Pickleball players across Central Florida will soon have a new reason to hit the courts while supporting a cause. The Winter Garden Heritage Foundation is hosting its first-ever “Paddles for the Past” Pickleball Tournament, presented by Orlando Health. The event on Saturday, Feb. 28, is set to start at 8 a.m. at the Roper and Dr. Phillips YMCA Family Centers.
The inaugural tournament blends friendly competition with community impact, raising funds to support the Foundation’s mission of preserving and celebrating West Orange County’s history. Organized in partnership with the YMCA of Central Florida, the event is open to players of all skill levels, with brackets for recreational players, competitive players, and a dedicated senior division for participants ages 65 and up.
Proceeds from the tournament will directly benefit the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation, which has served as a cornerstone of downtown Winter Garden for more than 30 years. The nonprofit offers programming year-round, including community exhibits, education initiatives, and monthly luncheons that make local history accessible to residents and visitors.
“We are so much more than a museum; we are a cultural home for everyone,” said Kristi Gomen, Executive Director of the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation, in a press release. “We are deeply thankful to Orlando Health and the YMCA of Central Florida for helping us launch this event. It’s a perfect reflection of what we do – bringing people together to celebrate our shared culture and create new memories in the heart of the city we love.”
Registration fees are $75 per person or $150 per team for recreational and competitive divisions, while the senior division is $55 per person or $110 per team. Brackets are still open, and interested players can register through wghf.org. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.
With paddles in hand and history at the heart, “Paddles for the Past” is bringing sport, storytelling, and local pride together on the pickleball court.