Geezers and Gals - Holi-Daze

Submitted by Al Rosati
Ambassador, The Villages, Fl

This was so much fun As you can see by the picture the players really got into the Holi-Daze spirit. This marks the 3rd year for this event and hopefully we'll continue for many more.

Interesting concept that I tried for the 1st time this year. We drew names from two hats and matched partners. It was a more evenly matched format.

Of the 12 teams entered, the winning team of Carol Hoeft and Tom Sosko defeated the runner up team of Sue Greenberg and Bob Wilkinson 14-12.

Other Holi-Daze players included:

Siri Rossman/ Doug Moffatt

Wanda Dorn/ Rick Hoeft

Billy Jean Montalbano/ Randy Lilly

Sharon Baller/ John Dragotta

Diane Cupples/ Vic Slider

Gena Lilly/ Jim Magee

Jan Cervi/ George Odom

Pam Nettlebeck/ Oliver Welch

Chris Leedy/ Chuck Dorn

Caryn Krisha/ Tom Kuck

Pickleball players assist Toy for Tots campaign
 Saturday, December 17, 2011, The Villages Daily Sun.com

Garf Cooper was well aware that Villages residents go above and beyond when it comes to the season of giving.

A Thursday morning pickleball tournament provided a fresh reminder.

Rather than paying an entry fee, participants in the recent advanced ability level 4.0, 4.5 open tournament, hosted by the Pickleball Community Volunteer Group and The Villages Recreation Department, were asked to donate a new, unwrapped toy for the Marine Corps League’s annual holiday effort.

Thanks to players’ generosity, 74 shiny new toys were added to the Toys for Tots collection. 

READ MORE

Waccamaw Sports Classic - Conway, SC

GEORGETOWN -   Pickleball  at the 4th Annual Waccamaw Sports Classic will be held Friday, April 20, 2012 at 10 a.m. at Coastal Carolina University.

Modeled after the Olympic Games, the Classic enables those who are 50, and BETTER, to come together for a day of recreational and competitive sporting competitions.

The Classic is a partnership between the Georgetown, Horry and Williamsburg County Parks and Recreation Departments, Myrtle Beach Recreation Department, Coastal Carolina University Waccamaw Area Agency on Aging and Georgetown, Horry and Williamsburg Councils on Aging.

Here are the medal winners from last year's event!!

For more information on the pickleball event, contact
USAPA Ambassador, Rena Grant
843-294-2315

Bonita Bay Celebrates New Courts

The Bonita Bay Pickleball Club has grown significantly and today they share their story, celebrate with a ribbon cutting ceremony and then enjoy their brand new courts!! 

Scott Green Tournament, Plantation Pickleball

The Scott Green Tournament took place at the courts of the Plantation Community in Leesburg, Florida on November 16th and 17th. The videos below are from that event.

Our congratulations to all the winners.  Click Here to see  the Results!

Registration Open for Charlotte County Games

It is time to register for the 12th Annual Charlotte County “Fit for Life” Senior Games sponsored by Charlotte County Community Services.

 Please see attached registration information packet and registration form. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your games coordinator, Brittany Rainey at 941.627.1074. Thank you! See you in March!

Senior Games Information Packet

Registration Form


Brittany Rainey
Recreation Specialist
Community Services
941.627.1074
http://www.charlottecountyfl.com/
“Open for Business”

Pickleball bouncing into mainstream
myhometownnews.net December, 9, 2010

DAYTONA BEACH SHORES - The "tink" of wooden paddles on a bright-orange wiffle ball was unmistakable one recent Friday morning over on court nine at this city's public-access Oceans Racquet Club.

There's more of it going on over at McElroy Park. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning.

It's those pickleballers again.
"My wife, she teaches Zumba, and she calls it 'exercise in disguise,'" said 67-year-old Peter Mitchell of Port Orange between games. "This is exercise in disguise. The tennis players, they might roll their eyes, but the name of this place is racquet club. The sign didn't say tennis club."
The atmosphere isn't hostile at all, though. By all accounts, pickleball, while perhaps garnering scoffs from serious athletes of more established racquet sports, isn't a walk in the park. Played with a wooden paddle and wiffle ball on a concrete badminton court divided by a tennis net, pickleball melds the rules of all those games, with a pace and breadth that isn't quite as taxing as tennis.

