Condolences from your pickleball family....

Carl Clous, USAPA Ambassador, South Central Florida.

Carl resided in the Solivita Community in Poinciana, Fl.  Fellow pickleball player Cathy Miller sends this along........

We in Solivita are saddened to inform you that one of the USAPA's most enthusiastic supporters has passed away. Carl Clous, beloved friend and pickleball partner passed away the day before yesterday( Aug. 24th) due to an ongoing battle with various forms of cancer. He was a fighter to the end, not wanting to give in. Two weeks ago he decided to return to his home state of Ohio to be with his son and daughter there. 

 I am forwarding a message and pictures from Solivita's resident pickleball photographer that sums up how we all feel about Carl. 

Big Canoe Pickleball

Remember, last month Steve and Pat Dunn had organized a clinic at Big Canoe in Jasper, GA? What a great turnout they had! 

 Not yet listed on our places to play page but Linda Powell of Big Canoe says: We are just experimenting at this point to get a feel for the level of interest. We are starting by taping off 1 hard court and introducing a couple of clinics. 

We all know how addictive this game is…………..so we confident that we’ll be hearing more from this location real soon.

Fun for All - It's Pickleball!
www.carymagazine.com, August, 2012 - Cary, NC


“I didn’t want to go at first,” said William “Bubba” Grant, whose wife picked up the sport a few months before she convinced him to come along. After a year and a half, “Now all I think about is, ‘When can I play?’”

Never fear if you’re a stranger to sports. Cary Pickleball Ambassador Mike Walsh or Holly Springs and Garner Pickleball Ambassador Luis Vazquez are more than happy to show you the ropes when you arrive.

 Read more: 

Tanglewood Snowbirds at the Ontario Senior Games.

The  Ontario 55Plus Senior Games were played recently in Brampton.

Tanglewood (Sebring, FL) residents Wayne Roswell,  Marcie Taylor and Dave Werry were all there! 

Kudos to Wayne, who took on the role of convening the entire event this year.   Dave Werry with his partner from Aurora, Ontario( pictured)  took home the GOLD!!

CLICK HERE to read more!

USAPA BANNER CONTEST !!!

ATTENTION ALL ATLANTIC SOUTH USAPA MEMBERS....... 

GET CREATIVE!!!!!

YOU ONLY HAVE THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER   

Help us create a new USA PICKLEBALL banner. 

The USAPA Board is in search of a new design for our 3’ x 6’ banner that we give to ambassadors and clubs to hang at tournaments, lessons, and clinic or wherever pickleball is regularly played. The USAPA will award the winner with a three year extension to their USAPA membership plus Pickleball Central will award any one paddle of the winner’s choice that is displayed on their website and one dozen pickleballs. Contest Rules

National Senior Games Association Relocates Headquarters To Central Florida (via PR Newswire)

KISSIMMEE, Fla., Aug. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- National Senior Games Association (NSGA), a non-profit organization dedicated to senior health and wellness, announced today the relocation of its corporate headquarters to Kissimmee, Fla., effective immediately. The Osceola Board of County Commissioners…

Madison-Mayodan Recreation Department , NC Introduced to Pickleball

Great game, strange name
(Aug 21, 2012 High Point, NC, www2.godanriver.com)
 
Cheryl Albrecht, director of the senior center at M-M Recreation, wanted to bring Vaughn and a few other pickleball players in to help local Senior Games participants become familiar with the game. Albrecht said North Carolina Senior Games was likely to add the game to the schedule of events next year and she wanted to get a head start on learning the rules and gaining experience.

READ MORE......

Meet Deb Richter,Our New Ambassador for Brevard, NC

Hi from Brevard NC, land of waterfalls and pickleball. My partner and I found Brevard, and our new community, Connestee Falls back in Y2K. Bring back memories? Back then, I was an air traffic controller at the center in the Washington, DC area. Retired now, that was my 3rd, but primary career, having enjoyed a few years as a lab tech and computer programmer, and before that, a science and PE teacher/coach. I've been in every state of the union, and have traveled through Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Mexico, South America and Europe....Did I mention I like to travel and now I don't leave home without my paddle.

 My pickleball introduction was in October of 2010. Our wellness committee offered an afternoon seminar in Pickleball and I HAD to see what this sport with the dumb name was all about. We used two tennis courts with some taped modified lines, paddles and balls, some enthusiastic teachers and 40 rookies. At the end of the seminar someone came up to me and said "You're pretty good at this...want to organize it? I said yes and we haven't looked back.

We played for about 8 months with tape or chalked lines but our numbers grew. Today, we have an active and enthusiastic group of about 175 pickleball players who meet regularly for fun and competition. Our community has expanded and renovated one tennis court into 4 state of the art pickleball courts. We have hosted 2 tournaments, collectively raising $7000 for our local high school and college students as scholarships.

