Dave Goertzen of Winkler with his Bronze certificate

Four teams from the Pembina Valley recently competed at a Manitoba Pickleball Incorporated sanctioned tournament in Beausejour last week. Rose Sawatsky of Morden partnered up with Betty Woodman of Headingly to capture first place in the Women's Open category. Sawatsky was one of select few athletes that entered two events, the second being the mixed (co-ed) Open category with partner Peter Dyck of Winkler. Sawatsky and Dyck also captured first place in what was a tightly contested tournament with no easy games throughout their round robin journey to the playoffs. Sawatsky played a total of 33 games in her quest towards two first place finishes, as a testament to her ability to endure the physical demands of the game while strategizing a game plan against teams she has virtually no history with. Sawatsky has quickly become one of the best players in the province, practicing about four times per week between the clubs in Winkler and Morden. Sawatsky has also had recent success in Grand Forks competitions and anticipates further challenges in Killarney in the near future.

The other teams rounding out the local contingent included Dave Goertzen (Winkler) with Alex Parobec of Souris who captured bronze in the Men's Open category, competing against some of Canada's highest ranked Men's players while Larry Harder and Wes Ens of Winkler finished third in the Men's 3.5 category after a nine-match round-robin schedule before losing their opening match in the single elimination playoff format.

The "Battle of the Paddle" Beausejour tournament has grown significantly as Pickleball has become the fastest growing sport in North America. In 2015, they registered 32 teams Two years later, 114 teams from various Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Ontario communities were registered and accommodated comfortably in the Beausejour Sungro Centre consisting of five pickleball courts and an additional four courts in the adjoining curling rink. Dozens of volunteers and experienced officials made for very positive experience. The tournament also doubled as a fundraiser event for fellow pickleballer - Chuck Rohleder who received $4316 from various contributions which will assist in his medical expenses.

2017 Beausejour Tournament / Pickleball MB Championship Results

WOMEN’S EVENT Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Women’s 3.0 (50+)
Gold Medal: Judi Reid & Lisa Bergson (Matlock)
Silver Medal: Lynda Marshall & Carol Goodman (Winnipeg)
Bronze Medal: Janet Nein & Kathy Lotz-Dorsch (Winnipeg)

Women’s 3.5 (50+)
Gold Medal: Ellen Torbiak & Gail Smerchynski (Winnipeg)
Silver Medal: Maria Hawrylak (Winnipeg) & Pat Bothe (Anola)
Bronze Medal: Patti St Godard & Eleanore Schlamb (Winnipeg)

Women’s Open (65+)
Gold Medal: Nina Constable & Dianne Dunsford (Winnipeg)
Silver Medal: Carol Bush & Carol Gabrielle (Beausejour)
Bronze Medal: Lynda Bennett & Leslie McAvoy (Winnipeg)

Women’s Open PMI:
Gold Medal: Rose Sawatzky (Morden) & Betty Woodman (Headingly)
Silver Medal: Jun Laffin & Erin Bishop (Kenora, ON)
Bronze Medal: Mary Beth Shields & Linda Roberts (Winnipeg)


MIXED EVENT Wednesday, May 10th, 2017

Mixed 3.0+ (50+)
Gold Medal: Judi Reid (Matlock) & Dale Woytowich (Selkirk)
Silver Medal: Marilyn Woods (Souris) and Louis Lansard (Lac du Bonnet)
Bronze Medal: Ann Sisler & Bob Schmallenberg (Pinawa)

Mixed 3.5+ (50+):
Gold Medal: Sharon Jefkins (Winnipeg) & Larry Vermeersch (Anola)
Silver Medal: Susan Robbie (Oakbank) & Roger Manaigre (Winnipeg)
Bronze Medal: Betty Woodman (Headingly) & Dave Goertzen (Winkler)

Mixed Open (65+):
Gold Medal: Pat Bothe & Chris Bothe (Anola)
Silver Medal: Nina Constable & Jim Vincent (Winnipeg)
Bronze Medal: Carol Gabrielle (Beausejour) & Larry Ladyman (Winnipeg)

Mixed Open PMI:
Gold Medal: Rose Sawatzky (Morden) & Peter Dyck (Winkler)
Silver Medal: Ellen Torbiak & Lionel Piche (Winnipeg)
Bronze Medal: Patti St Godard & Peter Willms (Winnipeg)


MEN’S EVENT Thursday, May 11th, 2017

Men’s 3.0 (50+)
Gold Medal: Brent Cranwill & Stew MacPherson (Winnipeg)
Silver Medal: Wayne Dennis & Barry Sigurdson (Winnipeg)
Bronze Medal: Louis Lansard & Paul Lueken (Lac du Bonnet)

Men’s 3.5+ (50+)
Gold Medal: John Hiebert & Roger Manaigre (Winnipeg)
Silver Medal: Greg Prokopchuk (Beausejour) & Larry Vermeersch (Anola)
Bronze Medal: Louis Laferriere (Winnipeg) & Chris Bothe (Anola)

Men’s Open (65+):
Gold Medal: Tom Richmond & Bill Johnstone (Winnipeg)
Silver Medal: Jim Vincent & Brian Shippam (Winnipeg)
Bronze Medal: Lou Gaudry (St Adolph) & Dave Boyd (Winnipeg)

Men’s Open PMI
Gold Medal: Lionel Piche & (Winnipeg) & Peter Willms (Winnipeg)
Silver Medal: Barry McKeown (Winnipeg) & Paul Aquin (Winnipeg)
Bronze Medal: Alex Parobec (Souris) & Dave Goertzen (Winkler)

Peter Dyck of Winkler and Rose Sawatzky of Morden captured the Mixed Open PMI gold medal