise Lane. You may also call the center at 623-222-2400.
Players on the waitlist can sub in the league.
There is a $3/$4 resident/non-resident drop-in fee for the morning leagues and a $4/$5 resident/non-resident drop-in fee for the evening leagues.
You will need to have an account with the City of Surprise Recreation Department.
Tommy Wong Memorial Tournament
Also, don’t miss the 2024 edition of the Tommy Wong Memorial Tournament, one of two annual tournaments the Surprise Pickleball Association holds every year.
Tommy Wong was instrumental in getting pickleball going in Surprise. The proceeds from this tournament provide the funding for the high school scholarships.
About Surprise, Arizona
Surprise is about 22 miles northwest of Phoenix and has a population was 143,148, according to the 2020 census.
The city has a rich pickleballing heritage and was chosen to be the location of the first United States National Pickleball Championships in 2009.
