Longtime Del Webb Southshore Falls Resident Keeps Neighbors Active  With Pickleball Club



On June 28th, in Residential Real Estate by Press Release, madduxpress.com

APOLLO BEACH - As a former coach, sporting official and physical education teacher in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Dick Dykeman was used to getting people motivated and into shape.

That's why organizing and promoting the Pickleball Club at Del Webb;s Southshore Falls community in Apollo Beach is a natural fit for him.

"I like to stay active and I try to encourage other people to get healthy and stay fit," says Dykeman...... READ MORE

Marcus JCC - Atlanta - Join the Competition!

My name is Shanna Levy and I run the Pickle Ball League at the MJCCA in Dunwoody Georgia.

We have 4 indoor Pickle Ball Courts and an average of 30 players that play 2-3 times per week.

On Sunday, August 19th we will be hosting a Round Robin Pickle Ball Tournament and wanted to invite your club to play. We are now accepting registration for the MJCCA Pickle Ball Tournament. The online registration link is below and  paper registration forms are available by request.

Online Registration Link: atlantajcc.org click on the adult tab and then the mature adult tab to access the form.

Please let me know if you have any questions about this tournament. We are looking forward to a great turn out and hope some of your players will participate.

If you have additional questions I can be reached at 678-812-4079 or shanna.levy@atalntajcc.org

Tanglewood Tournament

ATLANTIC SOUTH BRINGS HOME 19 MEDALS

Nineteen players from the Atlantic South Region participated in the Mid South Regional Tournament in Mandeville, Louisiana.  The USAPA Tier 3 Sanctioned Tournament  played July 13-15 on 16 indoor air-conditioned  courts at the Castine Center in Pelican Park.   Round Robin format within age-division.

On Thursday evening before the tournament all players were invited to a "social" at the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Covington, LA, where everyone received their tournament bags and t-shirts, enjoyed an excellent meal and refreshments and had the opportunity to win an large array of door prizes.

Arriving from Alabama:  Bob Huskey (Opelika) - Ambassador for Lee County,  Jerry and Virginia Corker - Joint Ambassadors from Mobile,  Karen McConico and Amy Dodd, both from Spring Hill College in Mobile.

Representing the State of Florida: Rich Donald - Tampa Ambassador and Donna Donald, Atlantic South Regional Director,  Byron and Marsha Freso- newly appointed Ambassadors for Wimauma, Fl, Cindy Eddleman and Nancy Meyer, Southwest Florida Ambassadors/Ft. Myers, Gary and Cathy Miller, Poinciana, Fl,  Kandy Aker and Mark Stemerman- The Villages Florida.

And  Gary Ball (pictured center below with his wife Donna) insisted that he is still a Floridian (Sun City Center), but currently resides in Michigan..... so I had to include him!

Arriving from the state of Georgia - Dena and Bill Whatley- Dallas, GA,  Janice and Ken Riordon, Woodstock, GA and Pat and Steven Dunn, Cartersville, GA

And Paul Coletta representing Flat Rock, North Carolina

Atlantic South Region Medal Winners:

Kandy Aker, The Villages, Fl
Silver, Mixed Doubles 60-64

Paul Coletta, Flat Rock, NC
 Silver, Men's Doubles 60-64
Bronze, Singles 60-64

Jerry Corker, Mobile, AL
Silver, Men's Doubles 70+

Amy Dodd - Mobil,e AL
Gold, Mixed Doubles 19-34
Bronze, Ladies Doubles 19-49

Rich Donald - Wesley Chapel, FL
Silver, Men's Doubles 60-64

Marsha Freso - Wimauma, Fl
Gold, Ladies Doubles 55-59
Gold - Singles 60-69

Bob Huskey -Opelika, AL
Bronze, Men's Doubles 60-64 (with Gary Ball)
Gold, Singles 60-64

Karen McConico, Mobile, AL
Bronze,  Ladies Doubles 19-49
Gold, Mixed Doubles 35-49

Nancy Meyer, Ft. Myers. FL
Gold, Ladies Doubles 55-59
Gold, Mixed Doubles 55-59
Bronze, Singles 19+

Cathy Miller, Poinciana, Fl
Bronze, Ladies Doubles 60-64
Bronze, Singles 60-69

Mark Stemmerman, The Villages, Fl
Silver, Mixed Doubles 60-64

Congratulations to all the medal winners, and to all the Mid South representatives for all their hard work in putting together a great time and a great tournament.

kIDS FITNESS FESTIVAL OF PALM BEACHES

South Florida's Interactive Youth Sports Experience is Back
 PalmBeachsports.com



What:  The Kids Fitness Festival of the Palm Beaches presented by Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Florida.


Where: Palm Beach County Convention Center, 650 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL 33401


When: Wednesday, July 11th and Thursday, July 12th, 2012 from 10am – 3pm each day.....

