ON Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 21 and 22, the Pickleball Federation of the Northern Mariana Islands hosted a two-day pickleball tournament titled, the Fun Fabulous Four Square and Fickle ball tournament.
Eight teams of two men and two women participated in the event. Saturday was Four Square format where individuals competed in a round robin. The play was fast-paced and intense with teams changing and moving to new courts every twenty minutes. This was the first time that this type of play had been played in Saipan.
The teams with the top four scores and the teams with the lower four scores from Saturday competed on Sunday in a Major League Pickleball format. Major League Pickleball consists of women’s doubles, men’s doubles, and two games of mixed doubles.
Sunday’s competition was single elimination to decide the gold and silver medalists.
The Gold Medal team was made up of Ernie Henzon, Joanne Henzon, Chelsea Henzon, and Richard Asuncion. The Silver Medal team had Donn Dunlop, Marivic Dunlop, Nicky Nichols, and Mihoko Suzuki participating.
The tournament was held on Capital Hill.
The Federation is in the process of renovating the courts into the first dedicated pickleball courts on the island. The Club is securing sponsors to replace the lights, fencing and resurface the court surface.
The next event on Capital Hill will show off the newly refurbished courts.
The participants of the Fun Fabulous Four Square and Fickle ball tournament pose for a photo.
Gold and silver medals were awarded after the tournament.
