Tom Lowrie stepped down this year as Westport’s pickleball ambassador.
He earned his retirement. He’s 97 years old.
But as the new year ends, he looks back on the history of the sport here. Among the key dates:
2014: Kevin Cunningham and friends played pickleball in the Longshore tennis courts’ practice area.
2016: With Dan De Vito’s help, the Parks & Recreation Department constructed 2 courts at Compo Beach. 1st Selectman Jim Marpe cut the ribbon.
2019-2024: Parks & Rec lined 4 tennis courts at the Town Farm and Doubleday, creating 8 dual-use pickleball court; Parks & Rec offered a winter program in the Bedford Middle School gym, but the Board of Education refused to paint new lines and the program failed; the Y’s Men created a popular pickleball activity; painting lines on private driveways became popular.
Compo Beach courts (Photo copyright DinkinESH Fotografix)
2025: Under new director Erik Barbieri, Parks & Rec reconditioned the Compo Beach courts; Andrew Colabella organized a rededication ceremony, after the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) named them the Lowrie Courts.
Moving forward, Lowrie offers this wish list for 2026:
- Enclosed pickleball courts and pavilion at Longshore’s parking Lot F, next to the ER Strait Marina.
- If the wooden skate park at Compo is removed, it would free up 12,000 square feet. This area could accommodate more pickleball courts, a concrete skate park, a mini-golf course, exercise equipment, or whatever else the town decides.
- “Friends of Westport Parks and Recreation” was conceived in 2010 as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Its mission is to “enhance, preserve, protect and promote Westport’s Parks & Rec facilities and programs.” Let them know your thoughts on pickleball.
Lowrie adds, “Brandon Osterhout is the new USA Pickleball ambassador for Westport.
“I know you will give him your support and creativity in promoting pickleball for Westport. His email is brandon.osterhout@gmail.com. He would love to hear from you all.”
Tom Lowrie posed for the Westport Library’s “I geek…” campaign with appropriate gear. (Photo/Pam Einarsen)
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At age 97, I love that Tom is still looking toward the future and continuing to promote the sport he loves so much. He’s pickleball’s Energizer Bunny. His boundless enthusiasm and patient persistence to grow the sport in Westport are beyond admirable and inspiring. Keep on ticking, Tom!