A former poker professional with over $2.4 million in lifetime earnings not too long ago grew to become a champion. No, he didn’t win a World Collection of Poker (WSOP) gold bracelet, although he’s come shut on a number of events together with a Thirteenth-place end within the 2005 WSOP Predominant Occasion for a career-high $400,000. As an alternative, this participant has ascended to the highest of the Pickleball world!
Listed here are another hints as to who it’s: He has written a Sunday poker column for the Boston Herald, penned two books, hosted a long-running poker radio present, and co-hosted ESPN Inside Deal. A Harvard graduate, this former WSOP Academy teacher based the Full Home Charity Program in 2011 to assist children-focused organizations in New England.
We’re speaking about none apart from Bernard Lee!
Alongside together with his associate and fellow Wayland, Massachusetts resident, Michele Tezduyar, Lee captured the Massachusetts State Pickleball Combined Doubles Championship that was held again on September 22 through the 2024 Massachusetts Senior Video games.
The annual video games date again to 1991 and embody over 25 sports activities, one being the red-hot sport of pickleball. Practically 200 pickleballers competed in several occasions primarily based on ability ranges and age brackets. Lee and Tezduyar, who’re 54 and 49 respectively, conquered a tricky bracket that was comprised of 45-54-year-old gamers with the best ability degree (superior 4.0+).
Lee beforehand captured the 2023 Nationwide Senior Video games Singles Championship held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania final July. He at present serves because the Head Pickleball Professional at Life Time Health Boston Metrowest, which is the place he met Tezduyar and took her on a scholar.
“You all the time enter a event hoping to seize the title, however you by no means understand how powerful the competitors might be and the way you play that day as a workforce. We performed effectively, however undoubtedly needed to struggle again in a single essential match to earn this championship,” recalled Lee.
He added: “Michele performed an unimaginable match, particularly when it mattered probably the most. In combined doubles, many groups goal the girl participant and this match was no exception. Once we had been going through quite a few match factors, Michele made certain to play errorless pickleball, permitting us to return again and win this important match.”
Tezduyar said: “I’ve performed in a number of tournaments this previous 12 months, however nothing in comparison with this one. You would really feel the strain within the air as everybody wished to grow to be state champions, together with myself … I can’t consider that I’m a state champion. It is going to undoubtedly be one thing that I’ll treasure.”
These wanting to maintain up with the previous poker professional’s new pickleball exploits can accomplish that on social media by following him on Twitter and Instagram @BLeePickleball or his YouTube Web page right here.
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