Royal Lepage Frostbite Men’s Doubles Classic Draws Pickleball Players from Across the Province
The Royal Lepage Frostbite Men’s Doubles Classic in Vernon Draws Pickleball Players from Across the Province
Pickleball enthusiasts from all corners of the province gathered in Vernon for the Royal Lepage Frostbite Men’s Doubles Classic on Saturday, March 15. Hosted by the Vernon Pickleball Association (VPA), the early-season round-robin tournament featured 61 teams and 122 players competing in various divisions and age groups.
Tournament director Richard Chambers expressed his excitement about the high level of competition, stating, “It’s a fairly high standard. We have a full referee contingent and a really great organizational team here.” Players from the Lower Mainland, the Interior, and local areas showcased their skills in what was one of the first tournaments of the season in the province.
The event wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of 30 volunteers who managed the scores, schedules, and referee assignments. Chambers commended the volunteers, saying, “There’s a bunch of complexities to it, and we’ve just got a terrific group of volunteers.”
At the end of the tournament, 10 gold medals were awarded across different skill level divisions. Winners included Brad Tomlinson and Bobby Tomlinson in the Skill 3.0 Age 13-59 category, Garth Rowe and Ken Wright in the Skill 3.0 Age 60+ category, and John Marollano and Danny Lasante in the Skill 3.5 Age 13-55 category, among others.
Looking ahead, the Vernon pickleball facility will host the annual Royal Lepage Women’s tournament on April 12, a mixed tournament on May 10, and the BC Pickleball Championships from July 24-27. The success of the Royal Lepage Frostbite Men’s Doubles Classic sets a promising tone for future pickleball events in the region.
