Florida Pickleball Club Participates in Annual "Hi Neighbor" Event

Hi Neighbor! ushers in busy season in SCC
By LAURA CONE THE SUN
Published: November 4, 2009

It would not be November in Sun City Center without pumpkins, sweater weather - and the annual Hi Neighbor! event.

John Bowker, director of the Sun City Center Information Center, said representatives from more than 95 clubs and organizations have signed up to participate in this year's showcase of the community set for Nov. 5 from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

Bowker, who has hosted the SCC Community Association-sponsored event for the past 15 years, expects more than 500 people to attend Hi Neighbor! at Community Hall.

He sent out 327 letters of invitation to people who have arrived in Sun City Center since the last Hi Neighbor! in November 2008. The event is open to everyone living in SCC............
....

Sun City Center Pickleball was one of those clubs that participated in this event. Below is a message from Mike Perkins, the Club's President.

"Our "Hi Neighbor" event went fairly smoothly last night. There was a problem getting power to our table, but after that was resolved, people enjoyed viewing the USAPA dvd. Due to the limitations of our set-up, it was difficult to display the banner, as the heighth of the table was a little low. We did the best that we could, and I've attached a photo of our table with the banner and four members of our Club: (left to right) Mike Perkins, Bill Smith, Janet Smith and Wayne Chattin. The event was very well attended, so we informed many new, prospective members about pickleball. Everyone seemed to enjoy talking with us and asking questions about our sport. The USAPA video provided a great visual support, and lots of attendees held the display paddles and balls and seemed eager to give pickleball a try. "

Here's a link to the SCC Pickleball Club's website: SCC Picleball

Jacksonville, Fl Senior Games

The Jacksonville Senior Games were held on October 9th at the Cecil Gym and Fittness Center, on Lake Newman Street in Jacksonville, Fl.

Senior Games Director Mary Ferrell tells us, "This was our third year for Pickleball and it does grow each year. I am the director of the entire Jacksonville Senior Games; each sport had an Event Director who was responsible for coordinating that sport. The Pickleball Event Director contacted us and told us he had been involved in pickleball in Seattle and was friends with the guy who invented it. He is very passionate about pickleball".

Pickleball is still in its infancy in the Jacksonville area. The only place listed for pickleball is Sweetwater at Del Webb, where less than 20 players enjoy the sport. But despite the lack of places to play, participation in this event increased nearly 31% over last year. and this year they continued to welcome and accept walk-ups to the event. Pickleball was played as a double elimination event, and is a qualifier for the 2010 National Senior Games, Winter Festival to be held in Rochester, NY.

Entry into the games included Opening Ceremonies, a T-shirt, a welcome bag full of product samples and coupons, a follow up newsletter and most importantly, "a chance to renew friendships or start new ones".

Congratulations to all medal winenrs!!! Click Here for a complete lising of tournament winners.

Comments on USAPA National Pickleball Tournament

As posted on Mary Littlewood and Sandra Stultz Blog Pickleball Success
Oct 29th 2009

The first national tournament sponsored by the USA Pickleblall Association is being held in Buckeye, Arizona, November 2 to 8, 2009. One day in the future, this will be an historical event! It establishes the importance of the USAPA as being our national governing body and gives meaning to being a member. Only current members of the USAPA can compete in this tournament. There are a total of 701 entries in five different divisions - junior; young adult; adult; senior and open. The number of entries in the senior and open divisions indicate the escalating interest among the 50 and older pickleball players in this country. This tournament is a major “feather in the cap” of the USAPA!! The direction of pickleball in this country is up, up and up thanks to the many volunteers in the USAPA!

Makes you proud to be a member!

The Villages is Pickleball Paradise

as posted 10/30/09 - The Villages Florida Book

The Villages, boasting more than 100 pickleball courts, has been called the Mecca of Pickleball and was named the #1 Place to Live for Pickleball by Masters Athlete Magazine. Leagues, tournament and recreational players of all skill levels occupy the community’s courts year-round.

