PGA 2024 Spring Pickleball Tournament : Pickleball’s popularity is soaring across the U.S., and Guam is no exception to this trend.
The recent PGA 2024 Spring Pickleball Tournament held at the Guam National Tennis Center saw a turnout of exactly 50 players, highlighting the game’s growing appeal on the island.
Over the course of two days, from May 4th to May 5th, the tournament showcased intense competition culminating in five championship matches.
The standout match of the tournament was the mixed division singles finals, featuring 61-year-old Robert Bartonico and 21-year-old Navy diver Ashton Agnew from Kingsland, Georgia.
In a thrilling encounter, Agnew emerged victorious with a hard-fought 11-1, 10-12, 13-11 win over Bartonico. Despite his age, Bartonico proved to be a formidable opponent, pushing Agnew to his limits.
Agnew, acknowledging Bartonico’s skill, praised his opponent’s solid gameplay, stating, “That dude plays really hard.”
The match saw momentum shifts, with Agnew dominating the first set, only for Bartonico to mount a comeback in the second set with a change in strategy, showcasing his tactical prowess and resilience.
In the decisive third set, Agnew’s powerful serves and winners initially put him in the lead.
However, Bartonico, facing match point and with his back against the wall, displayed remarkable determination, narrowing the gap and even earning a match point of his own.
Despite a moment of confusion during the match, Agnew maintained his composure and ultimately secured victory with a final score of 13-11 in the third set.
Another fiercely contested final was the women’s advanced doubles showdown, featuring Maggie Velloso and Rosa Ha against Annie Zhao and Gemma Manansala.
Velloso and Ha emerged triumphant after a hard-fought battle, clinching victory with an 11-7, 7-11, 11-8 scoreline.
Reflecting on their win, Velloso expressed gratitude for her partnership with Ha, highlighting their strong chemistry on the court.
Despite a setback in the second set, they rallied together to claim victory in the deciding set, sealing their championship title with a well-earned win.
The tournament not only showcased the growing popularity of pickleball in Guam but also highlighted the skill and determination of its players, promising an exciting future for the sport on the island.
PGA 2024 Spring Pickleball Tournament Results
Here are the results of PGA 2024 Spring Pickleball Tournament :
| Type of Game | Result of PGA 2024 Spring Pickleball Tournament |
| 1. Men’s Intermediate Doubles | Francis Moylan and Michael Pacacha def. Peter Cruz and Elwin Quitano, 11-5, 11-3 |
| 2. Women’s Doubles | Maggie Velloso and Rosa Ha def. Annie Zhao and Gemma Manansala, 11-7, 7-11, 11-8 |
| 3. Mixed Singles | Ashton Agnew def. Robert Bartonico, 11-1, 10-12, 13-11 |
| 4. Mixed Doubles | Jhun Pulongbarit and Maggie Velloso def. Ashton Agnew and Mona Taijeron, 11-4, 11-3 |
| 5. Men’s Doubles Advanced | Ashton Agnew and Derek Madden def. Jhun Pulongbarit and Robert Bartonico, 11-4, 11-2 |
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