A weekend Dallas/Fort Worth plays pickleball to benefit Camp Summit.
More than 15 years ago, Paul Straten's connection to Camp Summit began in the most personal way possible, through his daughter, Jackie. When Jackie attended Camp Summit for the first time, it opened the door to a community defined by acceptance, joy, and opportunity for individuals with special needs. What started as a single experience quickly became a lasting bond. Over the years, Camp Summit has not only impacted the Straten family but has also become a cornerstone for countless families across the country since its founding in 1947.
Then in 2020, Paul decided to channel that connection into action. After years of supporting the camp through a golf tournament, he launched a pickleball tournament as a new way to bring people together in support of the mission. What began as a modest, "fun-sized" event with about 30 teams steadily gained momentum over the next 4 years, proving that a well-run, purpose-driven event could both inspire participants and generate meaningful support for our special needs community.
In 2024, that vision took a major step forward when Bill "Maty" Matyastik crafted an idea for a much larger scale event including a Pro-Am and an Auction Dinner to accompany it. Paul loved it and the Cowtown Classic was born. Accompanied by an incredibly dedicated five-man Cowtown Committee, the event has quickly evolved into one of the most anticipated charity tournaments in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The Cowtown Classic is focused not just on competition, but on delivering a first-class experience with a deeper purpose.
Now, in 2026, the team is aiming higher than ever, setting its sights on raising $100,000, a significant leap from last year's $65,000 milestone, and continuing to build something that truly makes a difference for the special needs community. We hope you share our passion and find just the right opportunity for you to get involved as well!
= 40+ campers off to Camp Summit, on us.
Up from 115 in 2025. 25 tables of 8 at Blue Mesa, the heart of our fundraising night.
Double what we sold last year. Items from $25 to $5,000: experiences, getaways, memorabilia.
The biggest growth lever. We're seeking Title, Court, Dinner, and Friend-level partners. See below.
A dressy Friday in Fort Worth's Cultural District, then paddles up Saturday morning. You can come for either. You can come for both.
A room of 200 friends, neighbors, and first-timers raising a glass and a paddle (figuratively) for Camp Summit. Live and silent auctions plus a dinner starts the weekend with a bang.
Two days of competitive, friendly, Fort-Worth-big-hearted pickleball. Amateur brackets Saturday and Sunday. PPA Pro-Am on Sunday afternoon, where you get paired with a PPA pro and play for the cause.
Block-by-block timing across Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday. Subject to small adjustments as the lineup confirms.
Camp Summit is a nonprofit residential camp in Paradise, Texas, serving children and adults with disabilities. Week-long sessions give campers the experience of sleep-away camp: swimming, fishing, art, and friendship, all in an environment staffed and built for them.
It costs $2,300 to send one camper to Camp Summit for a week. Our 2026 goal of $100,000 puts 40+ campers in the cabins.
"Camp Summit gave our son a week that was all his. He came home standing taller." Camp Summit family, 2025Learn more about Camp Summit →
Whether you play, sponsor, bid, or donate, every dollar raised helps us pay for another camper.
Register your team for the Saturday & Sunday tournament at Picklr West Fort Worth. Brackets for every level, plus the PPA Pro-Am on Sunday.
Enter a team →Friday Night Dinner & Auction at Blue Mesa. Bring 8 friends, bid on great lots, and set the tone for the weekend.
Reserve a table →Title, Court, Dinner, or Friend. Put your business in front of 500+ Fort Worth players and donors.
See packages →Can't play? Every dollar goes straight to Camp Summit. $2,300 sends one camper for a life-changing week.
Give now →Setup, registration, auction, and day-of court support. A few hours of your time keeps the weekend running and puts more dollars on the bus to camp.
Sign up to volunteer →Our sponsors make the Cowtown Classic possible. Six ways to get involved at every level. All gifts are tax-deductible through Camp Summit's 501(c)(3).
Other packages available, for more information email Bill "Maty" Matyastik at [email protected], or become an Ambassador to help us hit $100,000.
Come for the dinner, come for the tournament, or just send a camper to Camp Summit. Every path gets us to $100,000.
