WINTERVILLE— With its first-ever community pickleball tournament less than a month away, the Pitt Community College Foundation is seeking additional participants and sponsors to help raise funding for student scholarships.
Scheduled for April 25, “Paddles for Promise” will take place at the Greenville Pickleball Club on Wimbledon Drive. It will feature three levels of competitive play—beginner, intermediate, and advanced—with start times determined by the number of registered participants. The cost to play is $50 per person.
“We’d love to have at least 50 players compete in the tournament, so we’re still looking for two-person teams and solo players that we can pair together for the event,” said PCC Special Events Coordinator Jennifer Hemink. “We want players of all ages and experience levels. We’ll even provide paddles to those who want to take part but don’t have them.”
Hemink says sponsorship opportunities are still available, especially for the tournament’s “Battle of the Businesses” competition.
“For $500, businesses can enter the tournament with a team of two players and be listed as a sponsor on the tournament T-shirt and in social media advertising for the event,” she said. “Registration closes April 20, but participants must register by April 4 to guarantee a T-shirt.”
In addition to the on-court competition, attendees can enjoy food trucks outside the facility and take part in a silent auction featuring a variety of items available for online bidding through the Handbid app. The auction will open April 24 and close April 25 at 7 p.m.
Auction items will be on display during the tournament at the Greenville Pickleball Club and include a mix of experiences, local goods, and specialty gifts. Among them are a pickleball paddle, lesson, and one-month membership from GPC; a gourmet gift basket from Jefferson’s; a Nothing Bundt Cakes coupon book featuring a free item each month for a year; Jenni K. Jewelry earrings; and a basket of North Carolina-made products from Davenport Harvest Market. Additional items from Down East Holiday Show vendors will also be available.
More information on sponsorship opportunities and tournament registration is available by contacting Hemink at jkhemink453@my.pittcc.edu or (252) 493-7496.