Pickleball is the world’s fastest-growing sport, and St. Joseph is no exception. At the heart of the local pickleball scene is a group of locals who have taken pickleball from a fun activity to a hobby—and ultimately to a lifestyle. Okay, it’s not quite that extreme. But the Pony Express Pickle Ball Club (PEPC) is a local organization designed for players from all around the area who love the game of pickleball, desire a consistent opportunity to sharpen their skills, and are committed to a community of camaraderie, fun and competition.
The PEPC hosts local tournaments, many of which are official events, later entered into a program called DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating), where game scores, tournament outcomes, and player rankings are tracked. The club hosts DUPR events on Tuesday and Thursday nights, as well as Wednesday mornings. These events are open to all ages and skill levels, with players separated into three different divisions to keep things fair and fun. The atmosphere is competitive yet welcoming—great for working up a sweat, staying connected with other pickleball heads, and maybe even raising that DUPR score a tad.
But the PEPC isn’t all about backhands, put-aways, and drop shots (yes, those are pickleball terms)—it’s really about community and the love of the game. Members have stepped up to improve local courts, adding shade coverings for summer games, installing gates to the courts, and even mounting drink and ball holders to make gameplay smoother. With affordable membership fees, players get discounts on tournament entries and some sweet club-branded merch, too.
Beyond the courts, the PEPC helps foster a broader pickleball community by promoting surrounding events in the region—so if there’s a great tournament happening in Kansas City or nearby, chances are you’ll hear about it through them. They’re also active on Facebook, where they share schedules, updates, photos and all things pickleball to keep members in the loop and newcomers feeling welcome.
Whether you’re chasing a higher DUPR rating or just looking for a few good games with great people, the Pony Express Pickle Ball Club is the perfect place to plug in. It’s more than just a club: it’s a crew of people who love the game, care about their community, and believe in making pickleball fun, competitive and accessible for everyone.
So next time you’re looking for a way to break a sweat, meet new faces, and maybe even pick up a new hobby (or obsession), swing by a PEPC event. You might come for the pickleball—but you’ll stay for the people.