Monday, December 29, 2014

North Carolina Pickleball Feature – Cornelius North Carolina

Published December 28, 2014 - www.northcarolinapickleball.net

When planning meets opportunity big things happen. Such is the case recently in Cornelius NC when both the Town Board and Parks Board unanimously approved a new court project. While there are still additional steps and contingencies that must be met, 12 professional pickleball and 6 new tennis courts are slated to be built near N.C. 115 and Bailey Road in Cornelius, NC. The project is a public/private partnership between Bluestream Partners LLC and the Town of Cornelius. In addition to the proposed new courts, additional restroom facilities and walking trails are on tap with construction beginning sometime in 2015. Once completed, numerous pickleball clinics, tournaments and match play will begin. Bailey’s Glen subdivision, adjacent to the park, already has 5 pickleball courts and with the addition of the Bailey Road courts along with existing park pickleball indoor and outdoor facilities, Cornelius will become a leader in pickleball court development within North Carolina.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Ladies Play Date in Georgia

Published December 24, 2014 - www.cherokeetribune.com

The North Georgia Pickleball Club hosted its first ladies play date Saturday (December 20). Players from the Big Canoe, Pickleball Northeast Cobb and the North Georgia Pickleball clubs took part. Games were organized so players could meet and interact with those from other clubs.

Tom and Ann Earley hosted the event at their home in Canton and were on hand to offer advice to the players.

The next play date is planned for February.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Friday, December 19, 2014

The Pickleball Effect

Posted December 18, 2014 - www.winstonsalempickleball.wordpress.com

I have to say, when I first heard there was a sport with the name Pickleball, I scoffed and did not give it another thought. I mean, come on, I consider myself a serious athlete, and the name alone oozed a comic, non-serious flavor that I initially turned my nose up to. A few months passed, and I kept on hearing mention of this game, a game named after the inventors dog, Pickles. I decided to peek my head into an area gymnasium and get a closer look. What I found was a group of people, ALL Ages, ALL skill levels, having a BLAST!! There were matches going on where the competition was top notch, as well as matches going on where the players were “newbies”, just learning how to play. The mix of all these types of players was AMAZING and from that moment on I have been ADDICTED!!

I now play EVERY chance I get, teach the game to anyone willing or wanting to pick up a paddle, sharing the game with EVERYONE I Can!! That is the reason for this blog!! I want to put into words and pictures everything that makes Pickleball so addictive, to show everyone the reasons behind this International Phenomenon!! I plan to travel to the ends of the state and beyond, introducing the people and players that are so colorful in personality and full of life, energy and enthusiasm!! My desire is that everyone experiences “The Pickleball Effect”!!


Four Warriors Going To Battle during the Pickleball Marathon at the YWCA in Winston Salem, NC!!
 

CLICK HERE to read more.


Thursday, December 18, 2014

Clearwater (FL) hosts pickleball clinic

Published December 17, 2014 - www.tbnweekly.com

CLEARWATER – The city of Clearwater will host a free pickleball clinic and exhibition from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, at the Henry L. McMullen Tennis Complex, 1000 Edenville Ave.

CLICK HERE to read more.



Monday, December 15, 2014

Lee County pickleball players impress at Senior Games

Published December 15, 2014 - www.news-press.com

Mike Welter couldn't have been more pleased.

Not only did the Cape Coral resident win three medals in three days of pickleball competition at the Florida Senior Games, but he certainly wasn't alone in his accomplishments.

"I'm very, very proud of the Lee County players," said Welter. "They have done really, really well here. We were amazing in singles."

How good? Five-gold medal good.

Among them was Fort Myers' Barry Waddell who defended his 50-54 singles, mixed and men's doubles titles this weekend.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Senior Games concludes with more local gold

Published December 14, 2014 - www.news-press.com

The Florida International Senior Games & State Championships concluded Sunday in Lee County after nine days of competition featuring nearly 2,200 athletes over the age of 50.

When the final pickleball match ended Sunday evening at the Estero Recreation Center, it closed out more than 33 hours of the game between Friday and Sunday.

