The Bainbridge Island Historical Museum will conduct its third annual Pickleball Tournament from August 8 through 14. This tournament features the sport with the funny name -- picleball -- and is one of the Museum’s major fundraisers. The tournament is expected to draw players from throughout the Pacific Northwest – and from all over the U.S. The tournament is sanctioned by the national Pickleball Association (the USAPA) and held on Battle Point Park’s six new Pickleball courts.

Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in America – and it started right here! The sport was invented in the summer of 1965, by three Islanders, Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell and Barney McCallum.  To honor the three founders, the Museum named the event The Bainbridge Island Founders Tournament. This local tournament is a great way to celebrate Pickleball’s growth and its important contribution to the rich history of Bainbridge.

In conjunction with the tournament, the Museum will have a historic display on the history of the game and will be organizing free beginners’ clinics at the courts so more people of all ages can learn and appreciate the game. The Museum will also be offering tours to “Court #1,” the former badminton court at Pleasant Beach, where the very first Pickleball game was played.

Online tournament registration is open. For more information, visit www.pickleballtournaments.com or www.bainbridgehistory.org.