READ STORY

Highland Lakes - Pickleball and Pizza Party

The players at Highland Lakes in Leesburg, Fl held their traditional Pickleball Pizza Party on December 5th, and if you check out the complete story on their pickleball website, you'll see that it was a great success.

Lots of Pizza, lots of Pickleball, new players and lots of fun and laughter.

The committee (Manny and Marie Cardoza, Don Gullakson and Harry Yorgensen) sends to one and all wishes for a  "very  Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year" and wants to express their thanks to everyone who donated to the Relay for Life Cancer Research.   READ MORE.....

2011 Florida Senior and International Games

Following a five year run in Southwest Florida, the 2011-2012 Florida International Senior Games and State Championships were held in Central Florida’s Polk County. This year, the Pickleball competition was held at the Kelly Recreation Center in Lakeland Florida from December 3-5.  This will mark the 20th Anniversary of the State Championships, which started in 1992.

This was a double elimination event, best two out of three games. 3. Games were played to 11 points, but continue until one player or team achievesda two-point margin.   Teams and players were not seeded. Brackets  were  determined by a random draw.

Fourth place ribbons were be awarded in addition to Gold, Silver and Bronze medals for Florida residents.  Gold, Silver and Bronze medals were  awarded to top overall athletes.

 Pickleball had 162 competitors at the Kelly Recreation Center, the largest participation of any event in the State Games!!!

Singles Competition was held on Monday, December, 5th. 

CLICK HERE for RESULTS

CLICK HERE to check out the complete PHOTO GALLERY

Picklers Persistant to Play on Hilton Head Island

"Generally I see only positive news in the newsletter, not patience trying news. But who knows, perhaps it is time to discuss some of that too.

Some time ago I sent late breaking news that we had permission to paint pickleball lines on tennis courts here on Hilton Head Island. The very next day I went to Lowes and asked them to spec some paint that would be compatible with the tennis court surface. They immediately refused and advised me to go to the county to get the paint specs. I went to the Hilton Head Island Recreation Center who works closely with Beaufort County and they graciously gave me a five gallon bucket of paint that they use for striping various courts on the island.

I no sooner put the bucket of paint in my garage when I received a phone call from the director of the HIlton Head Island Recreation's' director, Frank Soule, that I should hold off on painting the lines because he needed to re-confirm with the county that it was OK to paint the lines on the tennis courts. This of course was a very time consuming process with the ultimate decision being negative.

We appealed the decision to Joe Penale of Beaufort County Parks and Leisure and asked him to meet with us at the courts. He agreed and made an appointment for a Monday at 9:00 a.m. That appointment was subsequently canceled and rescheduled for the following Wednesday. He never showed up. Later, he sent an e-mail saying he was called out of town and couldn't make the meeting. He went on to say that the Beaufort County Parks and Recreation Board had determined that they did not want pickleball lines painted on the tennis courts, but we were free to paint lines on the basketball court and suggested that we could get two pickleball courts on the basketball court. The basketball court is an elementary school size court and will only allow one pickleball court size-wise. Additionally, the court is in poor condition with deep cracks and a 4 inch drop off at the edges. Further, there is no fence to hinder errant balls from rolling into the brush and players must shinny over a 4 X 4 barrier to get the balls. Though we use this court in conjunction with the other two tennis courts with chalked lines on all three courts and a portable USAPA net on the basketball court, this situation is less than acceptable.

So, we continue to appeal the decision to the Beaufort County Board and we are working on other avenues to get pickleball accepted in the community. We plan to send an e-mail to the Island Packet Newspaper to see if they will do a brief introductory article on pickleball and make it known that we have over 100 e-mail addresses for our pickleball roster and approximately 15-22 people showing up every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10:00 a.m. to play pickleball. We are not going away!"


Don Wheeler, Ambassador
Hilton Head Island, SC

Pickleball comes to tennis center
LaGrangeNews.com- November 2012

Cindy Moore, who learned to play the sport in Arizona, is hoping to help the sport become a part of the sporting landscape in LaGrange.

