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Rain Date, Big Hearts: Recapping the Heart of the South Charity Tournament:
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, moving the tournament from Saturday to Sunday. In a flurry of activity, volunteers and players were contacted, substitutions found, and schedules rearranged. Not even a hurricane was going to stop this tournament!
And what a tournament it was! By Sunday afternoon, the rain was gone, courts were dry, and the venue was hopping with activity. The Heart of the South Charity Tournament was in full swing with players and spectators enjoying their favorite sport while raising critical support for two charities with a shared heart for children: Southern Pickleball Academy and Bethany Christian Services.
To our volunteers, thank you for your time, energy, and expertise before, during, and after the tournament.
And to our participants who hung in there through all the changes with smiles on their faces, you are all winners in our book! Here’s the list of our “official” winners.
Scramble (8-11)
Gold: Beau McGiboney
Silver: Emmitt Justice
Bronze: Luke Griffin, Rivver Bishop, Mark Griffin
Scramble (12-15)
Gold: Houston Beard
Silver: Eden Caldoza
Bronze: Meera Bout
Scramble Novice (16+)
Gold: Shannon O’Loughlin
Silver: Jeremy Sanders
Bronze: Erica Caputo
Men’s Doubles 3.0 (under 55)
Gold: John Dunlow and Brayden Reames
Silver: Om Patel and Timothy Peterson
Bronze: Robbie Ogden and Joe Filberto
Men’s Doubles 3.0 (55+)
Gold: Larry Carter and Dominick Rosell
Men’s Doubles 3.5 (under 55)
Gold: Ian McCarthy and Michael Bishop
Men’s Doubles 3.5 (55+)
Gold: Paco Bogue and George Dearden
Silver: Mark Giddings and Eugene Metto
Women’s Doubles 3.0 (under 55)
Gold: Jordan Atherton and Kendra Simpson
Silver: Ryndi Givens and Susan Anderson
Bronze: Lynnette Comette and Mary Rezendes
Women’s Doubles 3.0 (55+)
Gold: Lynlee Foster and Terri Harrah
Silver: Nonhui Teets and Joann Adams
Bronze: Susan Wise and Rina Branch
Women’s Doubles 3.5 (under 55)
Gold: Lona Kelly and Abby Sullivan
Women’s Doubles 3.5 (55+)
Gold: Cindy Bogue and Alisa Dearden
Mixed Doubles 3.0 (under 55)
Gold: Camden Kinard and Sydney Kinard
Silver: Hudson McCarthy and Eleshia McCarthy
Bronze: Ryndi Givens and Jason Houck
Mixed Doubles 3.0 (55+)
Gold: Lynlee Foster and Eugene Metto
Silver: Karin Burns and Robbie Ogden
Bronze: Patti Pitts and Jimmy Pitts
Mixed Doubles 3.5 (under 55)
Gold: Rebekah Slater and Mark Giddings
Silver: Ikeicha Parker and Maurice Woody
Bronze: Abby Sullivan and Michael Bishop
Mixed Doubles 3.5 (55+)
Gold: Cindy Bogue and Paco Bogue
Thank you for your support as Bethany Christian Services works to keep children safe and loved within their families, and Southern Pickleball Academy brings the First Paddle program to kids who need it most!
Enjoy these photos as you remember this wonderful event. Download on social media to your heart's content! (And bonus points if you'd tag and follow Southern Pickleball Academy).
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