The Bend Pickleball Club organized a Dinkathon and raised $5050 for the Boys & Girls Club.
Craig McGarraugh’s Memorial Dinkathon benefitting the Boys & Girls Club of Bend held at the Pine Nursery courts on July 21st, 2015.
Our Pickleball family recently lost the best dinker in the club; “Dinkmaster” Craig McGarraugh. Dinking was very high on Craig’s list and we all could learn a great deal playing (and practicing) his outstanding soft game; hence we honored Craig with this Dinkathon for members of the Bend Pickleball Club.
We had 122 players in 61 teams competing in 4 different skill levels playing the “Dinking Game”. The 2.5 and 3.0 skill level teams had to keep the ball in non volley zone aka “the kitchen”. After the first team reached 6 points a regular game was be played using the regular pickleball rules.
In the 3.5 and 4.0+ skill level groups played the “Dinking Game” and after the first team reached 6 points a regular game was played using the famous 3rd shot, aka the base line dink. After the 3rd shot landed successfully in the kitchen play continued using the regular pickleball rules. This format was challenging for many of the teams and not just because of the windy conditions!!!
The Steel Magnolias Band….a popular Steel Drum Band from Eugene provided the entertainment during the Dinkathon and Baltazar”s Restaurant of Bend catered an excellent BBQ. Bend Brewing Company “manned” the beer and wine garden.
It was a beautiful late afternoon and evening in the spectacular setting of the Pine Nursery Park. We had over 70 spectators at the event and raised $5,050 for the Boys & Girls Club of Bend.
Trophies were handed out to the top 3 teams in each skill level. The Dinkathon was a huge success. Not only did we honor Craig and raise money for the B&G Club, many of the players practiced dinking and the base line dink way before the event. And even after the Dinkathon you can see players on the courts to continue to “Think Dink”.
Pictures from the event are posted in the Galleries.