A few weeks ago, with the help of some other pickleball-playing friends, Moore began offering free clinics at the McCluskey Tennis Center.

Moore, a long-time tennis player, said she was hooked from the first time she tried pickleball about six years ago.

“I was a tennis player, and still am,” Moore said. “I’d play tennis, and go play a little pickleball. And then it got to be more pickleball and less tennis. And it’s gotten more and more. It’s just addictive.”

Now, Moore serves as a Georgia ambassador for the US Pickleball Association, and it’s a role she takes seriously as she looks to introduce the sport to as many people as possible.

READ FULL STORY

REMINDER - REGISTRATION DEADLINE DECEMBER 3RD

Hi Pickleball Players,

We would like to let you know that South Florida will be having a New Skill Level Tournament. The "First Annual Riverbend Classic" on December 10th and 11th. Riverbend Motorcoach Resort is the first to build new outdoor Pickleball Courts in the South Florida area.

On Saturday December 10th, Men's Doubles will begin at 10:00am while Women's Doubles will begin at 1:00pm.

Mixed Doubles will be held on Sunday, December 11th with play beginning at 8:30. It is a Double Elimination Tournament, and awards will be given.

For full details about the event, lodging available, along with registration forms CLICK HERE.

Come and have a great day of Pickelball, meet new people, and enjoy Riverbend.

Deadline for entry is December 3rd, don't miss out on this new event! Any questions or need a partner, please call.

Sincerely,

Tournament Directors

Nancy Meyer

Cindy Eddleman

Pickleball group donates Thanksgiving meal certificates to St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry
TheVllagesDailySun.com, November 19,2011



THE VILLAGES — While the Good Guys Pickleball Group enjoys a healthy dose of competitive spirit on the court, on Thursday morning they put down their paddles for a moment to showcase their giving spirit.

Clockwise from bottom left: Villagers Oliver Welch, Arnie Nelson, Monica Chang-Hunt and Dave Gee look over the 21 Publix Holiday Dinner certificates they presented to St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church Food Pantry representatives Ruth Mazurski and Terri Schleich. 

Sun City Veterans Day Tournament Raises Over $5,000

The first ever Sun City Carolina Lakes (SCCL) Veterans Day pickleball tournament was a big hit for target charity, Columbia, SC based, Hidden Wounds (http://hiddenwounds.org/). Over $5,000 was raised as donations poured in throughout the two day event

Players from all over North and South Carolina and as far away as Georgia came to attend. Participants in both doubles and mixed doubles were treated to cool morning temperatures but sunny skies and lots of competitive play. SCCL residents and local sponsors provided snacks, drinks, and lunch to players during tournament hours. Resident hosts served as court officials, provided golf cart transportation, and even housing to visiting players. A Friday night banquet featured wine and pasta along with live music, dancing, sing-alongs, and even an appearance by Sun City Hilton Head’s famous dancing pickle!

Tournament director and USAPA ambassador, Frank Kinder presented a $5,000 dollar check, along with a plaque and tee shirt commemorating the event to Hidden Wounds co-founder and director, Chris Younts, during the banquet on behalf of the SCCL club. Frank passed along his gratitude for all of the wonderful sponsors and the many volunteers who made the tournament such a spectacular event.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS NOW APPROACHING FOR THE 2011 FLORIDA SENIOR GAMES PICKLEBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS!! REGISTRATION DEADLINE NOVEMBER 20, 2011

Come out and compete at the 2011 Florida Senior Games Pickleball State Championships on December 3 - 5, 2011 at Kelly Recreation Center in Lakeland. Get ahead of the game by registering online at www.flasports.com.

**Matches will be held outdoors on modified tennis courts, using indoor/outdoor balls**

REGISTER TODAY BEFORE THE DEADLINE BY CLICKING ON THE LINK BELOW!

REGISTER HERE!!

Click the link below to book your room today or call Global JBS Destination Solutions toll-free at 866-922-0020. Don't miss out on these incredibly low rates reserved just for you!

