In 2014 the Grand Rapids Pickleball Club initiated The Draigh Award to recognize players who best meet the criteria selected by Barbara and Richard (Dick) Draigh, the founding members of Grand Rapids Pickleball. This award recognizes those individuals who over several years:

• Openly promote the game
• Represent the game in the most positive manner
• Exercise sportsmanship at all times
• Are considerate of players of all skill levels
• Welcome new players and help make them feel a part of the group
• Step forward to help and volunteer for committees and special projects

In 2023 the GRPC Board added a Draigh Legacy Award to recognize someone who made a significant contribution over many years and had not previously won the Draigh Award, but is perhaps less involved now than they used to be. The Draigh Legacy Award is chosen by the current GRPC Board and is not necessarily awarded every year.

Draigh and Draigh Legacy Award Winners

2025 – Hub Capes & Pam Dykstra
(Draigh Legacy Award to Ray Ray Zamora)

2024 – Nikki Hoort & Rex Andringa
(each pictured with 2023 winner and GRPC president John Frizzo)
(Draigh Legacy Award to Larry & Cinda Walters)

2023 – Karen Baxter & John Frizzo
(Draigh Legacy Award to Eric Gustafson)

2022 – Lori Mann & Pati Sheldon

2021 – Suzanne Schmieder & Larry Keefe

2020 – Cari Brooks & Tom Miller

2019 – Nichole Miller & Jeff Howlett

2018 – Bob Trout & Paul Richards

2017 – Neil Johnson & Dave Boyd

2016 – Linda Jirous & Mike Bart

2015 – Keith Wolverton & Kathy Anderson

2014 – Jeanne Schowalter & John Schowalter