Barry Wadell teamed with Robert Denmark, both of Fort Myers, to win his third pickleball gold medal in men's doubles. The duo repeated as champions in the 50-54 age group. Waddell won the men's singles 50-54 age group gold medal Friday and teamed with Kimberly Shaw to win a mixed doubles 50-54 age group medal Saturday. Waddell and Denmark won all three matches in two games Sunday after Waddell and Shaw were pushed to three games in all four of their wins on Saturday.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Saturday, December 13, 2014

Local pickleball players golden at Florida Senior Games

Published December 12, 2014 - www.news-press.com

Six local pickleball players were victorious in singles competition at Estero Community Park on Friday. Fort Myers’ David Warner won his fourth consecutive gold medal in the 60-64 age group, taking three matches en route to the championship. He defeated Guy Gauthier, also of Fort Myers, in the final, 11-2, 7-11, 11-1.

Cape Coral’s Robert Welter was undefeated in four matches and won his third gold medal in four years. He defeated Michael Thaler, of Briny Breezes, 11-9, 11-9, in the championship match of the 60-64 age group. Welter won the same age group in 2013 and the 55-59 age group gold in 2011.

In women’s singles, Bonita Springs’ Kimberly Shaw rebounded from a three-game loss to Meg Krenzer, of Hilton, NY, to win a 15-point championship match, 15-4. Krenzer lost to Shaw in the second round and won three elimination bracket games to set up a rematch in the championship round.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Pickleball? It’s seniors’ new thing

Published December 10, 2014 - www.mooresvilletribune.com

Most Mooresville (NC) residents have probably never played Pickleball, or even heard of it. But it’s a recreational activity that’s gaining steam in the area, one that combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong to become popular with local seniors.

Pickleball is not a new sport, as according to the USAPA (USA Pickleball Association) it was invented in 1965 by three fathers looking to create a new game to alleviate their children’s summertime boredom. However, the game has recently grown a local following, leading the Mooresville Recreation Center to add weekly play times at both the War Memorial Center and Talbert Recreation Center.

CLICK HERE to read more.
 

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Cornelius Parks Summer Pickleball Youth Camp 2015

Submitted by Robert Nibarger, District Ambassador, Piedmont District - North Carolina


Planned growth is the theme for Cornelius North Carolina Pickleball as the local parks department is planning for Youth Summer Pickleball Camps beginning next year. Pickleball is alive and well in the Charlotte NC area. However, there are several gaps. These gaps include limited gym space for indoor play, limited evening hour availability, lack of youth programs and not offering pickleball to all age groups. At least one of these gaps, no youth programs, will be addressed this next summer. Note: Earlier in the year the local pickleball club (Bailey’s Glen) challenged a group of students at Hugh High School. While the club won the first event, the students pledge to get revenge on the courts. The summer youth camp details are not available at this time but a meeting has been requested between the Parks Department and local pickleball enthusiasts representing the USAPA.

For more information, contact ncpickleball@aol.com  

Mooresville Pickleball Now On The Map

Submitted by Renee Bailey, Ambassador, Mooresville NC

Hello everyone, 

Included are a few pictures from our first night at the Talbert Recreation Center this past Friday night. We had a great turnout and fun was had by all!


The Friday night schedule for the Talbert Recreation Center will be 6:00 pm - 6:30 pm practice/drills. Open play is from 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm.
 
 
Thank you so much for your support and I hope we can continue to grow in numbers and spread the word about the great sport of pickleball. 


Learn To Play Pickleball

Published December 8, 2014 - www.noodls.com

The City of Clearwater (FL) invites the community to attend a free pickleball clinic and exhibition Wednesday, Dec. 17 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 20 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Henry L. McMullen Tennis Complex, 1000 Edenville Avenue. Pickleball is a combination of badminton, ping-pong and tennis. It is simple to learn and suitable for all ages and athletic ability levels. To register or for questions, call (727) 669-1919.

The Clearwater Beach Recreation Center, 69 Esplanade, Clearwater, will also hold a pickleball demonstration and clinic Thursday, Jan. 15, at 2 p.m. Call (727) 462-6138 for more information.

 CLICK HERE to read more.