We have offered beginner classes for 2 years and this year, added sessions of intermediate and advanced skills training. We have started a ladder with the help of USAPA and play weekly, and have an interclub event weekly with another local group of players. We are also a very social group, hosting a monthly gathering during the summer called "Pickles and Beer". We are listed with USAPA and we invite and encourage visitors to enjoy our hospitality and community in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina.

Check out our website, www.carolinapickleball.com See you on the courts!

Bluffton Pickleball Group makes the news

Pickleball, an exercise in disquise
Sun City Hilton Head, www.blufftontoday.com, August 15, 2012

If looking for a way to stay active and get a great workout in, Pickleball keeps the muscles moving but most importantly keeps players entertained while enjoying the outdoors.

   READ MORE

REGISTRATION FOR THE 2012 FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL SENIOR GAMES & STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS IS NOW AVAILABLE!!  2012 Florida International Senior Games & State Championships December 1-9, 2012 Polk County    This will serve as a qualifier for the 2013 National Senior Games.**Softball will be held November 3-4, 2012** **10K Road Race will be held November 17, 2012**   Registration is now available online, and booklets will be mailed in September.        For complete registration information, please visit:  2012 Florida Senior Games Registration Information For complete Florida Senior Games information, please visit www.flasports.com or call toll-free 866-FL-GAMES. The Sunshine State Games has been offering amateur sports opportunities in the state of Florida for 33 years. Support the Sunshine State Games and Florida's Olympians by purchasing an Olympic  License plate today!

Pickleball

 Dates: December 1-2, 2012

Locations: Kelly Recreation Center, 404 Imperial Boulevard, Lakeland, FL 33803

Entry Fee: $15 for one event, $20 for two events and $23 for three events for Florida residents. $20 for one event, $25 for two events and $28 for three events for non-residents. PLEASE MAKE ALL PAYMENTS TO THE FLORIDA SPORTS FOUNDATION (FSF) State Championships 

Qualifying: Pickleball does not require qualification at a Local Senior Games. 

National Qualifying: Pickleball is now a sport of the National Senior Games! 2012 is a qualifier for the 2013 National Senior Games.

 Other: Tournament will be played outdoors. Registration will open August 2012.

Pickleball Exploding in Cary and surrounding areas....

Submitted by Mike Walsh, Ambassador, Cary, NC

The growth and excitement for Pickleball in this area is truly a wonderful thing to be involved with. The core group in Cary has now grown continually and there is no end in sight. Although we had to give up our daytime playing time in the Bond Park Community Center (due to summer student track out programs), alternative playing venues have emerged.

Luis Vazquez, USAPA ambassador for Holly Springs and Garner organized daytime play at the Harrison Grande outdoor court and indoor play at the Cary Community Center. Joe Borrelli initiated daytime outdoor play at the Brier Creek Country Club and evening indoor play at the Brier Creek Community Center. Play at the Brier Creek Community Center has been very, very popular with one of the three courts used for teaching new participants each week.

 As the result of our previously reported training sessions at Pinehurst their program is off to a running start thanks to the efforts of their Pro Matt Downing, and club members Larry Cox and Rudy VanZanten. In addition to now having a couple dozen regular players they also issued their first invitation for inter-group play .

 On July 10th ten players from our Cary, NC group travelled to Pinehurst and enjoyed a round-robin teams event which included a fine patio luncheon. It was so successful that the Cary group will now host a similar event this November. It is my belief that Pinehurst, which is internationally known for golf and tennis, has the potential to be a southern Pickleball mecca.

Cary NC town officials have now agreed to meet and discuss converting an existing concrete slab at the White Oak Park venue into 2 Pickleball courts. Also, John Brown, Dir of Parks and Rec, for Apex NC has informed us that our prior efforts there, have resulted in indoor play at the Apex Community Center beginning in September. Indoor play at the Bond Park Community Center will also resume in September and a second tournament is being discussed for October.

North Georgia Pickleball - Expanding to new communities

Submitted by: 
Ann Earley, 
North Georgia Pickleball Club

(Pictures are of clinic held atBentwater Community in Acworth, GA.

During the summer months, the North Georgia Pickleball Club has promoted the sport of PB across the north portion of Georgia with beginner clinics lead by Tom Earley and assisted by various club members.

 Two weeks ago Steve & Pat Dunn arranged a clinic for over 70 residents at Big Canoe near Ball Ground.  Today Bill Whatley arranged the clinic of 30+ eager players at Bentwater in Acworth. All new players were encouraged to join USAPA.

 The North Georgia Pickleball Club plays every Monday/Wednesday/Friday and most Sundays at 9 a.m. to noon.