2011 SENIOR GAMES HOTEL LISTINGS

______________________________________________________________________________________________

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Florida Sports Foundation toll-free at 866-FLGAMES (866-354-2637) or games@flasports.com

 We look forward to seeing you at the Games!

Florida Sports Foundation

2930 Kerry Forest Parkway, Suite 101

Tallahassee, Florida 32309

Toll-free: 866-354-2637

Local: 850-488-8347

Email:games@flasports.com

http://www.flasports.com/

YOU ARE INVITED

PICKLEBALLTOURNAMENT

Doubles

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

 

Singles and Mixed

Wednesday,March 7, 2012

 

Solivita, Poinciana, Florida

For Men and Women 50 Years and Over

 

EventManager – Mike Holtzclaw

Call or email NOW to request an entry booklet that will be mailed the first week of January 2012

863-533-0055

polkseniorgames@verizon.net

Registration deadline is February 8

SCCL Pickleball Club Donates Nets to Indian Land School

Submitted by  Frank Kinder
Ambassador, Indian Land, SC


The Sun City Carolina Lakes (SCCL) Pickleball Club in Indian Land, SC not only taught pickleball to Indian Middle School (ILMS) students, they also donated two portable nets to help jump start the program. USAPA member Luis Lopez organized the event held the last week in October.

Several members of the SCCL Club worked with students during daily physical education classes. The USAPA nets were purchased by the Club and donated during a presentation ceremony following the week long event. Pictured below are Luis and USAPA ambassador Frank Kinder presenting the new nets to ILMS Principal David McDonald, along with Physical Education teachers Jessica Hardy and Kevin Mager, as students patiently stand by.

Greensboro Sportsplex Offers Pickleball and Chair Volleyball for Seniors
http://www.greensboro-nc.gov/   City News/ 11/19/11

Now through December 20, the Greensboro Sportsplex will offer clinics for two non-traditional sports, pickleball and chair volleyball. Clinics will be held on Tuesdays from 9:30-11:30 am for seniors 55 years and over. Sessions are designed for all levels of ability. The game of pickleball is played with a wooden racquet and combines elements of badminton, tennis and table tennis. Chair volleyball is played with a beach ball and a modified volle'yball layout. The clinics are free of charge and pre-registration is not required.

Click Here for Greensboro Sportsplex location and contact information

2011 USAPA National Pickleball Tournament Comes to Phoenix

PRWEB.com -  November 2, 2011

The USA Pickleball Association (USAPA) is pleased to present the 2011 USAPA National Pickleball Tournament in Buckeye Arizona with play November 6-14th. With its unique name, pickleball is rapidly growing into an international sport for players of all ages.

Over 420 pickleball players will be participating in this year’s National Pickleball Tournament from 31 states and provinces. Events include singles, doubles, and mixed doubles in open, senior, adult, young adult and junior divisions.

Summer Pickleball in Franklin, NC

The Franklin, NC, Pickleball Group has enjoyed their newly resurfaced courts at our Recreation Park over the summer. With the cooler months rapidly approaching, and our summer folks returning to warmer climes, we are headed indoors to the Armory. At the National Guard Armory (active NG Armory) we have 3 courts for indoor play. About 25 of us got together at a local Mexican Restaurant to "say good-bye" to our summer folks and it was wonderful!

We will be playing until mid-December when we break for the holidays and then resume after the New Year. Visitors are always welcome. They can contact us for play details if they will be in the area.

Click here for  photos of the resurfaced courts and our Pickleball Players enjoying the last of the outside play!

Beginner Clinics in Aiken........

Submitted by
Loretta Beckner
Ambassador, Aiken, SC

I just finished giving my first beginner's pickleball class today.

We met for four consecutive Mondays, an hour each time, followed by an

hour of open practice time. I ended up with nine students, so two of

our regular pickleball players helped me out. It was a lot of fun and

we generated good enthusiasm. All of the players caught on so well

and I believe all of them will become regulars at our pickleball

sessions.

We now have a court designated just for beginners at Odell Weeks.

Whenever there are two or more beginners, they can use the court to

practice and/or play. When they feel comfortable to play with the

more advanced players, they are welcome to do so.