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Pickleball Tournament Economic Impact Important

Submitted by Robert Nibarger, District Ambassador, Piedmont District - North Carolina


Metrics are now a regular part of the pickleball planning process as you approach parks departments and cities and towns for new or expanded pickleball facilities. Metrics you should collect include the number of motel/hotel rooms, restaurant spending, event receipts and other data deemed necessary for the report. Local authorities use this information to make development decisions based on the return of investment.
 

 My advice is to check early and find out what type of information is needed. Often times the local visitors bureau will collect his information for you. The above example is data collected by the Cabarrus Visitor’s Bureau in North Carolina. For more information contact ncpickleball@aol.com

 

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Social Media Provides Critical Member Contact

Submitted by Robert Nibarger, District Ambassador, Piedmont District - North Carolina

A challenge we face as Ambassadors is attracting new members while keeping in contact with our pickleball base. We know that our players utilize a variety of sources to keep current with pickleball. Some use traditional media like email and publications. Others have migrated to social media like FACEBOOK, Twitter, Instagram and others.

A recent media success story occurred immediately after the Holiday Smash Pickleball Tournament held on November 22nd at Carolina Courts in Concord, NC. A volunteer photographer, Jack Higgins, had a goal to capture as many players as possible to include action shots and human interest shots. The photos were posted on the web site Shutterfly. Word quickly spread through emails and within 3 days the site had over 110 hits. Not bad considering there were 120+ registered for the tourney. This pickleball media success prompted the creation of another Social media site on FACEBOOK GROUPS – “North Carolina Pickleball.”  Within 2 days, the site had over 28 members.

What is next? Well I am not sure but I will continue to promote Pickleball on both traditional and new social media. Remember to hit “LIKE” when using FACEBOOK as it promotes Pickleball Madness.

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Space Coast's First Pickleball Store

Submitted by Scott Nelson, District Ambassador, Central Florida

Announcing Brevard County, FL's first Pickleball store...
 
DinkDinkDink has just opened for business to support not only Brevard and the neighboring counties but web business as well.

Just in time for Christmas, DinkDinkDink has an amazing inventory of new competitively priced paddles and accessories.

Please check out the new site DinkDinkDink.com

For any questions, please feel free to call 321-243-8287 or Email greg@dinkdinkdink.com

DinkDinkDink is located at 700 South John Rodes Blvd, Unit E5, Melbourne, FL, 32909

Sunday, November 30, 2014

Pickleball demos coming to Phipps tennis center

Published November 29, 2014 - www.palmbeachdailynews.com

Palm Beach (FL) tennis centers will feature Pickleball, a racquet sport that combines elements of badminton, tennis and table tennis.

Never heard of it? Free demonstrations will take place at 11 a.m. Thursday and Dec. 11 at Phipps Ocean Park Tennis Center.

When played on a clay court, participants use a decompressed ball and a wood paddle.The sport was created for all ages and skill levels.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Pickleball Clinic To Be Offered At Parks And Recreation – Brevard NC

Published November 27, 2014 - www.transylvaniatimes.com
 
Pickleball is the fastest growing paddle sport in the country. Although it has been around since the '60s, it is just now catching on around the country and in many places around the world.

But what is it and why is it so exciting?

"First of all, it is a game played on a court half the size of a tennis court with paddles and a whiffle ball," said John Jessen, who runs weekly pickleball clinics at Transylvania County Parks and Recreation.

"It has all the strokes of tennis, but you do not have to be a tennis player in order to play the game. That's one of the reasons it is so much fun."

Anyone can learn to play. Players only have to cover an area about 10 by 15 feet, so less running is involved and the game is less stressful on the body.
 
CLICK HERE to read more.
 

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Pickleball becomes huge hit at community center

Published November 25, 2014 - www.northfortmyersneighbor.com

Mike Welter of Cape Coral has built his life around a sport that is a combination of tennis and ping-pong, and he's not the only one.

Pickleball has become all the rage at the North Fort Myers Community Center. What started as a hearty group of six people and one court has become a huge hit, with more than 60 players coming in for the four sessions per week the center offers.

