Dennis Forbes Memorial Tournament, Ogden, Utah Prize Money

Dennis Forbes Memorial Tournament, Ogden, Utah   07/18/13 - 07/20/13 Thirty-nine of the best players in the US and Canada, 25 men and 14 women, were invited by the Ogden Pickleball Association to Ogden, Utah last week for the first Tournament of Champions event. This was the first big money tournament in USAPA history, with $18,000 in total prize money.

Three thousand dollars was awarded to the first place teams in men’s doubles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles; $2,000 to each second place team and $1,000 for the teams that finished third. Wow, women rule! Gigi LeMaster was the top money winner ($3,000) with first place finishes in both women’s and mixed doubles. Alex Hamner went away with $2,000 by taking second place in women’s and mixed doubles.

This event was a test and it went great; all players commented on how smoothly it ran. We are reviewing and making plans for how in 2014 we can expand and open the event to all players who are USAPA rated 4.5 and 5.0, but it will not be in July -- too hot.

Our goal is to create a professional stand alone US Pickleball Open Tournament in Ogden. Stay tuned.