..................The USA Pickleball Association hosts tournaments and governs the game. Villagers recently competed in pickleball at the 29th Annual Tampa Bay Senior Games and at their own Senior Games.

Pickleball clinics are held regularly in The Villages and the community has several pickleball clubs, and certified instructors.

Click Here for complete article and pickleball video............Pickleball Paradise

A Great Article from The Villages - on Injury Prevention

Common sports injuries can be avoided with a little planning

By CAROLINE KLAPPER, DAILY SUN

Tuesday, October 27, 2009 12:13 AM EDT

THE VILLAGES — Retirement is the time when people finally have the chance to do the things they love, which for many, includes playing sports.

And while playing a sport can be a fun, healthy way for people to enjoy themselves, it also can lead to painful injuries if people forget to take things slowly and listen to their bodies.

According to Dr. Isaac L. Mitchell, an orthopaedic surgeon with Tri-County Orthopaedic Center, in this area, sports injuries are particularly prevalent among people who live part-time in the North, where they are less active.

When they return to Florida, their activity levels often increase dramatically.

Read the Entire Article - Common Sports Injuries

Tampa Bay Senior Games

The 29th Annual Tampa Bay Senior Games commenced on October 5th. The Pickleball event took place on Wednesday the 6th at the Sun City Center,Fl courts. Like many of the Senior Events, these games were sanctioned by the Florida Sports Foundation.

Click on picture to enlarge, use back arrow to return to this page

Tournament Director Paula Jory (bottom right in photo) and her staff from the Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation - continue to make sure these games are well organized and lots of fun. A special Thank You to the Sun City Center Pickleball Club for the use of their courts, and for the free morning coffee, donuts and sweet rolls for the players. This year the registration fee for pickelball players included free bottled water throughout the day, along with a Cuban Sandwiches, Chips and Soda lunch for all the players. Parks and Rec staff and Sun City Center players acted as court monitors for the games and did a great job.

Click on picture to enlarge - use back arrow to return to this page

Here are just a few pictures of players enjoying the day, enjoying meeting new pickleball friends and enjoying the competition. This was a single elimination event with doubles and mixed doubles play.

Player participation was up from last year, but only by about 3 players. While the players have a great time, the level of competition improves more and more each year.
With the exception of the State Games held in December, the Tampa Bay Games attract players from counties from both Central and South West Floridal. This year players participated from

Sun City including Kings Point, The Villages, Wesley Chapel, N. Ft. Myers, Leesburg, including Plantation, Spruce Creek in Summerfield, Bradenton, Solivita in Poincianne, Citrus Hill and Island Common Center and Sebring.

See you all at the State Games in December!

Click Here to see all of the pictures of from the games.

Click Here for tournament winners.

Registration now Open for Florida State Games

2009 Florida Senior Games State Championships

Lee County and the City of Cape Coral
December 5-13, 2009

Pickleball Event -

December 5th and 6th

Rutenburg Community Park

6500 South Pointe Blvd

Ft. Myers, Fl 33919

ONLINE REGISTRATION IS NOW AVAILABLE for those athletes wishing to register online and pay fees with a credit or debit card. CLICK HERE to go to the Online Registration page and pay with a credit or debit card.

CLICK HERE To print forms, fill them out and mail back to the Florida Sports Foundation office along with a check for fee payment, click the links on the bottom of the page to find information about each sport and forms in Adobe Reader pdf format

CLICK HERE for housing information and a listing of hotels in the Ft. Myers area for the 2009 State Games

Another New Place to Play!!!

Pickleball : Your New Favorite Hobby!
as reported on www.GoLocalTampaBay.com


St. Pete Beach, FL: Every Wednesday and Friday morning from 9:00am to 11:00am, interested patrons can come play Pickleball in the St. Pete Beach Community Center’s indoor, air-conditioned gym at 7701 Boca Ciega Drive. Pickleball is a sport similar to badminton and tennis and is fun for people of all ages and skill levels. Come alone or with friends and get involved in a fun new hobby. Call 363-9245 for more information


"So glad - we get calls frequently from pickleball players visiting the St. Pete Beach area!!!"

