The Hamilton Eye Institute Lions Club, in conjunction with The University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) Pickleball Club, is organizing a mixed doubles pickleball tournament on Saturday, October 28th.
Growing Popularity
The event gets underway at 9 a.m. and is taking place at the UTHSC tennis courts situated at the intersection of Doctor M.L.K. Jr. Avenue and East Street in Memphis, TN.
Dr. Catherine Quiñones, an ophthalmology resident at UTHSC and the tournament’s organizer, was enthusiastic about the growing popularity of pickleball within the UTHSC community and beyond.
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She said, “Pickleball has become really popular among people here at UTHSC and throughout the community. It’s really fun because it’s social; it’s something that you can play with others, so it’s a great way to raise money for our cause.”
Cataract-A-Thon
The Hamilton Eye Institute Lions Club is a non-profit entity dedicated to providing eye care services to underserved populations.
Locally, their efforts include the Cataract-A-Thon, an annual initiative offering free cataract surgeries to individuals lacking the means to cover the procedure.
The club also coordinates biannual missions to a clinic in Guatemala, where volunteers perform cost-free eye surgeries for children in need.
Dr. Quiñones added, “Our global outreach program is really important because there’s been such a great increase in need.
“I was able to participate in planning our first mission to Guatemala after Covid, when I was a UTHSC medical student, and being a part of that and participating in the mission was really impactful.”
An Open Invitation
Proceeds from the pickleball tournament will support the Cataract-A-Thon, ensuring that cataract surgeries are accessible to those who face financial barriers.
The tournament extends an open invitation to all adult community members, with a reduced entry fee for UTHSC students.
Individuals without a partner can request one prior to registration. The competition is divided into two brackets: one for beginners and another for seasoned players.
Each team is guaranteed a minimum of two matches, and all participants will receive a complimentary hat.
Grand prizes await the victors of each bracket, while second and third-place teams will also be rewarded.
Additionally, the tournament will feature a costume contest, with a special prize earmarked for the team with the most impressive attire.
Team registration stands at $40 for UTHSC students and $50 for the general public, with online registration available. For further information, inquiries can be directed to [email protected].