Why: The Kids’ Fitness Festival offers something for every child under the age of 13. Elementary and middle school children can participate in over 40 traditional and nontraditional sport clinics from the area’s leading instructors, or they can hang out in the midway, play games and interact with mascots.

Pictured above is USAPA Palm Beach, Fl Ambassador Dick Freshley and his wife Verna, who introduced pickleball for the second year at this event for young children.    Dick sent along these pictures along with this message:  The Palm Beach County Kids Fitness Festival was held last Wednesday and Thursday.  Everything went well and we got to introduce pickleball to many kids and Recreation Directors.  There were over 2,700 children over the two days.  Some from as far away as Ft. Lauderdale and Hobe Sound.  


And Verna - we all want to know if you ever managed to get a pickleball paddle in the hands of that Miami (Florida) Marlins Mascott !!

Pickleball Introduced in the Ukraine....

Pictures and story by: 
Howard and Carolyn Alred
Ambassadors, Valdosta, GA


How exciting for Ambassadors Howard and Carolyn Alred to introduce pickleball for the very first time in the Ukraine!  During the first week of June, this new sport was introduced during a Bible Camp sponsored by members of the Church of Christ. 

Since the late 1990's this Bible Camp has been held at school #10 in Dzerzhinsk Ukraine.  approximately 125 students, community residents and interpreters from area colleges participated in the workshops.  The Ukraine's dominating sport is soccer, so we were very apprehensive as to how the game of pickleball would be received.    We were thrilled with how enthusiastically they embraced learning the new skills and rules of the game.   They were so excited about getting to play the game taat we had to open the gym in the evening.  At the completion of the camp the pickleball equipment was donated to the school, so that the students could continue to play the game next school year.
.

The following is a note written to us by one of the interpreters that was assigned to assist us with our classes.

"When I took this racquet in my hand, I understood that this game was for me.  The rules are simple and is one of the most intersting games I have ever played.  Thank you that you brought this new game into our country and thank you that we were the first who played the game here. "

Pickleball at The Reserve at Lake Keowee, SC

Submitted by
Jean Borden, Ambassador
Sunset, SC

I think it is interesting to see that I started with the chalk sent with my temporary pickleball equipment to draw the lines on the tennis parking lot then progressed to the orange tape that was also included.  Here is a picture of some of the players and a short video.

It took only one month to convince our club manager to paint permanent lines on the tennis court parking lot.  It certainly is a statement to the popularity and fun that pickleball can offer.  

Pickleball grows steadily here at The Reserve at Lake Keowee.  Every Monday and Friday we play from 10:30 - noon.  Each week we see new people and have more friendly competition on our court......people are already clamoring for some nice permanent courts.  If the economy we better, I think they would already be under consruction.  nevertheless, the enthusiasm and participation grwos and I think we look forward to a bright future.

It is encouraging that a neighboring community is having courts built, at Koweee Key, so that will also be a supporting factor for us here at The Reserve! 

 Thank you to the USAPA for all the helpful ideas and support.

Cherokee Magezine features North GA Club

Net Gain
Cherokee Life Magezine
June 29, 2012
www.cherokeelifemagezine.com

“Pickleball is incredibly easy to learn and maddeningly addictive,” Ann says. “Because of the combination of physical activity, competitiveness, social interaction and fun, it appeals to players of all ages. It’s the game of choice for active seniors, and I think it will be the dominant court game before too long. I can’t speak for everyone, but if you’re looking for an activity where you can play for little investment and almost anywhere you can play tennis, this is the sport for you.” So, you want to play Pickleball?

CLICK HERE for complete article:

Atlantic-South Regional Tournament - Registration Opens July 20th

ATLANTIC-SOUTH REGIONAL

PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT

WELCOME.  We are very pleased to announce the first Atlantic-South Regional Pickleball Tournament to be held January 31, February 1, 2, 3, 2013, in Naples. Florida.  The tournament will be played at the East Naples Communtiy Park, 3500 Thomasson Drive, in Naples, Florida.  

Naples is a beautiful place to be in the winter, with the average temperature in the low 80's and plenty of sunshine.  The area is full of shops, great restaurants, and many different types of attractions, and of course the beaches. 

We have been working with Athletes in Paradise and the Naples Sports Council to secure special pricing for the tournament for many hotels.  You may even plan on staying a few extra days to enjoy all that the area has to offer.  

Tournament Information 

You do not have to be a USAPA member to participate, however, we will be giving a discount to those with USAPA membership numbers.  The Atlantic-South Regional Tournament is a Sactioned, Tier 4 Tournament.  It is open to all those that are at least 16 years old by December 31, 2013,  This is an Age Level Tournament with age categories: 16-25, 26-34, 35-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85-89, and 90+.  

