Pickleball Club holds Poker Tournament

BY Dawn Rankins

The Canyon Lake Pickleball Club held its fall classic Pickleball-Poker Tournament with 109 of its 269 club members coming out to participate or to cheer on their fellow pickleballers under the lights last week.

The unique event had each participant selecting a playing card at the start of each match. Each player on the winning team picks another card in an effort to improve their poker hand.

“The event is simply a social evening out with fellow pickleballers,” Steve Libring, the club secretary, said. “Everyone was randomly matched together with all skill levels playing together, making for a fun couple of evenings together.”

Tournament and Social Director Julie Doherty said everyone let her know that they thoroughly enjoyed the event and had a great time.

“Club members ate well both nights because everyone brought something yummy to share in a potluck-style dinner each night,” she said. “I would like to thank the many members who helped make the event so successful.”

Winners on night one were Julie Crews with a 1st place for her full house, Lisa Patton took 2nd place with a lower full house and Susie Cook took 3rd place with a flush.

Winners of night two were first place Harry Johnson with a full house, second place Mike Kidd with a lower full house and third place Brian Wood with an ace-high flush, barely beating out two other players who had queen-high and jack-high flushes.

Prize winners received gift cards to the Canyon Lake POA facilities.

“The club members enjoy all of our pickleball tournaments,” Steve said. “But, the Poker Tournament seems to be the most popular and anyone can win because it’s not about the score of the pickleball games, it’s about the poker cards that get picked.”

Canyon Lake Pickleball Club membership is open to anyone in the community. Dues are only $30.00 for a full three years of membership.

Upcoming events include a Ladies Night Out Tournament in November, a Junior Clinic in December and the club’s annual Christmas Party in December.

A Men’s Friday Night Lights Tournament will be held in January, the club’s annual Super Bowl Party and Annual Sweethearts and Singles Tournament will take place in February.

The Pickleball Club also hosts a pickleball play and potluck at the courts every third Thursday of the month.

The Canyon Lake Pickleball Club offers free lessons to anyone in the community who wants to learn the sport. For more information, contact Steve at steve.libring@gmail.com.