Community Comes Together to Honor Dr. Lohano at First-Ever DCH Foundation Pickleball Tournament

*For all of the photos from the weekend tournament, click here* 

Hundreds of community members gathered June 27–29 at the Daviess County Pickleball Courts for the first-ever Daviess Community Hospital Foundation Pickleball Tournament, a heartfelt event honoring the legacy of the late Dr. Suresh Lohano—a beloved local physician, family man, and passionate pickleball enthusiast.

The tournament opened with a special ceremony featuring remarks from DCH Foundation Director Angie Steiner, Washington Mayor David Rhoads, Bill Dobson with Daviess County Pickleball, and Dr. Vasdev Lohano, brother of the late Dr. Suresh Lohano and physician at Daviess Community Hospital.

“This event is more than a tournament—it’s a tribute to someone who gave so much to this community,” Steiner said. “Dr. Lohano loved the game of pickleball, but more importantly, he loved people. The proceeds from this event will support a scholarship in his name to assist students pursuing careers in healthcare.”

Mayor Rhoads praised the Lohano family for their continued contributions to the Washington community. “This is exactly what we hoped to see when we developed these courts—people gathering, playing, and connecting,” he said.

Dr. Vasdev Lohano gave an emotional address, describing his brother’s deep love for pickleball and family. “He pulled pretty much every one of us into the sport,” Lohano said. “This is the perfect way to honor him—he loved this town and would be so proud.”

Competitive Spirit and Community Support

More than 100 youth and adult players from across Indiana and Kentucky participated in the three-day tournament. Winners hailed from communities spanning Zionsville, Indiana to Louisville, Kentucky.

Youth players were grouped into two age brackets (8–15 and 16–18), with Logan and Landon Gallagher taking first, Annabelle Blake and Andrew Beden taking second, and Jason and Daniel Caravantes taking third place in the older group, while Isabelle and Clarabelle Blake won gold in the younger group, followed by Armani Sandoval and Chandler Hill in second, and Aubrie Dobson and Aleaha Rice in third.

Adult competitions spanned a variety of skill levels, with over a dozen brackets awarding medals, including:

• Women’s 3.0 Singles:
  • First: Diane LaGrange
  • Second: Sharyn Fountain
• Men’s 4.0 Singles:
  • First: Tyrell Moore
  • Second: Finn Adams
  • Third: Kristin Stewart
• Men’s 3.0 Singles:
  • First: Lane Sluder
  • Second: Bill Dobson
  • Third: Tristen Bronaugh
• Women’s 2.5 Doubles:
  • First: Shannon Graber and Jessica Kavanaugh
  • Second: Sara Clark and Karen Jason
  • Third: Laurie Gray and Katie Baumert
• Women’s 4.0 Doubles:
  • First: Miranda Camp and Courtney Hubbard
  • Second: Kris Wampler and Lauri Marksberry
• Women’s 3.0 Doubles:
  • First: Sandy Engstrom and Karen Lane
  • Second: Kelly Luker and Sharon Hurt
  • Third: Jolene Crippes-Callaway and Phoebe Correll
• Women’s 3.5 Doubles:
  • First: Kim Scirfres and Lisa Powell
  • Second: Sammi Nelson and Sharrie Niehaus
  • Third: Linda Gress and Pam Hart
• Men’s 4.5 Doubles:
  • First: Chris Bateman and Jeff Doyle
  • Second: John Fidler and James Tapley
  • Third: Logan Thacker and Josh Primus
• Men’s 2.5 Doubles:
  • First: Dushant Lohano and Greg Allison
  • Second: Brian Riley and AJ Miles
  • Third: Richard Tucker and Clayton Underhill
• Men’s 3.0 Singles:
  • First: Courtney Kavanaugh and Gary Wafford
  • Second: Jeff Huey and Jarrin Huey
  • Third: Olsen Kroeger and Kevin Kroeger
• Men’s 4.0 Doubles:
  • First: Juan Tirado and Phil Embry
  • Second: Tyrell Moore and Clayton Chestnut
  • Third: Keith Morton and Matt Sponn
• Mixed Doubles 4.0:
  • First: Josh Macer and Alyssa Like
  • Second: Miranda Camp and Michael Conwell
  • Third: Bill Dobson and Liz Gutgsell
• Mixed Doubles 4.5:
  • First: Jeff Doyle and Sarah Jones
  • Second: Chris Bateman and Laura Allison
  • Third: John Fidler and Amber Mann
• Mixed Doubles 2.5:
  • First: Audrey Sama and Logan Lankford
  • Second: Tracy Pride and Crystal Dant
  • Third: Jace Sama and Jessica Torres
• Mixed Doubles 3.0:
  • First: Courtney and Jessica Kavanaugh
  • Second: Kavita Lohano and Garry Wafford
  • Third: Sarisha Lohano and Kevin Allison
• Mixed Doubles 3.5:
  • First: Melba Covel and Kim Stoll
  • Second: Kim Staback and Mike Niehaus
  • Third: Lane Sluder and Regina Blinn

A raffle quilt was awarded to Keith Morton of Washington, and a weekend-long silent auction—including custom baskets created by the Lohano family—drew strong community participation.

Community Generosity and Recognition

While final totals are still being calculated, the event is projected to have raised approximately $20,000 in support of the DCH Foundation’s mission.

The Foundation extended gratitude to the following sponsors:

• Smash Level ($3,000): City of Washington, Daviess Community Hospital, Shake Broadcasting (WAMW), WWBL
• Golden Pickle ($1,500): Daviess County Visitor's Bureau, First Financial Bank, RTC Communications
• Ace ($1,000): Bill Dobson Ford, Terri Kelso Insurance
• Volley ($500): Alicia Fields and Family, Daviess-Martin REMC, First Federal Savings Bank of Washington, First Savings Bank – Odon, GPC, Stoll's Lakeview
• Dink ($250): Jimmy John’s (RLP Enterprises LLC), Matt, April, Molly and Maddy Settles, Nasco

Committee members recognized for helping plan the event include Bill Dobson, Terri Kelso, and members of the Daviess County Pickleball Board and Committee.

The event also featured several food trucks, including Big Al’s BBQ, Woodshed Pizza, Rockin and Rollin Dogs, Jose’s Burritos, and Spillin’ Tea with Mama Z, which served players and spectators throughout the weekend.

Looking Ahead

While formal plans for 2026 are not yet in place, early feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many attendees and participants already expressing interest in returning next year.

“This was a beautiful way to honor Dr. Lohano’s spirit and the many lives he touched,” Steiner said. “We’re so grateful to everyone who helped make this possible.”

For more information about the Daviess Community Hospital Foundation or to donate in memory of Dr. Lohano, visit https://www.dchosp.org/our-foundation/.