Eighth Annual Quad Cities Pickleball Classic Raises $125K, Welcomes 388

The Quad Cities Pickleball Club says the Classic returned in September as a major community fundraiser, generating more than $125,000 and fielding 376 adult participants and 12 youth players. "This September event was once again a smashing success, expertly managed by Marcie and Butch Fosdick, with the support of about 150 volunteers from our club," the club wrote in its newsletter signed "Pickle on, Steve."

The club credited the tournament’s proceeds with concrete local spending and program support. "We’ve been told that the financial benefit to the Quad Cities was more than $125,000," the club reported, and it said it purchased about $7,600 worth of equipment to improve playing conditions at ten different locations.

The Classic’s proceeds also funded charitable giving and outreach. "Again, thanks to the financial success of our tournament, your club donated $1,000 to each of eight different charitable organizations to help them in their efforts to help the less fortunate in our community," the club wrote, adding that "In the past three years we have donated $18,000 to these types of organizations."

The club highlighted grassroots growth tied to the event: "We introduced nearly 200 adults to pickleball through free beginner programs in Bettendorf, LeClaire, Rock Island, and Silvis," and noted that these programs are free and staffed by volunteers who supply all equipment. The club also called out member perks tied to tournament fundraising, saying it provides "quality merchandise at very low prices" and that "Members get a 5% discount from Pickleball Central by using the code CRQUAD."

Local reporting shows variations in the Classic’s scheduling and counts. An Original Report said the nonprofit Quad Cities Pickleball Club will host its eighth annual tournament September 17-20 at Riverside Park, the fifth time there. KWQC ran a separate item headlined "Quad Cities Classic Pickleball Tournament returns Sept. 11–14" in Moline and noted that "Last year’s Classic welcomed 419 players, including 30 youth participants, and was powered by 135 volunteers." KWQC also described the club as "a nonprofit 501(c)(7) with over 800 members" and wrote that the tournament "is the club’s sole annual fundraiser."

The club also reported an adaptive competition staged in partnership with QC Adaptive Sports Association. "On Saturday, Oct 4 the QC Pickleball Club worked with the QC Adaptive Sports Association to put on the first ever Adaptive Sports Pickleball Tournament," the club said, describing eight teams of one wheelchair player and one standing player and naming volunteer pairs Doug and Marge Sullivan, Rodney and Angie Taylor, Connie Coene and Kathy Necker, and Andrea Willoughby and Judy Petersen. The club thanked Laurie Ochs, saying the tournament "came off very well, and everyone involved had a lot of fun."

Organizers framed the Classic as more than a weekend of matches: the club presented the tournament as the funding engine behind court improvements, free beginner lessons, merchandise and member discounts, and charitable grants. The newsletter closed with the club’s signature: "Pickle on, Steve.