By Coral Gables Gazette staff

When players take the courts at the William H. Kerdyk Biltmore Tennis Center on Saturday, November 8, it won’t just be about volleys and victories. The Paddles for a Purpose Pickleball Tournament—now in its second year in Coral Gables—has become one of the city’s most spirited examples of competition fused with compassion.

The daylong event, running from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., benefits Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of South Florida, an organization that provides free lodging, meals, and emotional support for families of children receiving medical treatment in Miami-area hospitals. Proceeds from this year’s tournament will help fund the charity’s next major step: a new seven-story facility with 54 bedrooms on the Jackson Memorial Hospital campus, nearly doubling its capacity to serve families in crisis.

A citywide show of support

The Coral Gables City Commission voted last month to contribute a $2,500 sponsorship toward this year’s tournament and to provide both a dedicated trolley and complimentary off-site parking for the day. Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson, who sponsored the resolution, described the partnership as a way for the city to stand visibly behind an organization “where hope has a home.”

Anderson noted that last year’s tournament drew a large crowd—but also parking headaches, with cars spilling onto grass and drivers ticketed along Anastasia Avenue. Working with City Manager Peter Iglesias, she arranged for parking at Garage 4 and the Venetian Pool lot this year, with trolley service to shuttle players and spectators directly to the Biltmore courts.

“This is the second year we’re doing it,” Anderson told colleagues during a meeting last month. “It’s a great event to go to, have some fun, and help with the fundraising.”

Mayor Vince Lago added his own endorsement, recalling that he has supported Ronald McDonald House for years. “They’re doing great things,” he said, commending Anderson for championing a cause that gives back to the community in tangible ways. Lago, who attended last year’s tournament, said the event was “really nice—well attended,” and that he plans to play again this year.

Community, competition and care

The City’s $2,500 sponsorship joins a growing network of local partners that includes The Yards and Pro Power Protein. RMHC South Florida’s Events Manager Hanna Kleinhans told commissioners the 2024 tournament attracted over 300 participants and 200 spectators—a turnout she expects to exceed this year thanks to improved logistics and word of mouth.

The tournament’s format is round-robin, spread across 20 courts, with brackets ranging from under-3.0 to 4.5-plus in men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles. A separate kids’ division and celebrity play session will round out the evening slate. Beyond the competition, spectators can enjoy food vendors, raffles, and live announcements throughout the day.

For those looking to elevate the experience, VIP tickets include premium seating, a morning Mimosa Bar featuring espresso martinis and pastelitos, and an afternoon open bar with catered bites. It’s an unmistakably Coral Gables mix of philanthropy and festivity—a chance to do good while savoring a well-curated social scene.

Building “the house that love built”

Kleinhans used her remarks before the commission to spotlight the organization’s broader mission. RMHC Miami has served families for 43 years, housing parents and children under 21 who travel for pediatric treatment from across South Florida and the Caribbean.

She described how the charity currently supports families with infants in neonatal intensive care as well as teenagers undergoing complex procedures such as leukemia treatment. The new house, now in its capital-campaign stage, is scheduled to break ground in early 2027. “It’s not just to raise money for our house,” Kleinhans said, “but to come together as a community to have a day of fun and laughter and find a way to spread joy playing pickleball.”

At the most recent commission meeting, Anderson again encouraged residents to register or sponsor by scanning the event’s QR code, holding up a poster to drive participation. She drew a poignant connection between RMHC and hospitals like Nicklaus Children’s, emphasizing how both allow families to stay close during the most difficult medical journeys.

The mayor responded simply: “I’ll be there. We’re playing—showing our support.”

A civic rally with heart

The Paddles for a Purpose tournament has quickly evolved from a niche sporting event into a symbol of the City Beautiful’s civic generosity. It represents an ongoing collaboration between local government, nonprofit leadership, and an engaged citizen base that enjoys turning recreation into impact.

This year’s enhancements—the city-sponsored trolley, organized parking at Garage 4 (385 Andalusia Ave.) and the Venetian Pool lot and expanded courts—aim to make the experience seamless for the hundreds expected to attend. For Anderson, the event embodies the community’s best instincts: active, inclusive, and ready to serve.

Whether arriving for the morning rounds or the evening celebrity match, participants and spectators alike will find more than a game in progress. They’ll find a visible expression of how Coral Gables rallies around families who need it most—one serve, sip and smile at a time.

Event details

What: Paddles for a Purpose Pickleball Tournament
When: Saturday, November 8, 10 a.m.–9 p.m.
Where: William H. Kerdyk Biltmore Tennis Center, 1150 Anastasia Ave., Coral Gables
How: Register or sponsor: RMHC South Florida official event page

Tournament Format: Round Robin

Bracket Schedule:

10:00 am
Under 3.0 men
Under 3.0 women
Under 3.5 men
Under 3.5 women

12:00 pm
Under 3.0 mixed
Under 3.5 mixed
Under 4.0 men
Under 4.0 women

2:00 pm
Under 4.0 mixed
Under 4.5 men
Under 4.5 women
Kids

4:00 pm
Under 4.5 mixed
4.5+ men
4.5+ women
Open play

6:00 pm
Mix 4.5+
Celebrities, including city officials – Anderson/Lago vs. Castro/Fernandez?
Open play