Pickleball Tournament and Canadian National Champion Featured in Oklee

On Saturday, September 14th, something exciting and challenging will be happening in Oklee on the newly created pickleball courts! A doubles tournament open to any level of play with double elimination format will be held at the courts on the south end of town beginning at 11:00 am.  There will be prizes for the top 3 winners in this tournament.  According to Oklee Pickleball President, Dave Olson, players from Fargo, Crookston, Bemidji, Mentor, Oklee and a Canadian gold medal champion pickleball player have registered for the tournament.

Rose Sawatzky from Morden, Manitoba is recognized and has experience as a Level 1 "International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association”, or IPTPA, instructor.  She is a certified instructor who knows the specific strokes, strategies and shot selections specific to pickleball.  Sawatzky has held numerous clinics in Manitoba and in neighboring provinces.  She has won more than 50 GOLD medals in pickleball tournaments to date!  

Sawatzky began playing pickleball 2 years ago while on vacation.  She went home to Morden, Manitoba to find that pickleball was thriving in her local community.  She began playing every chance she could get, and rapidly gained experience and improved her technique through countless hours of practice and drills. 

According to Sawatzky, she loves the enthusiasm she sees in people’s eyes when they grasp the concept of the game and embrace it as their new hobby.  “Not only is the sport a good workout, but the social aspect is something I look forward to as well.”  Sawatzky recognizes that wherever she goes there are people who are so energetic and committed to the game.  

Rose Sawatzky's level of pickleball skill is something special for our community.  Everyone is welcome to come and watch the tournament on September 14th, and also have the opportunity to experience an exceptional level of play for this area.