PICKLEBALL - NEWEST AMMENITY AT POPULAR NC RESORT

Rumbling Bald Resort - Lake Lure, NC
by: Carrie Sims - Wellness Center Lead
Rumbling Bald

Rumbling Bald Resort is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. The Resort is situated below the base of the majestic 2,800-foot Bald Mountain on the north end of beautiful Lake Lure.
Rumbling Bald Resort offers a host of activities and services for their members and guests through their Wellness Center, outdoor swimming complex, adventure outings, boat rentals, narrated lake cruises and full service Spa & Salon. The two 18-hole championship courses at the resort continue to receive praise from Golf Digest readers as we have received another 4-star rating for 2009. The Bald Mountain course even offers guests the experience of playing on one of the famed filming sites of Dirty Dancing.

Pickleball was first initiated in August 2008 when a small group of residents showed interested in the sport by taping off lines for Pickleball on the resort’s tennis courts. The residents asked the Wellness Committee, chaired then by Darby Williams, to paint lines on the existing tennis courts. Mr. Williams requested a DVD from the USA Pickleball Association to educate committee members since not everyone had a clear understanding of the sport. As the interest grew, the committee voted to paint the regulation sized lines on one of the tennis courts and the court was ready for its first game in June of 2009.

Pickleball at the resort is mainly due to the enthusiasm and dedication of Don “Smoke” Hickman, a certified Pickleball instructor, who along with Carl Nelson proposed the idea to the Resort Wellness committee. As a USA Pickleball Certified instructor, Smoke has been playing for over five years. The popularity of the game at his seasonal home in Florida prompted him to suggest offering the sport at Rumbling Bald. He and his wife play avidly and he even says “she’s better than I am”.

Recent pickleball lesson group: Row 1: guest, Darby Williams, Nancy K, Diane Ward, guest. Row 2 : Smoke Hickman, guest, Carl Nelson, Dick Nelson, Bill Ward, guest.

A group of eight to twelve energetic players meet weekly for open play matches. On Tuesday and Thursday mornings Smoke gives instruction to first time players and resort guests. Members and guests who have participated in Pickleball say that the addition of the sport has been a great way to stay in shape and meet new people. They all agree that it is simple to learn and is enjoyable for all ages and fitness levels.

The resort promotes Pickleball weekly during the Monday Resort Orientation Session, as well as through its Wellness Center. Being so well received by the members and guests, a Pickleball Social is planned during the month of August to celebrate the sport’s success.

Contact information for the resort is provided below:
Rumbling Bald Resort
112 Mountains Boulevard
Lake Lure, NC 28746
(828) 694-3000
info@rumblingbald.com
http://www.rumblingbald.com/
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