Meet in the Middle pickleball tournament was a huge success

GRAND MARAIS – On Saturday, Aug. 17, Grand Marais hosted MiM24, the third annual Meet in the Middle pickleball tournament.

This tournament was initiated in 2022 by the Thunder Bay club as an outreach to their U.S. neighbours “along the north shore” from Grand Portage to Duluth. This year had a record attendance of 77 registered players, more than doubling that of prior years.

Approximately half the players were from Thunder Bay and Longlac, and half from Grand Marais and points as far as St. Paul and Bayfield, Wis.

The venue features six outdoor courts in a beautiful setting halfway up the hillside along the Gunflint Trail. During winter (or rainy/windy days) they play indoors on three nets at the YMCA facility next door.

Fortunately, the weather was great, allowing outdoor play beginning with two rounds of “Champions Court” to help players get acquainted and loosen up, with upbeat music keeping the pace. 

Play then moved on to bracket matches for categories of men, women and mixed, each at advanced, intermediate and novice levels. The medallists are listed below. Thunder Bay took 15 medals (six gold, four silver, five bronze), and Grand Marais took six (one gold, three silver, two bronze).

Of special note are the novice and first-time tournament players bringing home medals, including Brandy Fummerton/Debs Burgsteden, Karen O’Brien/Wendy Jaun, and Jackie Goodwin/Greg Goodwin.
 
Tournament organizer Peter Bennett from Grand Marais said: “We made a brilliant showing for our tiny town, facing a club 10 times our size.

"We thoroughly enjoyed our interactions with the Thunder Bay club. They are friendly and cheerful folks, with a deep roster of great players. We were especially happy to see a good turnout of first-time tournament folks at novice and intermediate levels. We want to thank coaches Jason Horychuk and Dan Peerenboom, who ran well-attended clinics on Sunday.

"These guys are all smiles – except on the court where they pickled most of us on their way to solid gold. We were thrilled to see so many players and supporters, with a crowd size over 100.

"People all over town were aware of our tournament. After a long day of fun and exciting games, we adjourned to Voyageurs Brewery for refreshments and light dinner. We want to thank our local sponsors: Voyageurs (represented on the courts by six members of the Prom family), Angry Trout, Fika Coffee and Hungry Hippie Tacos. Pencil-in MiM25, 3rd week of August 2025!”