Pickleball Tournament September 14th was a Success in Oklee

 Pickleball ruled the day in Oklee on Saturday, September 14th as pickleball players participated in an international 13 team round robin tournament! The tournament featured participants from Saskatchewan, East Grand Forks, Manitoba, Crookston, Fargo, Thief River Falls, Oklee, St. Hilaire, Bemidji, Bagley, Mentor and Plummer.  This tournament, sponsored by Papa Murphy’s in Thief River Falls and organized by Dave and Shari Olson, showcased Oklee's new pickleball courts and the hospitality of the Oklee community.  

The pickleball players were divided into 2 brackets based on level of experience.  Group 1 winners were Larry Laudon and Phil McDonald from Bemidji.  Second place in group 1 went to the team of Rose Sawatzky, Morden, Manitoba and Trisha Cyr, Fargo, ND.  In group 2, first place was awarded to Larry Olson and Bob Melby, Oklee.  Second place winners in group 2 were John Ivaniszyn and Caleb Rosendahl, Thief River Falls.  1st and 2nd place winners in both brackets received gift certificates from  TJ’s Tavern, Oklee. Following the tournament, Rose Sawatzky, a professional pickleball instructor, gave lessons on specific strokes, strategies and shot selections specific to pickleball to those who participated in the tournament.

    Papa Murphy’s, Thief River Falls, donated 8 certificates for pizza, and the winners of those gift certificates were:  Owen Chervestad, Bobbie Olson, Jack Rosendahl, Jason Jensen, Caleb Rosendahl, Tracy Hamm, Sara Rosendahl and Larry Olson.  In addition to the participants, several spectators from the area enjoyed the excitement of the games, and in spite of a brief shower and windy conditions for a short time the weather was great for this event.  Oklee Pickleball Club President, Dave Olson, received positive feedback on the tournament and was pleased with the number of participants.  

Pickleball play in Oklee is designated for Sunday nights at 6:30, weather permitting, but many nights of the week players are out on the courts. Contact Dave Olson, 701-261-7605, if you are interested in playing pickleball, and would like to be on the call list when play is scheduled during the week.