Tulsa Holiday Pickleball Tournament Brings Together Players Of All Ages, Experience

It's a sport played and loved by many. 

“We’ve fallen love with the game of pickleball,” said Brandy Isbell. 

It's a love the Isbell family shares.

“I forced them to play, I was like ‘its family pickleball time’,” she said. 

And it's an interest that captivated them and other players like Alan Murrell instantly.

“I was hooked, immediately, overnight, hooked, and I haven’t looked back since we play every Friday night,” he said. 

Murrell and the Isbell family put their pickleball paddles to use this weekend at the Holiday Classic Pickleball Tournament at Whiteside Park.

Recreation Coordinator Tony Martin says while the sport is skyrocketing, it only gets more popular during the holidays.

“As soon as we put the word pickleball on any flyer it gets clicks, it gets interest so absolutely people jumped at it immediately,” he said. 

Murrell believes that's because it promotes togetherness, while also "serving up" some healthy competition.

“It's like an easy community,” he said. 

And it's a competition that could be a new holiday tradition for some.

Co-ed play was on Friday and women's play is all day Saturday. The winners get a gold medal with a Tulsa Parks logo.

Whiteside Park has a seven-week league play every Tuesday night for all levels, and open play for free. To see a schedule, click here.