PICKLEBALL: Flying colors for local competitors at Macon Stars & Stripes tournament July 5-6
Dublin Pickleball players were among the 317 who competed in the tournament at Macon’s Rhythm & Rally complex last weekend.
By LAURA CARTER, Dublin Pickleball Association
The Southern Pickleball Association’s Stars & Stripes Tournament unfolded over the weekend of July 5–6, with competition across men’s, women’s and mixed doubles brackets at Rhythm & Rally in Macon.
The sprawling indoor complex — with 32 dedicated courts — hosted 317 players.
Players from the Dublin Pickleball Association stepped onto the court with determination, contributing to a vibrant display of local talent and sportsmanship.
Medalists included the following:
Gold
• Maria Woodard (Dexter) and Teresa Johnson (Dudley), Women’s 2.5, 60+
• Dawn Howerton (East Dublin) and Berry Newberry (Eatonton), Women’s 3.0, 60-69
• Eva Martin (East Dublin) and Susan Causey (Macon), Women’s Doubles 3.5, 70+
• Eva Martin (Dublin) and Scott Raines (Cartersville), Mixed Doubles 3.5, 60+
• Crystal Gentry (Dublin) and Sean Greer (Macon), Mixed Doubles 4.0, 35-49
Silver
• Joey Wilson (Dublin) and Johnny Powell (Wrightsville), Men’s Doubles 3.5, 60-69
• Zac Woodard (Dexter) and Bo Britt (Cochran), Men’s Doubles 3.0, 60-69
• Sandy Souza (Dublin) and Rajiv Villait (Georgia), Mixed Doubles 3.0, 35-49
Bronze
• Lindsay Shuman (Dublin) and Sandy Souza (Dublin), Women’s Doubles 3.0, 35-49
• Dianne Harrison (Dublin) and Doug Beier (Tifton), Mixed Doubles 3.5, 50-59
PICKLEBALL PATRIOTS: Maria Woodard and Teresa Johnson (top left), Eva Martin and Scott Raines (top right), Dawn Howerton and Berry Newberry (bottom left) and Martin and Susan Causey (bottom right) were among the local teams who secured gold in last weekend’s Stars & Stripes tournament in Macon/SPECIAL PHOTOS
DPA Highlights…
Over the weekend, Southern Pickleball proudly presented Eva Martin with its 2024 Player of the Year Award.
Looking Ahead…
The success of Dublin players has set an encouraging tone for upcoming regional events. With awards and medals now on display back home, focus shifts to upcoming tournaments—including the “Beat The Heat” Macon event in August and Dublin’s own End O’ Summer Slam in September.
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