For the third time in a row, Tattnall Square Pickleball Center (1115 College Street) is hosting the Georgia Recreation and Park Association (GRPA) Pickleball State Tournament. The tournament is happening Friday, September 15 through Sunday, September 17. Matches begin Friday at 10:00 a.m.

More than 450 players came from Hiawassee to Cairo to play pickleball this weekend. With the success of Macon-Bibb County hosting this tournament the past two years, GRPA chose to return this year.

“Macon Pickleball boasts the most active and engaged membership of any club in the state. Our members give so freely of their time and talents to provide visitors with a welcoming and hospitable atmosphere,” says Macon Pickleball Board Member John Roberts. “That combined with the vision of our local leaders to recognize the enormous economic impact potential of pickleball and invest in it by helping create the finest pickleball facility in the state led the GRPA to award this tournament to Macon-Bibb for the third consecutive year.”

“I don’t think you’ll find anyone that would tell you this isn’t the best facility in the state,” says Special Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) Coordinator Clay Murphy. “Being centrally located, having nearby hotels, being close to downtown with restaurants all makes it more inviting to people and groups.”

There are currently 26 dedicated pickleball courts lighted for people to play all hours of the day at the Tattnall Pickleball Center. To kick off the State Championship, singles play will take place on Friday, September 15 starting at 10 a.m. Gender doubles will be played all day on Saturday, followed by mixed doubles all day Sunday. Spectators are welcome to come out and enjoy the atmosphere.