By Julia Train
Pickleball is all the rage right now and playing a sport you love that benefits a charity is even better.
Proshot Pickleball will host its annual End of Summer SMASH Round Robin Tournament Aug. 23-25 in support of the Emma Scanlon Memorial Scholarship.
Every year, the facility holds a tournament to donate a portion of its proceeds to a local charity or an organization.
“We are about community, bringing the community together, helping people,” said Elizabeth Katz, marketing director at Proshot Pickleball. “This is what makes [Proshot] wonderful. We’re there for our community. We’re there for our customers.”
Last year, the facility donated to Reed’s Farm.
This year’s fundraiser will benefit the Emma Scanlon Memorial Scholarship, created in memory of Emma Scanlon, a Mainland Regional High School senior who died in April 2023.
The scholarship was established by Emma’s parents, Kevin and Michele and goes to a senior at Mainland Regional High School who is enrolled in a college or university with a desire to work in a profession of service to others.
“Participating in the End of Summer SMASH is a wonderful way to honor Emma’s legacy and make a tangible difference in the lives of young people,” said Michele Scanlon, president of the Emma Scanlon Foundation. “We are grateful to Proshot Pickleball for their commitment to our cause and for creating an event that brings our community together in support of such an important mission.”
The tournament is a three-day event, starting around 8 a.m. each day, with games split up into categories–singles, doubles and mixed brackets based on the levels 2.5 to 4.5+, parent/child doubles and youth doubles. There are also age categories.
Katz said they anticipate 200 participants and additional spectators.
There will be prize money given to all open events and raffle baskets.
Proshot Pickleball, which opened in April 2023, offers a variety of programs from beginner to the advanced level. It is an indoor, eight-court facility located in Egg Harbor Township equipped with a player’s lounge, couches, televisions, a kitchen and locker rooms.
“Supporting our community is at the heart of everything we do at Proshot Pickleball,” said Andy Pessano, co-owner of ProShot Pickleball. “The End of Summer SMASH is a fantastic opportunity for players of all levels to come together, enjoy the game we love, and contribute to a cause that truly matters. We invite everyone to join us for an unforgettable weekend of pickleball and community spirit.”
Julia is a recent Rider University graduate, where she studied multiplatform journalism and social media strategies. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, trying new coffee shops, photography and the beach. She can be reached at juliatrainmedia@gmail.com or connect with her on Instagram @juliatrain