National Championship Games held in Atlantic South Region

The 2009 National Senior Games Championships and Euflexxa Classic took place from October 1st to 4th in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. While other sporting venues were under way, the pickleball championship games were held at the C B Smith Park in Pembroke Pines, Fl . Players began arriving as early as Tuesday Sept. 29 to the sunshine state from across the country, including New York, New Jersey, Alabama, Louisianna, Tennessee, Texas, Arizona and a few more that I'm sure I've forgotten. A very special "thank you" to David and Nancy Jordan, tournament directors and "hosts extraordinare"!!! Their dedication and great enthusiasm made for one outstanding event!.

Click on pictures to enlarge - use back arrow to return to this page

On Wednesday, Sept. 30th, registration opened at 5:00 pm at the Hyatt Bonaventure in Weston, Fl.- just a short distance from C B Smith Park. From the hotel, players met at the park to begin lining the tennis courts. There were eight courts that needed to be prepared for play the next day. So out came the blue painters tape.............Of course we played a little pickleball - until the park closed at 10:00 pm.

Click on picture to enlarge - use back arrow to return to this page

Everyone arrived early for the opening ceremony as David Jordan welcomed all the players and reviewed the rules of play for the day. Nancy Jordan shared her display of USAPA t-shirts and encouraged USAPA membership to all non-members in attendance. Tom Burkhart, Mid Atlantic Regional Ambassador, introduced his region and spoke of upcoming events and welcomed players to visit his region. Donna Donald, Atlantic South Regional Ambassador, welcomed all the players to the Atlantic South Region and to stay abreast of Atlantic South news here on the ASR Webiste. David introduced Rich Donald as the newest board member as the Ratings Director. "Coach Mo" was in attendace as a tournament spectator - Nancy Jordan and Rich Donald introduced Mo and extended a warm welcome.

Click on picture to enlarge - use back arrow to return to this page
Enjoy a few pictures of our pickleball athletes enjoying the competition of the day!

Click on picture to enlarge - use back arrow to return to this page

On Friday - tournamet play was over by about 4:00 pm - allowing everyone to clean up and meet back at the Hyatt Bonaventure - Pool Side, for the player appreciation dinner. The weather was beautiful - the food was delicious - the company was A plus! An absolutely perfect evening.

Click on picture to enlarge - use back arrow to return to this page.

Enjoy these group photos- Players from Scotia, NY - at registration, group picture of our pickleball athletes, Board members, with Regional and Local Ambassadors and players from The Villages, Fl.

Click on picture to enlarge - use back arrow to return to this page

Championship games for men's and woman's doubles and mixed doubles ended after 10:00 pm on Saturday - so some of our winners had already left for the evening. The above are some of our men's doubles winners.

Click on picture to enlarge - use back arrow to return to this page

And here are some pictures of our woman's doubles and mixed doubles champions.

The singles championships games was the final event held on Sunday morning.

Click this link for the names of our tournament winners. Championship Results
Click this link to view all tournament pictures - or check out the slide show on the right side bar. Championship Photos

Marco Island Introduces Pickleball!

Where?

City of Marco Island Parks and Rec - Racquet Center

1361 Andalusia Terrace

Marco Island, Fl

WHO?

Public Facility - Open to EVERYONE!

If you've never heard of pickleball but want to know what it is - Come Join the Fun

If you are an experienced player - Come Join the Challenge Play

WHEN?

Free instructional classes for Beginners - Every Monday from 9:00 to 10:00 am, at the Racquet Centers Pickleball Court.

Open Challenge Court, Rotating Open Play - Every Wednesday and Friday from 9:00 to 11:30 am

Play is free for pass holders, $15 for non-pass holders.

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

Contact Bill Vanglabek

Racquet Center Supervisor

239-394-5454

bvanglabek@cityofmarcoisland.com

Click here for more information on the City of Marco Island Parks and Recreation