Bend Pickleball Club announces that the fourth annual Pacific Northwest Classic, sponsored by Thump Coffee, will take place at Pine Nursery Park in Bend from July 26-30.
Pacific Northwest Classic (PNC) has quickly become a summer tradition in Bend, with hundreds of pickleball players gathering from all corners of the country to compete. PNC has also gained a reputation for being a very well-run tournament, making it a highly anticipated event among amateurs and pros alike. Adding to the fun and elevating PNC’s status, Wes Gabrielsen and Enrique Ruiz will return as the tournament’s pro hosts, joined this year by Susannah Barr and Joy Leising.
This year’s $30k purse gives players even more incentive to participate in PNC. “Registration opened just a few weeks ago and we’re already seeing an amazing response,” according to Tournament Co-Director Christie Gestvang. “Players love this tournament because it delivers the challenging level of competition they’re looking for combined with some fun and relaxation in beautiful Central Oregon.” PNC is a USA Pickleball-sanctioned event and players ages ten and up can register at pickleballbrackets.com@pacific?nwclassic.
PNC is not just for pickleball players — local and national businesses alike are boosting their brand by sponsoring the five-day tournament. This year’s title sponsor is Thump Coffee, and Gestvang says, “We are so thrilled to announce Thump as our title sponsor. They are a wonderful community partner as well as avid pickleball ambassadors and we look forward to seeing their team at the tournament! With more than 700 players and hundreds of spectators expected this year, PNC offers fantastic visibility for sponsors. We are so grateful for the businesses that support this tournament year after year, and we welcome those that are joining us for the first time in 2023.” Tournament sponsors also include Selkirk, Element Bend, Pickleball Zone, Krueger & Lenox, Jigsaw Health, Widgi Creek Pickleball, Humana, Mike’s Fence Center, Paddletek, and GAMMA. Sponsorships are available at a variety of levels and interested organizations may contact chris.gestvang@gmail.com or visit bendpickleballclub.com/pnw2023 for more information.
About Bend Pickleball Club:
Founded in 2011, Bend Pickleball Club exists to promote a love of the sport and a passion for seeing it grow and thrive in one of the most beautiful and active regions in the country. With a membership of over 900 and growing, the mission of the nonprofit club is to facilitate the growth of pickleball in Central Oregon for the enjoyment, health and social engagement of all players by offering organized recreational and competitive play, ensuring opportunities for the continued development of all players in a collegial and sportsmanlike environment and working to expand facilities as needed.
