Albuquerque Doctor Hosts Charity Pickleball Tournament Benefiting Dominica Healthcare

When Dr. Annette Fontaine, a cancer physician at the New Mexico Cancer Center, decided to turn her passion for pickleball into a fundraising engine, she built something that has grown year over year. The third annual "Doubles for Dollars" ladder tournament, set for Saturday, April 11 at Manzano Mesa Pickleball Courts, brings together the Albuquerque Pickleball Club, the New Mexico Cancer Center Foundation, and the Dominican Health and Education Initiative (DAHEI) to raise money for two organizations doing critical work in the Caribbean: the Dominica Cancer Society and the Dominica Diabetes Association.

Last year's edition cleared $13,000 for those two groups, a number that sets a clear benchmark for what a well-organized community pickleball event can actually accomplish.

The format is a ladder-style tournament running from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Manzano Mesa courts, with check-in opening at 7 a.m. Brackets are divided by skill level: men's and women's doubles for beginners through 3.0 players run from 8 to 10 a.m., the 3.0-and-above divisions take the courts from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and mixed doubles for all skill levels closes out the day from 1 to 3 p.m. Entry is $35 per player, and every registered participant receives a raffle ticket for a six-night stay in Puerto Vallarta. Food trucks will be on-site throughout the day.

"This event shows how a local community can come together through sport to support better health outcomes beyond our borders," organizers stated.

That framing captures what makes Fontaine's model worth paying attention to. Pickleball's tiered skill structure makes these tournaments unusually accessible; a 2.5 player and a seasoned 4.0 can both find a bracket, which dramatically expands the potential donor pool compared to a sport with a steeper entry curve. The Manzano Mesa courts, a well-established outdoor venue on Albuquerque's southeast side, give the event a familiar home base for the city's pickleball regulars.

For players who want to compete and contribute at the same time, this is a well-tested operation entering its third year with a verified track record. Registration is available through DAHEI's event page at dahei.org.