Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in the US, attracting players of all ages. To help promote the sport, two pickleball ambassadors organized a challenge between Tellico Village and Fairfield Glade back in 2008. Ambassador Wayne Matthews of Fairfield Glade and Ambassador Dan Dyer of Telllico Village took charge of this event. Twenty-four men and women from the two communities were selected to take part in this event promoting camaraderie and fun. It was such a success that it has become a yearly event between these two communities. The event promotes sportsmanship, friendship and is a great social event. Each community hosts the event on alternating years. The 2018 pickleball challenge took place on Friday, April 20, in Tellico Village, under a windy but sunny sky.

Each community organized 12 men and 12 women to compete in women's doubles, men's doubles and mixed doubles. The first team to reach 15 points wins that particular match. The winning community brings home the trophy that has been shared all these years. The trophy stays with the winning community until the challenge of the following year.

In order to be declared winners for a particular year, all the points from all the matches are totaled. Each winning game gets a 2-point bonus. The non-winning team who scores at least 11 points gets a 1-point bonus. So, win or lose, all the points matter. Last year Tellico Village won by 2 points. This year, Fairfield Glade won by 10 points. Fun was had by all. Congratulations to all those who participated this year. In addition, a special thank you goes to Tim Connor, Diane Richards and William Taylor for working out all the logistics of this year's event. Your hard work is recognized and appreciated by all who took part in this. Everyone looks forward to next year's challenge and to the fun ahead.