(Photo | Courtesy of Bend Pickleball Club)
Pacific Northwest Classic 2022 Sponsored by Beaver Coach Sales
Bend Pickleball Club announces that the Pacific Northwest Classic, sponsored by Beaver Coach Sales and hosted by Bend Pickleball Club, begins at 8am on July 27 and wraps up on the evening of July 31 at Pine Nursery Park in Bend.
Pacific Northwest Classic (PNC) has over 800 players registered to play, ranging in age from ten to 87, and coming from as far away as Florida and Hawaii. Tournament Co-Director Christie Gestvang says, “We have a $25k purse up for grabs so we know the competition on the courts is going to be both friendly and fierce. It’s exciting to see so many people returning to PNC year after year, and we’re looking forward to welcoming all the new participants as well. On behalf of Bend Pickleball Club, Beaver Coach Sales and all our generous sponsors, we wish all the tournament players five great days of pickleball fun!”
This year’s tournament will be co-hosted by pickleball pros Wes Gabrielson and Enrique Ruiz, who, along with their partners Erik Lange and Pierre-David Turmel, will kick off PNC at Pine Nursery Park with an exhibition match on July 26 at 5:30pm. As PNC Co-Director Kirk Foster explains, “Pickleball is such a great, accessible sport for all ages and athletic abilities. Wes and Enrique are fantastic ambassadors for the sport, and we are so excited for the added level of fun and expertise they will bring to our tournament.” Ruiz is a 2019 Hall of Famer, has won a gold medal at Nationals in all his age divisions and is a six-time Open gold medalist in the Open Category. Gabrielson is an eleven-time USAPA National Champion, six-time Canadian National Champion, two-time Tournament of Champions Gold Medalist and two-time U.S. Open Champion.
In addition to Beaver Coach Sales, PNC’s title sponsor, numerous local and national companies are sponsoring the tournament. Courtside Sponsors are Pickleball Zone, Visit Bend, Selkirk, Krueger & Lenox and Mike’s Fence Center. Platinum Sponsors are Humana, Summit Health, Widgi Creek Pickleball and Pickleball Nation. Gold Medal Sponsors are ONIX/DuraFast 40, GAMMA Pickleball and Jigsaw Health. Silver Medal Sponsors are Element by Westin, Galactica Pickleball, Pickleball Central, Pickleball Planet, Courtside Sports, Stretch Lab and Paddletek.
Pacific Northwest Classic is a free, family-friendly event. Please note that event parking at Pine Nursery Park is limited and on a first come, first served basis. For a complete tournament play schedule, please visit pickleballtournaments.com/tournamentinfo.pl?tid=5283#menuInformation and click the SCHEDULE button at the top of the page.
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.
