Apr. 29—The inaugural Lake J Classic Charity Pickleball Tournament raised over $5,000 for Haywood County Special Olympics and saw more than 80 pickleball players take to the court across multiple divisions.

The tournament proved the value of Lake Junaluska's six new pickleball courts constructed last year in a public-private partnership with Haywood County Recreation. In addition to satisfying the growing demand for pickleball courts, the project was heralded as a needed venue for hosting pickleball tournaments like this one.

Despite a rainy start to the first day of the tournament, it was a resounding success. Every court was full of players, while spectators lined the fence to watch and support friends and family — or to scout out the competition. The Mountaineer checked in with some of the players between matches about what drew them to pick up pickleball.