DIAMOND WINS INAUGURAL PICKLE FOR POLICE TITLE

Casey Diamond bested several of America’s best pickleball players to claim the Boca Raton Police Foundation’s inaugural Pickle For Police tournament at Patch Reef Park.

“It feels good,” said Diamond, a Delray Beach resident. “I’ve actually played three or four of these type tournaments and I had not won one yet. So it’s great.”

Diamond, the Association of Pickleball Players No. 11-ranked player, entered the final rotation of the Hearty Pickle scoring format tied at five wins with Jayden Broderick. Diamond and partner Richard Livornese (APP No. 5) defeated Broderick and Spencer Lanier (APP No. 20), earning Diamond the title.

The event marked the first professional tournament at Patch Reef Park’s three-month old covered pickleball complex – the largest such facility in Palm Beach County.

“What a day for Boca Raton and the Foundation,” said Finis Cole II, whose Cole Metals Group sponsor the two-day event. “This is a great facility, we saw pickleball played at an elite level, and the fans really seemed to enjoy themselves.”

Pickle For Police continues on Saturday with the Corporate/First Responders Cup pitting local first responders and corporate teams against each other.

A family event, Saturday will feature a food truck, police specialty vehicles, and local vendors.

The fun begins at 9 a.m. and is expected to run until noon. As a special treat, around noon Boca Raton’s K9 officers and their handlers will display their skills and training during a demonstration.

Pickle For Police is sponsored by Celsius, Cole Metals Group, Boca Raton Regional Hospital, and Alan Rose Philanthropy.