Pickleball introduced at Kids Summer Tennis Camp

Marco Island Kids Are Introduced to the Sport of Pickleball during Summer Tennis Camp

Photos and submission by Jodi Pree, 
USAPA Ambassador for Marco Island, FL

Coach Wayne Clark (head tennis pro at the MIRC) decided to put a twist on his Summer Tennis Camp program this year. He decided to introduce the kids to the sport of pickleball.

Coach Wayne not only introduced pickleball at his camp at the MIRC but also introduced summer sports campers at Mackle Park to a weekly Tennis/Pickleball Clinic once a week. At Mackle each week, 12-15 enthusiastic kids participated in tennis & pickleball. 

A total of 60 kids attended Coach Wayne’s Summer Tennis Camp at the Marco Island Racquet Center; an average of 8-12 kids per day during the 9 week program. Attendees included not only the regular locals but also included kids from Columbia, England, Germany, as well as kids from all across the USA. 

“I’ve had such a positive response and so much success with pickleball in my Summer Camp session that I plan on making it a regular activity in my City Kids after school programs,” remarks Coach Wayne Clark. 

Meet Byron and Marsha Freso

Byron and Marsha Freso-
Ambassadors, Wimauma, FL

After over a year of searching for the right "retirement" community in Florida, in March 2011 Marsha and Byron Freso moved into Valencia Lakes in Wimauma (near Sun City Center about 25 miles south of Tampa).

Marsha is originally from Detroit, Michigan and Byron hails from Guyana, South America. They met and married in Atlanta, Georgia 32 years ago and after living there for over 25 years, they were ready for a change. After moving to Valencia Lakes, being avid sportspeople, the Fresos learned to play pickleball.

They continue to hone their skills, although they have collected over three dozen medals from various pickleball tournaments they have played in the southeast this past year. Byron is President of the Valencia Lakes Pickleball Club, which has grown to 108 members. The Club sponsors group clinics for beginning players and ladder play for the more seasoned players. In addition, the Club’s Mentor Program is set up to assist new players on a one-to-one basis. The community has four permanent pickleball courts and is in the process of adding three more to better support the volume of daily activity.

Intermediate Pickleball Clinic with Coach Mo

Coach Mo from the Villages held a senior center sponsored intermediate Pickleball clinic on Tuesday August 7, 2012 at the new pickleball courts in Daytona Beach Shores, Fl

You can usually find Coach Mo playing pickleball somewhere in The Villages, Fl when he is not giving his Monday afternoon clinics.

But on Tuesday 21 people from the Volusia County area signed up for his clinic. According to Ronnie Jackson, Manager of the Daytona Beach Shores Senior Center...:  This event was well received and we will offer another in September for beginners and intermediates. Date will be announced soon.

 

COSTA RICKA ADVENTURE - MAY 2013

Information provided by Audrey Phillips

 In May of this year 131 pickleball players and friends from all over the U.S. and Canada came together at an all-inclusive resort in Jamaica for a week of unlimited eating, drinking, watersports and, of course, pickleball. Unfortunately, the grapevine did not reach everyone; many USAPA members and friends did not hear about the trip or were not able to participate.

At the request of this year’s participants, Audrey Phillips, USAPA ambassador, San Diego and the organizer of the adventure, is planning another for 2013.

The May 2013 pickleball adventure will be held at the Westin Playa Conchal in Costa Rica. This all-inclusive resort has been selected as one of the top 100 resorts in the world by Travel & Leisure magazine.

 In addition to 16 pickleball courts with daily play for all ages and skill levels, focused clinics and a mini tournament, the trip package includes deluxe junior suites, unlimited food and drink at eight restaurants and six bars and special events just for our pickleball group.

Snorkeling and kayaking, hiking in the resort’s nature preserve and evening entertainment are also included. Golf, scuba diving and other activities are available at a special group rate. Group airfare is also available. Eco-friendly Costa Rica lends itself to river rafting, rainforest exploration and jungle cruises. Tamarindo, an artist colony and surfing paradise, welcomes shoppers.

The dates for the trip are May 2 to 9, 2013. It is open to all ages and skill levels.

CLICK HERE for a brochure that you can download and print. It includes detailed information on the resort and pickleball.

CLICK HERE to download the registration form


For more information about the Pura Vida Pickleball Adventure, contact Audrey Phillips at veryaud2@mac.com or 858-756-3356.