I'm sending along a photo taken at today's class:

From left to right:

Susan Andrew, Loretta Beckner, Paul Baltzell, Bobby Starks, Marsha

Isenhour, Jean Fishel and Sherry Moor. (Missing from photo are Sherry

Baltzell, Sue Stutman, and Wendy Hilliard).

I'm hoping to give more classes in the first of the year....I think it

will really help grow the sport here in Aiken.

North Georgia Pickleball Club- Halloween Benefit Tournament

Pickleball tournaments hosted and directed by Tom and Ann Earley and the North Georgia Pickleball Club are known to be some of the very best in the ASR, and this year's Halloween Pickleball Benefit Tournament, held on Saturday and Sunday, October 29th and 30th,  was no exception.

Participants received the crimson long-sleeved tournament t-shirts, breakfast pastry,fruit, and juice, and a hearty three soup lunch with hot, fresh bread (made by Tom Earley each morning).  The award winners received truffles made by local chocolatier: LynnWingfield's "Chocolate Fix".

According to Ann at the end of day one,  it was a .."Great day for Pickleball - if we could have eliminated the wind factor!"  Today's Pickleball teams came from Lake Arrowhead (Lana Chadwick,Bill and Carol Hess), Chattanooga, TN (Dennis Hart, Kirstin Beasley),Woodstock, Canton, Marietta, Dallas, and Acworth.

Day one winners were .. the"Ghosts" (Buzz Ahrens and David Barron) defeating the winners of the"Goblins" (Floyd Moody and Bill Whatley). Presenting the Halloween pumpkin shaped platter filled with "Chocolate Fix" truffles to David and Buzz is Tom Earley." (pictured below)

"There was a presentation of $500.00 from the tournament players and the North Georgia Pickleball Club to Ottis Moore of the Cherokee County Humane Society. Another contribution was made to the Air Warriors Jr. ROTC of Teasley Middle School. The Air Warriors gave a rifle presentation and  led the grand  Opening Ceremony with their flag corp. Tenor Ken Terrell sang the National Anthem and the games began."


The tournament continued on day two with the Vampires!"What a perfect day for Pickleball! We had our 4.0-4.5 skill level"Vampires" play with the finals between Tom Earley (Canton, GA)/Milton Myers (Lawrenceville, GA) vs Jeff Hudson and John Wilson (Opelika, Alabama). The winners (pictured below) were Jeff Hudson (in the white shirt/navy sweatpants) and John Wilson (the other one - navy shirt and sweatpants). Last year they only brought one team and this year they returned with two. Great players, great athletes, and all-round great
sports to drive 4+ hours for a bag of "treats"!

 

"Most Improved team won yodeling pickles - Jimmy Williamson and Dan Ross
(Marietta, GA)    ....."Bocce, the official Atlantic South Region Pickleball Mascot, was in attendance during the tournament as line judge.  He was also quite impressed (as you can see below) by the winners of the "most improved" on Sunday (4.0-4,5 skill level).       Or did he actually want their yodeling pickle ?

 The pottery pickle bowl "Good Sport" award went to Jason
and Buzz Ahrens. We had two teams of father/son - Steve (Marietta, GA) and
Mark Morneau (Michigan) and Buzz and Jason Ahrens (Canton, GA).

We had two teams of father/son - Steve (Marietta, GA) and

Mark Morneau (Michigan) and Buzz and Jason Ahrens (Canton, GA).

And finally - pictured below , with THREE generations of Pickleball Players is the Morneau family.  Pickleball players - Michigan resident Steve Morneau (white shirt), Jane and Mark Morneau, parents of Jensen (3) and Tanner (5).  Pickleball certainly is a game for the whole family - no matter what your age may be!!

