Discovering Pickleball

Barb and Dick Draigh played a foundational role in bringing pickleball to Grand Rapids. As Dick recalled:

“Barb and I first discovered pickleball while in Florida in early 2008… After returning home in April, I was anxious to find a place in Grand Rapids to play and found that no one seemed to have heard of the game.”

A visit to the Forest Hills Community Education office led Dick to Paula Spagnola at East Hills Athletic Club. She was enthusiastic about launching the sport, and soon three indoor courts were taped out, starter kits ordered, and classes promoted—including a front-page article in the Grand Rapids Press.

“The first day, only two women had signed up… One pulled a calf muscle after 15 minutes and hobbled off the court. I never saw her again.”

Despite that rocky start, interest grew. Twice-weekly play at East Hills eventually attracted up to 23 players. The original group included many snowbirds, and the makeshift courts—next to child care areas and basketball games—weren’t ideal. But players kept coming, setting up their own nets and even turning on the lights.

East Hills used a punch-card system, roughly $7 per session, and players often stayed for hours. As demand grew, a fourth court was added in another room. Still, space limitations led players to explore new options.

Tournaments Take Off

Dick Draigh helped launch pickleball in the State Games of Michigan. Although too late to join in 2010, the sport debuted in 2011 at Cornerstone University with 115 players. Dick served as tournament director for three years, growing the event to 250 participants.

In 2015, 262 players competed—despite expectations of fewer due to new USAPA membership requirements. The next year saw a jump to 299.

When Grand Rapids won the bid to host the 2017 State Games of America, organizers anticipated 400–500 players. They got 601. Matches spanned four days and two sites—MSA Fieldhouse and MSA Woodland—and included new elements like vendors, a pre-tournament party, and expanded volunteer support.

In the years since then, tournaments have become a staple of the GRPC, ranging from the Meijer State Games, the always-popular You Go Girl women’s tournament, and the Earth Day Open, to Friday Night Lights events—pickleball and pizza under the lights—and the annual Club Championships. And, of course, the Beer City Open, which has put the GRPC on the national map with its hosting of 1,000 amateurs from across the country and the Major League Pickleball mid-season tournament, featuring the 100 best pros in the game. The BCO has grown dramatically since its launch. [Learn more about its history here.]

Belknap Park Becomes a Hub

In 2009, John Schowalter and Don Bont identified Belknap Park (pronounced Bell-Nap) as the ideal location for a dedicated pickleball site. City officials agreed to let players chalk lines on existing tennis courts, and by the end of that summer four courts were in regular use.

Momentum grew the following year with a lunchtime demo at Rosa Parks Circle and community-led lessons throughout the summer. In 2011, the City painted court lines at Belknap, making the courts easier to use, and the number of players quickly surged.

By May 2012, the group received approval to convert tennis courts into six permanent pickleball courts—but they would need to raise the money themselves. Optimistically, they predicted play would begin by July 4. When the City asked, “What year?” the group confidently replied, “This year.” They missed their target by just a few weeks, and by the end of July play had begun. A community-wide effort raised $22,000, with donations flowing through the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids. The official Grand Opening on August 29 included remarks from Mayor George Heartwell and a 5.0-level exhibition match.

From there, improvements came steadily. In 2014, courts 7 and 8 were added. The following year, courts 9 and 10 were built along with temporary lines for two more. In 2016, the community raised $30,000 for enhancements including fencing, windscreens, benches, and a new shed. Then in 2017, another $25,000 campaign funded courts 11 through 15 along with a pavilion named in honor of early club leader Peggy Reed. Thanks to negotiations by Jeff Howlett and Mike Bart, the pavilion was placed on an existing pickleball court in exchange for converting the remaining two tennis courts, creating a net increase of five new courts.

As the Beer City Open grew in popularity and economic impact, the City approved the conversion of two Bike Polo courts into six additional pickleball courts, including a new Stadium Court, bringing Belknap Park to its current 21-court configuration. The project was fully funded by the GRPC. After one Beer City Open pro finals match under the lights, however, it became clear that Belknap’s lighting was inadequate for competitive play. The Club responded with another fundraising campaign, raising about $150,000 to upgrade the lights and make further enhancements.

In 2023, the GRPC Board approved another major project: a walkway around the south end of the courts and a raised observation deck. The $500,000 project was funded jointly by the GRPC, Beer City Open, the City of Grand Rapids, and Pioneer Construction, with the GRPC and BCO together contributing more than $250,000. Proceeds from the Beer City Open continue to be reinvested into Belknap each year, helping to resurface courts, replace net posts, and ensure the facility remains one of the premier pickleball destinations in the region.

Forming a Club

As Belknap was transforming into a true hub for pickleball, it became clear that a formal organization was needed to coordinate the sport’s rapid growth. In 2012, the Grand Rapids Pickleball Club was officially formed as a 501(c)(7), with John Schowalter serving as its first president. Just two years later, in 2014, the Club converted to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to better support its fundraising and community-building efforts.

The Club set out with clear goals: to maintain a player directory, raise funds for Belknap and other venues, organize tournaments, host social events, and promote the sport across the region. Membership quickly reflected the growing excitement, climbing from 266 members in 2015 to nearly 1,800 by September 2024.