Tom and Ann Earley learned how to play pickleball about five years ago in Palm Creek Golf and RV Resort in Casa Grande. They still enjoy their visits back there to play. They brought the game back to North Georgia immediately and began teaching others., including going to local schools and clubs to draw interest. Alta is very big in the Atlanta area, so they encountered some initial difficulty in getting their tennis friends to join them. Once they got them on the courts, like everyone else, they were hooked on the game.
Like most places the love of the sport quickly grew, and more and more people gathered to enjoy the game. There are two tennis courts that the group uses, which can accomodate four pickleball courts. And the group often enjoys pickleball social events and round robin tournaments for a little competition.
Here is a great picture of some of our Sunday morning PB players - (left to right) Jayson Ahrens, Dan Ross, Buzz Ahrens, and Jon Pyle. R
Here is a recent picture from morning pickleball – “John Zinger in the white shirt, Frank Johnson in the red shirt, and a gallery of turkeys - Bourbon Reds, Narragansett's, and Standard Bronze. BTW - the turkeys were outside the tennis fence. Although they took to the dog Agility Course, they haven't mastered PickleBall!”
Ann recently wrote , “We area starting an organization for our members that come to play with us at our tennis courts weekly. We will call the group the “North Georgia Pickleball Club”. The club has one requirement - all members must join the USAPA - the National organization for PickleBall Players. There are no dues, no elected officers, no age requirements. Everyone enjoys playing Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 9 a.m. and Sundays at 10 a.m. Balls and Paddles are furnished and beginners are welcome. There are approximately 30 members in the organization at this time."
A few days later she followed up with this message: “We are thrilled about this new "club" idea and our players are joining USAPA as their only "requirement". Already I believe about ten players joined since Sunday when we initiated the idea! They also presented us with a $260 gift card to show appreciation in starting the club and furnishing the courts, balls, paddles, instruction, drinks, food, and tournaments for the past 3+ years. For us, it has been a pleasure”.
At last count Tom and Ann increased USAPA membership by 15 during the month of August.!!
Every Fall a tournament of some sort is organized and we are anticipating one this November. Pickleball parties always include a Round Robin. “The last social event was in May - a "Bye George" party/pickleball Round Robin when George and Claire Odom threatened to move to the Villages. By the time they had the party, George and Clair decided to buy the home in the Villages but keep their home here. “ George wasn't leaving after all, but we had a great party!”
Here’s a picture of George that we took recently when we ran into him down in The Villages. George talked with us for a long time about how great pickleball is with the Earlye's.
Tom and Ann welcome new players and people vacationing in the area. Cheryl and Bruce Kosin, despite the threat of rain recently came to learn the game. And after enthusiastically learning the basics of the game from Tom Early they enjoyed watching their “A” players, where they became even more familiar with keeping score and picked up some pointers on strategy and dinking. After that, they were officially “enrolled”. And just recently Dan Munson, who plays at The Villages in Florida, hoping to move into the area stopped to play pickleball while there searching for a home.
Pictured sitting (from left to right) Bocce the Standard Poodle, Ann Earley, Ken Terrell, Pat Dunn, Connie Peichl, Steve Everett, and Buzz Ahrens. First row standing and leaning on the fence: John Zinger, Dale Flores, William Criswell, Bill Whatley, Dick Peichl, and Judy Vonesh. Top Row: Tom Earley, Ken Reardon, Steve Don, and Jimmy Williams.
For more information or if you're in the area, call Tom or Ann Earley 770.401.7355 and they'll get you in the game.
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