A former poker pro with over $2.4 million in lifetime earnings recently became a champion. No, he didn’t win a World Series of Poker (WSOP) gold bracelet, though he’s come close on several occasions including a 13th-place finish in the 2005 WSOP Main Event for a career-high $400,000. Instead, this player has ascended to the top of the Pickleball world!
Here are some other hints as to who it is: He has written a Sunday poker column for the Boston Herald, penned two books, hosted a long-running poker radio show, and co-hosted ESPN Inside Deal. A Harvard graduate, this former WSOP Academy instructor founded the Full House Charity Program in 2011 to help children-focused organizations in New England.
We’re talking about none other than Bernard Lee!
Along with his partner and fellow Wayland, Massachusetts resident, Michele Tezduyar, Lee captured the Massachusetts State Pickleball Mixed Doubles Championship that was held back on September 22 during the 2024 Massachusetts Senior Games.
The annual games date back to 1991 and encompass over 25 sports, one being the red-hot game of pickleball. Nearly 200 pickleballers competed in different events based on skill levels and age brackets. Lee and Tezduyar, who are 54 and 49 respectively, conquered a tough bracket that was comprised of 45-54-year-old players with the highest skill level (advanced 4.0+).
Lee previously captured the 2023 National Senior Games Singles Championship held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania last July. He currently serves as the Head Pickleball Pro at Life Time Fitness Boston Metrowest, which is where he met Tezduyar and took her on a student.
“You always enter a tournament hoping to capture the title, but you never know how tough the competition will be and how you play that day as a team. We played well, but definitely had to fight back in one crucial match to earn this championship,” recalled Lee.
He added: “Michele played an incredible match, especially when it mattered the most. In mixed doubles, many teams target the woman player and this match was no exception. When we were facing numerous match points, Michele made sure to play errorless pickleball, allowing us to come back and win this critical match.”
Tezduyar stated: “I have played in multiple tournaments this past year, but nothing compared to this one. You could feel the tension in the air as everyone wanted to become state champions, including myself … I can’t believe that I’m a state champion. It will definitely be something that I will treasure.”
Those wanting to keep up with the former poker pro’s new pickleball exploits can do so on social media by following him on Twitter and Instagram @BLeePickleball or his YouTube Page here.
PR & Media Manager