The Florida Pickleball Tournament Serves Up Fun and Hope
What an unforgettable day on the courts! This past weekend, supporters gathered at Lakewood Ranch Country Club East for our 3rd Annual Florida Pickleball Tournament, and thanks to the incredible energy, sportsmanship, and generosity of our community, it was one of our most successful tournaments yet.
Because of you, we raised nearly $45,000 to support critically ill children and their families.
That impact is more than a number — it translates directly into meaningful, joy-filled experiences for the families we serve. This generosity can provide:
- Nearly a two-year supply of pajamas delivered to local hospitals
- 450 movie & pizza night packages for hospitalized or homebound children
- Sending 75 families to a Tampa Bay Rays game, creating joyful memories during challenging times
Every serve, every rally, and every sponsorship helped make that possible.
Thank You to Our Incredible Sponsors
This event would not have been possible without the leadership and generosity of our major sponsors:
- Presenting Sponsor: Piping Rock/Nature’s Truth
- STOCK Custom Homes/Wild Blue at Waterside
- The Curran Foundation
- BayCare
- MITER Foundation/PGT
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to these partners for their unwavering commitment to the Casey Cares mission. Their support helps us continue providing ongoing, uplifting programs that bring hope, normalcy, and lasting memories to families facing critical illness.
A huge thank you as well to all of our additional sponsors, partners, and volunteers who helped bring this event to life and ensured an exceptional experience for everyone involved. Your generosity and dedication truly make a difference.
Congratulations to Our Division Champions!
We were thrilled to see such strong competition across all divisions. Congratulations to our 2026 winners:
Women’s Division
Intermediate
1st Place: Jen Breo & Jennifer Russell
2nd Place: Linda Thrapp & Elizabeth Wang
3rd Place: Lori Faunce & Amy Krell
Advanced
1st Place: Karol Maas & Shelli Bitter
2nd Place: Sue Kreppel & Alissa Karjel
3rd Place: Jen Kahler & Shellie Feola
Men’s Division
Beginner
1st Place: Luke Anderson & Howie Ash
2nd Place: Nick Drizos & Jon Okoye
3rd Place: Chris Neher & Chris Neher Jr.
Intermediate
1st Place: Peter Trofim & Steven Blum
2nd Place: Denis Cooper & Philip Gottlieb
3rd Place: Mike Baynes & Bobby Greenberg
Advanced
1st Place: George Prince & Tommy Taborn
2nd Place: Matt Mace & Don Perella
3rd Place: Bob Hamilton & Chris Jagel
Thank You for Making a Difference
To everyone who played, sponsored, volunteered, donated, and cheered from the sidelines, thank you for showing up, competing hard, and supporting the Casey Cares mission.
Because of you, families facing some of life’s hardest moments will receive experiences that bring comfort, connection, and joy.
We can’t wait to see you back on the courts next year!
