CRANBERRY TWP — Competition and catching up.

The 41-year-old Leisie Open, a singles and doubles badminton tournament devised by Evans City resident Chris Leisie and his brother, Matt, provides exactly that for participants and their families.

But that wasn’t its original intent.

“We were all wrestlers for Seneca Valley,” Chris Leisie said. “During the off-season, we did a lot of running and wright room work to stay in shape. We always fooled around with badminton, so we thought setting up a small tournament would be a fun summer thing to do along those lines.

“There were six of us when we started this thing. Since then, it’s gotten crazy.”

The first Leisie Open was held in 1982. The past six have been held over the Fourth of July weekend as the Walsh family — Jim and Doug Walsh were among the event’s originators — are always in town at that time for as family reunion.

“We’re so close to them. They are like brothers to us,” Matt Leisie said of the Walshes.

The Leisie Open has developed into a Seneca Valley reunion.

“It used to be just a wrestling thing,” Leisie said of the badminton participants. “It’s since opened up to former classmates and their families, friends ... We had a full board of 32 players competing in singles this year. Others play just for fun. We had 45 or so on the courts at one time or another that day.”

The event takes place in Leisie’s backyard. He has two full, officially-lined grass badminton courts, both with lights, so competition could go on well into the night.

“We have a bonfire at night, people just hang out and talk ... It’s when we catch up with each other,“ Leisie said.

As classmates began getting married and having children, the Leisie Open was shut down for a while.

“It went on hiatus after a few years,” 1985 Seneca Valley graduate Aurellio Calope said. “Life happens. People became busy with their spouses and kids. It was bound to come back eventually. It’s hard to believe this started more than 40 years ago.”

Calope and his family come in from Whitewater, Wisc., for the event. His wife, the former Diana Gibbon, is also a Seneca Valley graduate.

Michael Gross comes up from Dunedin, Fla. Jim Walsh comes back from Denver and his brother, Jim, from Idaho.

“I’ve been in Florida for 30 years,” Gross said. “I come back for the Leisie Open as often as I can. It’s a great opportunity to catch up with old friends — the friendships we formed as wrestling teammates was so strong — and the competition is fantastic.

“Believe me, people take these matches seriously. It’s a big deal to win. I begin practicing in May, just to make sure I’m ready. It’s such a good time.”

The Leisie Open has become multi-generational, with children of the event’s originators now in their 20’s and 30’s.

“The younger generation is taking over,” Gross said, laughing. “I feel like we’re passing the torch. We’re in our 50’s, our kids are in their 20’s.

“We have the experience, but they’re beating us with their athleticism.”

Well ... not all of them.

Doug Walsh, 59, reached the championship match of the 2023 Leisie Open and held a 13-12 lead (needing 15 points to win) before giving up three consecutive points in a 15-13 loss.

“I consider that quite an accomplishment,” Walsh said. “You’re in the finals, everyone is crowded around watching, and to come that close ... my goal is to win at least one Leisie Open in my 60’s. That’s my plan.

“But I admit ... my body’s feeling pretty sore right now.”

Leisie said Walsh is referred to by other players as “the badminton ninja. He’s in really good shape. The tournament is double-elimination and it gets tiring. If you keep advancing, you’re playing all day.”

The Leisie Open continues to go on strong, with no sign of ending anytime soon.

“It takes a lot of effort from a lot of people to continue the Leisie Open,” Jim Walsh said. “It’s become tradition and we want to see it keep going. It’s a community event that brings a lot of people together.

“It’s also a fun way to stay active. You want to be in shape to do this and at our ages, this is pretty good motivation. When you’re wrestlers, you never give up that desire to compete. Staying active, coming together ... You can’t beat it.”

Matt Leisie appreciates the history of the event.

“That first one, just a few high school wrestlers going at each other,” he recalled. “Now we’re playing with and against our kids in the same event. This isn’t going to go away.

“Too many people care about it too much.”