A special thank you to everyone who helped Tom and Ann make this tournament a success!
Mark and Kate Perrie (Arizona) -  Court Preparation, covering the courts, taping the edges and aligning "drainage" boards.
David Barron -   Helping to tap re-tape the courts and for the supply of  water for the tournament.
Lana Chadwick, Don and Regina Lucas - Additional Humane Society contributions.
Kee Kai Ruckstal who brought a platter of fudge and a mound of biscotti from
Tennessee!
Jenn and Dawn Barron who shuttled ice to the giant cooler with water on the tournament days. Another great Pickleball family who recently moved to Georgia from Arizona!
Canton Holiday Inn Express for accommodations for our Tennessee and Alabama players.
Lynn Wingfield/"Chocolate Fix" for the Awards.
Carole and Bill Hess who monitored the score sheet, helped serve lunch, orchestrated clean up, and generally made themselves available
throughout the tournament.

"With such wonderful friends and players, holding a tournament
has been very easy!"  Ann Earley

CLICK HERE for our photo gallery and for all the pictures from the tournament

This event is held at the four outdoor courts at Kings Point in Sun City Center, Fl.

More information and registration information will be available around November 15th at www.gotpickleball.com

An invitation to play at the Phillips Center...

Earl Cunningham
Ambassador, Gastonia, NC

"We had 7 players from Billy Shirley's Pickleball league show up to play the Phillips Center team today.


Everyone was pleased with the set up thanks to the Center supervisors Tremayne Stephens and Skip Youngblood.

The Gastonia Phillips Center has recently added 3 indoor pickleball courts. Skip Youngblood advised me that they would make the courts available on Wednesdays 6:00pm until 9:00pm through December of this year.

Anyone wishing to play just show up At the Center on Wednesdays. Balls and paddles will be furnished.  Never played pickleball, not a problem, we have players with several years experience that will be glad to show you how. It's much easier to learn and easier to play than tennis. the game is a slowed down KING SIZE version of ping pong.

Phillips Center of Gastonia

2031 Echo Lane

Gastonia, NC 28052

Phone - 704-866-68951

or contact USAPA Ambassador, Earl Cunningham - 704-824-4125

Kings Point Players Proud of Tampa Bay Results!!

Submitted by
Louann Dubendorf
Kings Point Pickleball League

"The games went GREAT!! I got there a little before 7:30 and there were a ton of people already. The folks at the sign in desk did a fantastic job. They had the sign up sheets all set and single elimination brackets all made and ready to be filled in and to go. Because some of the folks were all there and signed in they began some games at about 8:15-8:20.

Breakfast and lunch was provided and the Sun City Center maintenance did just a super job putting up shade coverings all around the courts. They even rolled up the wind screen on the side so folks could easily see the games this year. Tables were set up for folks to eat lunch under shade also.


Best of all they managed to get all games done with by about 5:30. We plan to talk next week about the county possibly doing 2 Pickleball events each year. One in Spring this year. Also seems we will be splitting Womens and Mens doubles in the AM next year so one group will play at Kings Point so Mixed can start earlier. I went around and asked all out of towners their preference: 2 day or split, and they all said 1 day event to save $$$."

Congrats to our winners:

Ladies Doubles

50-54 GOLD - DIANE BARNES/JANE MAYHEW

55-59 BRONZE - NADINE POWERS/LOUANN DUBENDORF

65-69 SILVER - SHARLENE PETER/KAREN SELLERS (SCC)

70-74 SILVER - CONNIE KEHL/YUKO VETSCH

Men's Doubles

55-59 SILVER - TOM CUTHBERTSON/WALT KUEHN

65-69 SILVER - COLIN MEERTENS/LARRY CABERA

Mixed Doubles

50-54 GOLD - DIANE BARNES/WALT KUEHN

60-64 - SILVER - JANE MAYHEW/LEWIS LANGE

65-69 SILVER - NADINE POWERS/IRV SANDERS

Also sharing the winners circle today was Ft. Myers Ambassador, Nancy Meyer, pictured above with her doubles partner Jan Konn, and mixed doubles parter Bob Welter.

Jacksonville Senior Games Results

The 2011 Forever Fit 50 & Beyond Senior Games took place on  Friday October 7, 2011 at the Cecil Gym and Fitness Center in Jacksonville, Fl

Congratulations to all the Medal Winners!!

