Panhandle Pickleball Tournament to benefit Specialized Needs Recreation in Coeur d’Alene

Cherry Hill Park will become a regional destination when the third annual Panhandle Pickleball Tournament runs June 26-28 in Coeur d’Alene. The fundraiser for Specialized Needs Recreation is more than a sports stop on the calendar, because it is tied directly to a local nonprofit that has turned recreation into a year-round service for children, teens and adults with disabilities.

Specialized Needs Recreation, based at 3700 N Government Way, Suite J, describes itself as a 501(c)(3) organization that grew out of a grassroots effort and now serves youth and adults throughout North Idaho. Its mission is simple and ambitious: make recreation accessible regardless of financial circumstances. The program list reflects that reach, with Adult Life Group, Evening Group, Kids Camp, All-Stars, Aktion Club, SNR Sports and special events all part of the organization’s lineup.

The tournament is built for both competition and turnout. Organizers are planning round robin play followed by playoff brackets for Gold, Silver and Bronze medals, and the field is open to players at the 3.0 through 4.5-plus skill levels. Age divisions are expected to track under 50, 50 to 59 and 60-plus brackets, with all participants required to have a DUPR rating. That structure helps explain why the event keeps growing: it gives serious players a reason to return while still pulling in a broad range of local and visiting competitors.

Registration remains open through June 18, although Visit Coeur d’Alene lists a standard deadline of June 17. Entry is set at $55 per player plus $15 per event, with an early rate of $45 plus $15 per event listed through March 31. Tournament organizers say the event may close early if daily player caps are reached, and partner registration must happen within seven days or the player may be moved to a waitlist. Brackets may also be combined to preserve competitive play.

For Kootenai County, the appeal goes beyond medals. A three-day tournament at Cherry Hill Park puts players, families and supporters in Coeur d’Alene businesses, and the donations attached to the event are meant to expand SNR Idaho’s programs across North Idaho. It is a clear sign that recreational sports in the county are being used not just for competition, but to build civic momentum around access, inclusion and community support.