Big Dill at the Ville proved why every point matters!

Southern Pickleball Association event raises the stakes for players

Not all weekends are created equal. Some end with a gold medal 🏆 and a shot at something bigger.

That’s exactly what happened at Planters Bank and Jennie Stuart Health Sportsplex in Hopkinsville on March 8-9. The Big Dill at the Ville was a Southern Pickleball Association (SPA) sanctioned event, which meant winning here was more than just a medal. For the 68 players who stepped onto the courts, this was their shot at qualifying for something bigger.

The Court That’s Changing the Game

If you’ve ever tried to get a court at Planters Bank and Jennie Stuart Health Sportsplex, you know it’s always packed. There’s a reason for that.

[no-margin]🔥 A growing reputation as a pickleball hub in Kentucky  

[no-margin]🔥 Host to major tournaments that bring top players together

🔥 9 dedicated courts designed for serious competitive play          

For local players, having a place like this means they don’t have to travel hours just to get high-quality competition. It’s happening right here. If you haven’t seen this place in action, check out their facility here and see why it’s becoming a big deal for pickleball near me.

What is the Southern Pickleball Association (SPA), and Why Does It Matter?

Glad you asked! The Southern Pickleball Association (SPA) is a stepping stone for serious players looking to break into the competitive scene. Winning an SPA event means:

If you’ve ever wondered how people go from local tournaments to national recognition, SPA events are one of the biggest doors to walk through. You can check out SPA’s upcoming events here if you’re thinking about taking your shot.

• Automatic qualification for the 2025 Southern Pickleball Championships in Macon, GA (Dec 31 - Jan 4)
• A chance to go head-to-head against the best in the region
• Recognition as a serious competitor in the growing world of competitive pickleball

Some Players Walked Away With Medals… Others Walked Away With Lessons

Tournaments have a way of separating the weekend warriors from the grinders. And when the dust settled, these were the names on top.

🏆 Gold Medal Winners

[no-margin]Jason Williams & Taylor Myers – 4.0 Men’s Doubles

[no-margin]Dana Marshall & Meagan York – 4.0 Women’s

DoublesDana Marshall & Jason Williams – 4.0 Mixed Doubles

🥈 Silver Medal Winners

[no-margin]Cannon Cornelius & Edwin Moore – 4.0 Men’s Doubles

[no-margin]Cannon Cornelius & Meagon York – 4.0 Mixed Doubles

[no-margin]Winnie Smee & Holly Locken – 4.0 Women’s Doubles

Rebekah Talbert & Vickie Gamble – 3.5/4.0 Women’s Doubles

🥉 Bronze Medal Winners

[no-margin]Marty Gamble & Shane Cosby – 3.5 Men’s Doubles

[no-margin]Justin Crawford & Abbi Crawford – 3.5/4.0 Mixed

Doubles Emily Edwards & Angie Skees – 3.0 Women’s Doubles

Source: The Lake News

🎯 So, What’s Next?

For the winners? It’s time to train. Macon isn’t going to be easy, and the level of competition is about to go way up.

For the rest of us? Maybe this is a wake-up call. Maybe it’s time to stop talking about getting better and actually start putting in the reps.

YOUR NEXT MATCH STARTS HERE >>

If you want to make sure your name is on that medal list next time, check out Picklezone’s expert strategy guide that has everything you need to tighten up your game and get tournament-ready.

Play, compete, and earn rewards on Picklezone.

See you on the courts.