There will be 16 outdoor courts, and the Yellow Dura Ball will be used for the tournament. 

Registration will open July 20, 2012.  You will be able to mail in your registration or register and pay on-line.  The link will provided when forms are posted.  All information will be available when the upcoming  registration form is posted.  The forms can be printed directly from www. usapa.org, or www. pickleballspecialties. com, beginning July 20, 2012.

Events

The kick-off will begin Thursday evening, January 31, with a Social Dinner at 6:30 pm.  Our Regional Director, Donna Donald, who works and does so much, will say a few words.  Meet our other ambassadors from around the region and also those from outside the region, along with an update about what is going on around the Atlantic-South. 

We will have a buffet style dinner, and plenty of raffle prizes.  The rest of the weekend pickleball events will go as follows:

Friday, February 1st, Men's and Women's Doubles ( All start times will be announced later) 

Saturday, February 2nd,  Mixed Doubles ( All start times will be announced later)

Sunday, February 3rd, Men's and Women's Singles (All start times will be announced later)

Format

The tournament will be a double elimination, top bracket matches will be 2 out of 3 games to 11 pts. win by 2.  The back draw will be one game to 15 pts. win by 2.   All championship matches will be 2 out of 3 games to 11 pts. win by 2, and if the player(s)If the player(s) from the backdraw win, then a second game will be played to 15 pts, win by 2 for first place.  

Awards will be given for 1, 2, 3 place finishes, along with tournament points being awarded if you are a USAPA member.  

Age groups may be combined to assure adequate playing time and is at the discretion of the tournament directors.  If age groups are combined that is considered one group and awards are given for that age group only.  

Hotels/Motels/Car Rentals

There will be a direct link to take you to the Hotels/Motels that are participating in the reduced rates for tournament players, where you will be able to directly make reservations.  A direct link will also be provided to register and pay on-line.  

Scorekeepers

When there are 16 courts running for three days, it takes a lot of scorekeepers to help out.  We ask that you volunteer to help us to at least score two matches.  If  you have friends, partner or spouse traveling with you and they would like to help out, it would be greatly appreciated.  Scorekeeper Class 101 will run Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings from 8:00 am - 8:30 am, please attend even it if is to brush up on some things.  

We hope that you will join us in the first Atlantic-South Regional Pickleball Tournament.  It will be a great time, with plenty of Pickleball.  

Sincerely

Nancy Meyer

Cindy Eddleman

Tournament Directors

Traveling Abroad

Submitted by:
Scott Nelson, Ambassador
Space Coast, FL

As Christopher Columbus once traveled the world to find new horizons, so does Pete Kohler travel to find pickleball.

Recently Pete and his wife went to Aruba for a vacation. Hoping to play pickleball, Pete always carries his paddle with him.  Lucky enough, Pete did find a place to play, and although there was a bit of a language barrier and the game was played a little different,  the competition was fierce.

As in most pickleball venues in the states or abroad, the people who play are always welcoming and hospitable.  Each day as Pete arrived with paddle in hand the natives were restless to play Pickleball.

See if you can pick out Pete from the locals?

Ormond Beach, Fl Welcomes new Ambassador

Maxine Sharp,
Ambassador, 
Ormond Beach, Fl 

Florida welcomes Maxine Sharp, our newest ambassador representing Ormond Beach. Orginally from Michigan where she spent 45 years raising a family and working as a professional computer programmer and systems analyst.

When her youngest graduated, she began her life of travel - first to St. Thomas where she sailed to many islands and across the Atlantic to Spain. Her daughter’s illness brought her back to the States. But her love of the water kept her close to the ocean, first in the Florida Panhandle where she openeded an operated an independent video store for 15 years and built a gallery, sculpture studio.

She now resides in Ormond Beach and her newest adventures include duplicate bridge and pickleball. Maxine’s plans are to continue to work with the manager at the Nova Community Center to continue to recruit new pickleball players. While the center is closed to weekday play from June thru August, she is working to get one of the tennis courts converted for pickleball play. Additionally she is promoting the game to residents at the private Community of Ormond Lakes, and is recruiting players to travel to South Daytona to use a converted tennis court during the week.

Daytona Beach Shores First Pickleball Tournament

Submitted by:

Daytona Beach Shores had there first and very successful Pickleball Tournament on Saturday June 30th.  We started small with Volusia County residents age 50 and over as participants.  We had 30 players and lots and lots of fun.  

There were first and second place winners in singles, doubles and mixed doubles competition, happily accepting medals and envelopes with cash prizes.... and more will be planned in the near future.

The Daytona News Journal was on hand for the big event as well as our Mayor and several members of city council.


Below - some pictures of the happy, smiling winners!

Click Here for all the tournament champions!