GREEN COVE SPRINGS – From young to old, pickleball has become a sport for all ages. And the Thomas Hogans Memorial Gym has become a place where residents can participate in the fun.

Clay County Pickleball made a home at the gym and has been providing an outlet for people to learn and play the fast-growing sport.

“It’s a lot of fun [and] you meet a lot of good people. And … you can go at your own pace,” said Glee Glisson, Director of Clay County Pickleball.

Glisson said the city allowed for the club to use the gym for only a couple of days a week, however, Glisson said they have now built it up to four days a week.

Player Danny Blevins said he began playing the sport due to his declining relationship with tennis. Once an avid tennis player, Blevins said the sport took a toll on his health.

“Unfortunately, it got to where it was affecting my health … and rather than continue, I just discontinued the tennis playing. I’m guessing maybe four or five years later, I was introduced to pickleball and found it very entertaining,” Blevins said.

As a previous pickleball ambassador, Blevins said he discovered pickleball at a time when it was very rarely seen in the county. Starting at the Barco-Newton Family and Dye Clay Family YMCA, Blevins said the small group of players eventually grew out of the limited spaces.

Moving to the outside facility at Paul Armstrong Park, Blevins said the growing demand for the sport caused them to outgrow that space soon, as well. That caused them to take matters into their own hands.

“We began a letter-writing campaign to the commissioners, from the pickleball players, about the possibility of changing the tennis courts at (Ronnie) Van Zant (Park) … into a pickleball court. The concrete was already there; the fence was already there. So, it required a minimum amount of money and time,” Blevins said.

Blevins said that around 2016, the county approved and built the group six pickleball courts. Blevins added that it soon became a popular playing ground for the sport.

Blevins said the city opened the Thomas Hogans Memorial Gym around three or four years ago for pickleball playing, providing them with new courts. Unlike traditional outside-playing, Blevins said it allowed the players to transition to playing inside.

“We are very appreciative to the city for allowing us to play pickleball here. Especially in July, when it’s 100 degrees outside,” Blevins said.

Playing on Monday mornings, Tuesday nights, Wednesday mornings and Saturday mornings, players spend two and a half hours giving the sport their all. Glisson said every week, the game is faithfully played by people from 12 to 92 years old.

“They range from beginners to high abilities…I’ve seen as high as 5-0 players here. Which is probably top rankings,” Glisson said.

Glisson said that not only does the group use pickleball as a way to have competitive fun, but also as a way to give back to the community.

Coming up in August, Glisson said the pickleball players plan to team with the Food Pantry of Green Cove Springs. With a tournament in store, Glisson said each player will have to give $25 worth of groceries as an entry fee.

With an estimated 100 to 120 people entering the tournament, Glisson said the project will surely succeed.

“It’s a big amount of groceries, and it all goes to them. That’s all because of pickleball players giving back to the community,” Glisson said.

Glisson said that in December, the players also plan to hold a scholarship tournament to raise money for seniors at Clay High.

“Last year, we gave the rotary $5,000 to give to Clay High seniors. We gave five $1,000 scholarships. And, we hope to do that well or better this year,” Glisson said.

With big plans in store, Glisson said she hopes to see more people come out to participate in pickleball for its many benefits.

“It’s just a fun place. And, if this makes them feel better and to help their physical health, that’s what I want it to do,” Glisson said.