2011 Senior Games

Pickleball Results

SINGLES

55-59 – Female

1st Place (Gold) Gwen Iyobe

2nd Place (Silver) Karen Neider Dupius

60-64 - Male

1st Place (Gold) Tim Katchen

2nd Place (Silver) Wayne Richardson

3rd Place (Bronze) Larry Myers

65-69 – Male

1st Place (Gold) Michael Piccolo

2nd Place (Silver) Bert Williams

3rd Place (Bronze) John Foard

70-74 – Male

1st Place (Gold) Tim Poplawski

2nd Place (Silver) Ed Janke

3rd Place (Bronze) Jim Abercrombie

DOUBLES

Women’s

1st Place (Gold) Gwen Iyobe

Susan Stevenson

2nd Place (Silver) Pat Sencer

Betty Sweat

  

Men’s

1st Place (Gold) Ed Janke

Tim Poplawski

2nd Place (Silver) Tim Katchen

George Catalano

3rd Place (Bronze) John Foard

Wayne Richardson

NOTICE - START TIMES change for Halloween Tournament in N. Georgia

Ann Earley and the North Georgia Pickleball Club asked that we let everyone know of a "small" program change for the start times at  Halloween Pickleball Tournament this coming weekend in Canton, GA.

"Given the cool/cold morning temperatures predicted and then
distance many of the players must travel (including those from Nashville,
Tellico Village, and Opelika - about four hours away!), we will begin at
9:30 a.m. for "warm-up" and registration.   At 9:45 a.m. we will have the
draw for court time, and immediately have our grand "Opening Ceremony".

You won't want to miss the Opening Ceremony- which will be professionally videotaped and hopefully available here on our website in the coming weeks. So check back in ................. 

Coffee, orange juice, scones, and fresh fruit will be availabe in the morning and lunch between 11:30 and 1:00 pm for all the players.
 Even if you are not playing you are welcome to come enjoy the event.  There is lots of room on comfortable benches courtside.
 
Thanks yesterday to Lana Chadwick, Jon Pyles, Ken Riordon, Ken Terrell,David Barron,Carole Hess, Judy Vonesh, Bill Whatley, Tom Earley, and Ann
Earley  for their work on the courts to clean and retape the lines for the
tournament.

Let the games begin!

"PLAY WITH THE MEDALISTS"

Fun, social and valuable experience!
(Event open to The Villages Residents ONLY)

Question: How often do Advanced Beginner and Intermediate players have an opportunity to to test their skills against some of the Top Medal winning pickleball players in the Country?

Answer: Not often; however, thanks to the Pickleball Community Volunteer Group (PCVG) efforts, a PLAY WITH THE MEDALISTS Clinic has been scheduled for November 3rd (Thursday) from 1-3 PM, at the Pimlico Recreation Center.

Many of the Top ranked Villagers -- those who have proven their skills in State, Regional and National tournaments (they have collectively won hundreds of medals), will be volunteering their time so that participants in this Clinic will be able to play with and against them.

To do: Come on out and play, or simply observe. If you choose to play, bring your "A" game, and have fun hitting with the Medalists as they share winning tips with you.

This is open to male and female 2.5, 3.0 and 3.5 players ( make sure you have either completed a Self-RATING FORM or been RATED at a Rating Clinic).


NOTE: registration is limited and is on a first come first serve basis.

Halloween Tournament at Capacity - Come and Watch, Come and Support a Good Cause

A message from the North Georgia Pickleball Club's Halloween Tournament!!

"We have reached our maximum entries for both days of our upcoming
Halloween tournament on the 29th and 30th! We have had full entries for
about a week, but wanted to alert those who have not sent in their money to
confirm.

 It should be a great tournament and I'm excited about the folks
coming from all around the southeast region. With some hot Sunday
competition, we expect an audience as well.

If anyone would like to simply come to watch, perhaps pay the entry fee for a t-shirt and lunch as well,they are welcome. We have bench seats for at least 40 good seats! With a hill over the north end of the courts, it is quite a view!

The tournament begins both days at 8 a.m. with "opening ceremonies".......a new surprise in our program inspired by the Palm Creek PB Club tournament.

Thanks for posting this information............

Ann Earley - North Georgia Pickleball Club

Girl Talk Plays Pickleball - Video - WXII The Triad

Girl Talk is a featured program on WWII, the NBC affiliate in Winson Salem, NC.