Student Scholarship Tournament, Connestee Fall, NC

How do you combine Pickleball and educational scholarships? You run a tournament whose proceeds benefit county high school and college scholarships. And that's what Connestee Falls Mountain Picklers have done. The Connestee Falls Student Scholarship Program is celebrating its 25th anniversary and boasts having raised over $550,000 for our students. The pickleball club in the community, Mountain Picklers, has hosted their second tournament for the program. This year the club raised over $4300 and more than doubled our last year efforts. Although weather delayed the Men's and Womens doubles for a week, we did finish the tournament July 20th. Pictures and videos are available on our website,  NC Pickleball in Brevard,

The winners are as follows:

Mixed Doubles- with 19 teams participating: 3rd - Joyce and Bear Baila of Connestee Falls, NC 2nd - Loretta and Mike Beckner of Aiken, SC and 1st - Rene' Wilson and George Vickery of Connestee Falls, NC

Women's Doubles - with 8 teams registered: 3rd - Marian Wolf and Karen Wolf of Connestee Falls and Cedar Mountain, NC 2nd - Barbara Vaughn and Lynn Milner of Canton and Waynesville, NC and 1st - Rene' Wilson and Deb Richter of Connestee Falls, NC

Men's Doubles - with 11 teams registered: 3rd - Bob Brockway and John Dreier of Connestee Falls, NC 2nd - Heath Whittle and Carl Schumacher of Connestee Falls, NC and 1st - Rick Erzol and Pete Landry of Leicester and Hendersonville, NC

Fun Tournament - 3rd - Sue Ziegler of Connestee Falls, NC 2nd - Ingrid Jackson of Connestee Falls, NC and 1st - Judith Johnson of Connestee Falls, NC

Teams from as far away as Florida, South Carolina and of course, North Carolina joined in the effort. Thank you and congratulations to everyone who participated and to the merchants and donors who helped with this awesome event.

 See you all next year!

2012 USAPA National Tournament Update
By Gigi LeMaster and Steve Wong,
2012 USAPA Nationals Tournament Directors

You thought Wimbledon tennis was exciting, well wait till the USAPA Nationals IV Pickleball Tournament in Buckeye, Ariz., Nov. 4 to 12. The USAPA National Tournament is the annual blockbuster of tournaments. All year long players participate in local, regional and state tournaments in preparation for testing their skills in this exciting national event.

The USAPA National Tournament, which is open to all USAPA members (membership required), is two competitions rolled into one. There are age-category events – women’s and men’s singles, doubles and mixed doubles -- beginning with youth and extending upward into 80+ age brackets, and open competition, which allows players, regardless of age, to compete equally. This year for the first time, open competition is limited to USAPA skill levels 4.0 and higher. Although we are the new tournament directors, previous directors are still very active in the background and always ready to let us tap their vast knowledge and experience. In the fierce competition of the USAPA National Tournament powerful overhead slams, precision dinks from anywhere on the court, sideline winners and lightening-fast volleys are the norm. The heart-pounding matches where the best meet the best are certain to be a rewarding learning experience, whether you are a participant or spectator. Attending the National Tournament is a week of guaranteed excitement and camaraderie!

Visit http://nationals.usapa.org for the Event Schedule, to volunteer and to register to play. The registration deadline is October 5, 2012. Register now to guarantee your spot!

2013 National Senior Games Association Qualifying Events


Check out the following site for qualifying State Olympic Games and get qualified for the NSGA Nationals in Cleveland, Ohio, July, 2013: http://www.nsga.com/state-senior-games/summer-games. Click on the state you would like information about and get registered.

August "Hot Spots" for a qualifying event include: Delaware, Idaho, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Wisconsin and Wyoming. You must qualify to participate in the 2013 NSGA National tournament.

NOTE:  Atlantic South States Qualifying months: : 
Alabama - May (Completed)
Florida - December
Georgia - September
North Carolina - September/Octobr
South Carolina -  May (Completed)

If picklebal is not played in your State Games -  you will need to qualify for the Nationals in another State's Games.

PICKLEBALL-  FUNNY NAME, FUN SPORT
PeachtreeCorners.patch.com

Pickelball was brought to the Robert D. Fowler YMCA by Joe and Peggy O’Toole who were introduced to the sport while visiting relatives in Texas. The couple are avid tennis players and soon discovered that when unable to play tennis because of weather conditions they could always play Pickleball.

Since the Y started the sport in January many people have expressed an interest and have joined in the fun. The beauty of this game is that it is easy for beginners to learn, but can develop into a fast-paced, competitive game for experienced players and it is great for all ages!

Upcoming Tournament at Pelican Bay - Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach pickleball players who were willing to brave the heat of Florida, met for a Round Robin social which included six rounds of pickleball and a brunch. New players had fun and enjoyed the round robin game which gave them the opportunity to play with better players. Tom Southard and Debby Dempsey were the winners, with 53 and 49 points respectively.

 The social was hosted by Cathy Stansbury, USAPA ambassador for Daytona Beach. Pelican Bay Tennis/Pickleball Club has been kind enough to make their 4 converted tennis courts and one lined pickleball court available to Daytona Beach pickleball players for regular play and round robin socials. With their club house, showers, restrooms and 5 courts, it is a great place for small tournaments and socials.

They will be hosting the first pickleball tournament in Daytona Beach, Feb. 8 to the 10. Go to www.daytonapickleball.com for more information about the tournament.

Registration will be available after September 1.