Months of planning went into the Heart of the South Charity Tournament originally scheduled for October 10, 2026 at the Columbia County Racquet Center. Volunteers were arranged, sponsors contacted, brackets formed, and equipment gathered. What we didn’t plan on was a hurricane. Heart-stopping news: the forecast called for a 100% chance of rain. Hurricane Isaias had not registered for our tournament, but was participating regardless! The day before, we made the call, movin

In 2025, Southern Pickleball Academy expanded youth pickleball access across Aiken and Edgefield counties, strengthened school partnerships, grew the First Paddle youth program, and hosted the region’s only junior pickleball tournament, Battle of the Paddles. Through clinics, tournaments, and community events, the Academy continued building healthy youth and communities through pickleball.

On Dasher, on Dink-er, on Lob-er and Smash-em! All these and more were at the Reindeer Games Pickleball Tournament at Dink'd Pickleball on Saturday, December 6.