Paul Midkiff, a former science teacher and avid tennis player, came to know pickleball only by happenstance. He took a chance on the sport when was invited to play a game with a friend. While initially hesitant, because of his tennis roots, he said he soon came to appreciate the sport immensely.
In the years that followed, Midkiff became one of the founders of Southern Pickleball, a grassroots organization which has grown with the sport’s popularity and sponsors tournaments across the South.
For those just starting out, Midkiff recommends seeking out your local pickleball group or beginner classes. These can be offered through a USA Pickleball ambassador in your area, or even a parks and recreation department. In the Macon area, Midkiff recommends a Pickleball 101 class taught by the husband and wife team Mark and Ellie Farriba.
Midkiff first served as an ambassador for USA Pickleball, the premiere national Pickleball association following his introduction to the sport. While in this role, he often felt USA Pickleball was too big of an organization to encourage interest in the sport at the grassroots level.
Eventually, Midkiff would meet some of the organizers of the Georgia Pickleball Association, which had just the kind of grassroots approach he was looking for. Soon, Midkiff became involved becoming an ambassador for the South Georgia region for the Georgia Pickleball Association.
(Serena Golden)
During the pandemic, Midkiff noticed a surge in pickleball interests, a trend which Midkiff says is still ongoing.
“I don’t think this wave is crashing, I think it’s just going to continue to grow,” he said.
In 2023, the Georgia Pickleball Association became Southern Pickleball and expanded to eight states rather than Georgia alone.
During its early expansion days, Southern Pickleball sometimes only had the resources to host one tournament in a state.
“The way we really build connections is just getting out and talking to pickleball communities in these areas,” Midkiff said.
The organization now host events in 10 states, with possible expansion into Texas and Missouri being in the near future. As this great expansion has occurred, Georgia has not gone forgotten there are plenty of tournaments coming this summer, plenty in the Southeast.
1. International City Invitational
Looking for a quick and easy day trip out of town? Well, Macon Pickleballers need not look any further than the International City Invitational coming to Bonaire April 26-27. The tournament will begin at 8 a.m. on the first day featuring Men’s & Women’s Doubles and will conclude at 8:25 p.m. the second day with Mixed Doubles. All skill levels are welcome to compete. Anyone hoping to play must be at least 15. The tournament site will be the Ted Wright Park courts at 2841 Moody Road.
2. Rock’n the Hop 2025
Also happening the same weekend, in Newnan will be Rock’n the Hop 2025. This is the perfect kind of event for Pickleballers looking to get out of their usual crowd and meet new people who share a love for the sport. The event is starting Saturday, April 26 with Men’s & Women’s Doubles at 8 a.m. and ending Sunday April 27 at 8:45 p.m. with Mixed Doubles . Once again competitors must be at least 15, and all skill levels in the USA Pickleball list are welcome. The House of Pickleball on 1 Joseph Hannah Boulevard will be the site of the tournament.
3. South Georgia Smash
Down in sunny Valdosta, pickleballers will have a chance to compete in the South Georgia Smash. This tournament will have a slightly more controlled skill level still with a minimum age of 15. Things get started on Friday, May 2 at 8 a.m. with the Men’s & Women’s Singles. Saturday, May 3 will have Men’s & Women’s Doubles. The event will round out with Mixed Doubles on Sunday, May 4. Participants will compete at McKey Park at 812 Burton St.
4. Mountain Mayhem
Hoping for some summer snow? Well you aren’t likely to get any closer to such an anomaly than by attending Mountain Mayhem in Ellijay. This tournament, like the previous one, will be well suited for beginners and those still perfecting their game. The minimum age requirement to register will be 15, and there will be no 70 or above age category for this tournament. Mixed Doubles will occur Friday, May 30 with an 8 a.m. start time. Men’s and Women’s Doubles are to be played Saturday, May 31 until the tournament end time of 8:25 p.m. Mountain Mayhem will be played at the River Park at 1561 South Main St.
5. Macon Dad Proud
Looking for something fun for the whole family, this Fathers Day? Macon residents are in luck, because the Macon Dad Proud tournament is coming to town Friday, June 13 through Saturday, June 14 for Fathers Day weekend. Skill levels, and age groups are still to be announced; when such information becomes available it can be found on the Southern Pickleball website.
