Pickleball players of all ages and skill levels can register for an upcoming tournament this March in Kailua-Kona.
The third annual Ambassador’s Cup Pickleball Tournament will take place at Holua Racquet and Paddle in Kona from Friday, March 8 to Sunday, March 10. The tournament will be a round robin format with playoffs for gold, silver and bronze medals.
The tournament started as a way to fundraise for Friends of First Responders Hawaii Island, an organization that offers community support and resources to strengthen first responders and their families.
“The first year, we were able to donate $4,000 — and last year we donated $10,000 through the tournament. It has been amazing,” USA Pickleball Ambassador Lani Larrua said. “The founder, Renee Godoy, and I both served as chaplains through the Hawaii Island Police Department, so we truly see the value of supporting first responders after the situations they face.”
Larrua, who is also the president of the Waikoloa Pickleball Club, became a Pickleball Ambassador after quickly falling in love with the sport seven years ago.
“Seven years ago, I became a widow and my entire life changed. After a while I needed to try something new and decided to try pickleball,” Larrua said. “Coming to the court every day gave me the social interaction I needed and helped me maintain a high activity level.”
“As the sport grew, there was a search for Pickleball Ambassadors that could spread the love of pickleball,” Larrua continued. “They didn’t have anyone on the Big Island, and because it changed my life, I wanted to do it.”
Larrua hosts the Ambassador’s Cup each year as it combines her passions of supporting first responders and bringing people together to play pickleball.
The tournament will begin on Friday, March 8 with a senior day for players 50-years old and over. The male and female doubles matches will be determined by age and skill level.
On Saturday, players 50-years old and under will compete in male and female doubles matches that will be determined by age and skill level. Mixed doubles matches with teams of mixed skill level and age will take place on Sunday.
Players can still register for the tournament without partners and will be able to see the players who have also registered individually.
While each of the tournaments will award first, second and third places, there will also be prize drawings throughout the three days.
“Seeing the look on the faces of older players who win medals is so wonderful and sweet,” Larrua said. “We have ages from 13 to 90 playing in the tournament and the gambit of people who are active in the sport is just tremendous.”
From 2017 to 2022, the amount of pickleball players in the U.S. rose from just over 3 million players to nearly 9 million.
Larrua has noticed the positive effects the sport has had on seniors working to stay active, and on families who play together.
“It’s important to see your parents have fun and compete in something almost childlike. One of the things that builds a strong family and community is when you can do activities together,” Larrua said. “The only let down with the sport growing as much as it is, is the lack of courts. We have about one court for every 150 players.”
Larrua said she has spoken with the County of Hawaii Mayor’s Office and Parks and Recreation Department on building more courts on the isle and believes that Hawaii could be an optimal training area for pickleball players.
“I think many people thought it would be a fad, but now there are big names out there investing in the future of pickleball because there is still so much potential,” Larrua said. “Since COVID-19, many of the resorts on the west side have either switched their tennis courts to pickleball courts, or have made multipurpose courts.”
Waikoloa had four courts before the resorts began opening their own, however, playing for an hour could cost $15 to $30.
In 2023, Parks and Recreation stated that there weren’t current plans to build more courts — but had made funding requests for pickleball-related supplies, such as temporary lines that can be placed on tennis or basketball courts.
Holua Racquet and Paddle is the largest tennis and pickleball facility in Hawaii and has 20 dedicated courts.
“Having the tournament at Holua is wonderful, it really has the premier courts in the entire state,” Larrua said. “Everyone who has made that facility what is it today are a great testament to the love of pickleball. People are willing to donate and participate because they see the benefits.”
Holua Racquet and Paddle offers drop-in play at 8 a.m. on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, at 4 p.m. on Sunday, for beginners only, as well as Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, and 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays for players 3 ½ years old and younger.
Every drop-in playing session is open to anyone, but non-members must pay $10 for each drop-in session.
The Kona Pickleball Hui plays at the eight courts located next to the Kekuaokalani Gym in the Old Kona Airport State Recreation Area and offers open play to anyone from 8 a.m. to noon on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday.
There is a suggested donation of $5 for daily play, or a $25 suggested annual donation for club members.
Registration for the Ambassador’s Cup costs $85, plus event fees, through Sunday, Feb. 18.
Late registration will be open from Monday, Feb. 19 to Friday, March 1 with an increased price of $100, plus event fees.
“We’re so excited to get together again for the third year to help our first responders and just play and have fun,” Larrua said.
To register for the tournament, visit tinyurl.com/5ydp9nxa.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com