Ambassador, Laura Patterson is interviewd by the Host of Girl Talk, along with her pickleball friends at the Winston Salem YMCA 

CLICK and ENJOY

Girl Talk Plays Pickleball - Video - WXII The Triad

Update from Florida's Space Coast

Scott Nelson, Ambassador, Space Coast, Fl

Here are some pics from the Viera Recreation Center and Satellite Recreation center.

It was a little bit of challenge trying to convince the director to give us time to play a silly game called Pickleball.

We had such a good response the first two weeks that we had to get a third net to accommodate all the players.

I think that they know that we are here to stay….

Health First is also now open for Pickleball play. We had our first clinics , with a great turn out. With the help of  Dave and Deb Christian  we ran successful beginner and intermediate clinics.  It is a semi private facility so no pictures are allowed to be taken.

Great News - Pickleball added to NSGA Summer Games

A message from Nancy Jordan
(and a special Thank You to Chris Thomas, Regional Ambassador,Western Region and his group for their help in making this happen)


"I had two different NSGA staff confirm ( while I was in Rochester NY for the Winter Games) that I could announce that pickleball has been added to the 2013 NSGA summer games in Cleveland, OH as a regular sport not a demonstration sport.


Qualifications will take place from Jan 1 to Dec 31, 2012. They will take the first four places in each event. No skill level events only age groupings. Players must qualify at a designated affiliate of NSGA.  In most cases, it is the state senior olympics event.


You must be 50 or more in 2012 to qualify for these games.We will put out more info as it becomes available."

Thx
Nancy Jordan

An Update from Myrtle Beach, SC

Submitted by:
Rena Grant, Ambassador
Myrtle Beach, SC

The Seniors at Prince Creek West area are still going strong since our clinic on September 8, 2011. Carol and Tom Gray have painted two courts in a parking lot and they play twice a week. I loaned them my paddles and net to get started and now they have ordered one net and four paddles. Carol and Tom are doing a fabulous job promoting Pickleball. Carol is becoming a member of USAPA.  Seasons at Prince Creek West in Murrells Inlet, SC has been added to our places to play.

The evening clinics at Crabtree on September 12th,16th and 26th went very well. I am very grateful to Rich and Diane Skrovan, Carol Gray and Pat Mills who came to help with those clinics. We picked up a few new members and lots of enthusiasm for the game of Pickleball.  This is a photo from our first night. 

On September 16, 2011, North Myrtle Beach Pickleball players came to Crabtree Gym for a tournament and we had some real good matches and fun was had by all. A big thank you to Richard Brown for setting up the tournament. He did a great job. Thanks also to Fay Mills for planning the refreshments. Thanks to Diane and Rich Skrovan who were a big help and also took photos of the day and of the winners.

 All of our players from Crabtree prepared a nice lunch which everyone enjoyed. Thanks to all who took part in a truly fun day.

Winners:

Dan Sturzenbecker and Debby Rea

Gary Skinner and Trish Snyder

Tommy Bray and Fran Jenkins

Others who attended:

Jerry Eamer and Lori Schommer

Adam Schroeder and Pat Rider

The Conway Recreation Center opened on September 1, 2011. David Williams, whom I’ve been working with for some time to get his Pickleball program started, invited Rich Skrovan and I for a tour. “Wow” what a huge center. They have 2 full size basketball courts, a 1/10th mile track over that, an Olympic size swimming pool and every workout piece of equipment you would want. Although he has put 3 Pickleball courts in already, he is willing to put in as many as needed. He has room for 6. He ordered USAPA nets and paddles.

 

Thank you to Rich and Diane Skrovan who helped me hold a clinic there on September 19th. We had 10 people attend. David is so eager to get Pickleball going that it makes me want to help him as much as I can. Right now Pickleball is played on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10am to Noon. If the interest is there the courts will be available 7 days a week. I will be going there on Fridays to teach newcomers till we find someone to take over. Although I will be driving 30 miles each way in order to help him, David is so eager to get Pickleball going that it makes me want to help him as much as I can.  We have also added the Conway Recreation Center, in Conway, SC to our places to play too.