While many who play the game are seniors looking to stay in shape, there are some younger players who have fallen in love with it.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Monday, November 24, 2014

North Carolina Holiday Smash Pickleball Tournament Huge Success

Submitted by Robert Nibarger, District Ambassador, Piedmont District - North Carolina

 
Holiday Smash Pickleball Round-Up
November 22, 2014 - Carolina Courts, Concord, NC

 
Over 120 Pickleball enthusiasts from the Atlantic South Region participated in the 1st Annual Holiday Smash Pickleball Tournament and Holiday Food Drive. Carolina Courts, the indoor host, was chosen because of the superior facilities which included over 80,000 square feet of indoor space, restrooms and a snack bar. Pickleball teams participated in a Round Robin tournament whereby each team plays each over 5 or more matches then plays a "head to head" match to determine bracket or age group winners. Carolina Courts has been chosen by the United States Pickleball Association (USAPA) to host the upcoming Atlantic South Pickleball Regionals scheduled for March of 2015. Local pickleball clubs from Bailey’s Glen Subdivision, Cornelius NC, and Sun City Carolina Lakes along with North Carolina USAPA Regional Pickleball Ambassadors provided volunteer support for the tournament. Special thanks to our Bailey's Glen and Sun City Pickleball volunteers.

Winners posted soon at www.carolinacourts.com

Pickleball is one of fastest growing sports in the United States with over 2,000 places to play within the United States. For more information, please contact www.ncpickleball@aol.com and www.usapa.org

 

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Too cold to play? Bah! Humbug!

Submitted by Ann Earley, Ambassador, North Georgia



Throughout the past two weeks of cold weather, if there was a degree over freezing and sunny skies (even the hint of sun!), the North Georgia Pickleball Club was on the courts! We had four courts with players waiting last Saturday; we cancelled Monday only because it was raining! This week we have players coming from Peachtree City (GA), Chattanooga, and Nashville, TN We also plan to play at 10 a.m. on Thanksgiving!

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

PTC locals dominate USAPA annual pickleball tournament

Published November 18, 2014 - www.thecitizennews.com


Tyson Sandlin and Chris O’Brien won decisively in their brackets during the first annual Pickled Peach Tournament held in Athens, Ga. Neither Sandlin nor O’Brien lost a game, which placed them against each other for the championship.

In a game normally played in 20 minutes, the two battled for 45 minutes. It was a contest of speed versus size. Sandlin was fast while O’Brien possessed long reach and a bigger size. Eventually Tyson squeaked past his longtime friend and fellow player, 15-14.

CLICK HERE to read more.




Sunday, November 16, 2014

USAPA Nationals VI in Buckeye, AZ

Congratulations to all the winners from the Atlantic South Region!

Gold Medalists
Joshua Elliott – The Villages, FL: 17-18 Junior Men’s Doubles, 13-14 Junior Men's Singles, 11-14 Junior Mixed Doubles
Rachel Elliott – The Villages, FL: 11-14 Junior Mixed Doubles
Robert Elliott – The Villages, FL: 19+ Men’s Doubles
Kyle Yates – Ft. Myers, FL: 19+ Men’s Doubles
Phil Bagley – The Villages, FL: 35+ Men’s Doubles, 35+ Mixed Doubles
Brian Staub – The Villages, FL: 35+ Men’s Doubles
Denise Boutin – The Villages, FL: 55+ Women’s Doubles
Alison Fulton – Lady Lake, FL: 55+ Women’s Doubles
Diane Bock – The Villages, FL: 60+ Mixed Doubles

Silver Medalists
Rachel Elliott – The Villages, FL: 11-14 Junior Women's Singles
Matt Staub – The Villages, FL: 19+ Mixed Doubles, Open Men’s Doubles
Diane Bock – The Villages, FL: 55+ Women’s Doubles

Bronze Medalists
Kyle Yates – Fort Myers, FL: 19+ Men’s Singles, Open Mixed Doubles
Brian Staub – The Villages, FL: 19+ Mixed Doubles, Open Men’s Doubles
Phil Bagley – The Villages, FL: Open Men’s Doubles
Jodi Elliott – The Villages, FL: 35+ Women’s Doubles
Lydia Willis – The Villages, FL: 35+ Women’s Doubles, Open Mixed Doubles
Byron Freso – Wimauma, FL: 55+ Men’s Doubles
Harriet Kalin – Delray Beach, FL: 75+ Women’s Singles

Saturday, November 15, 2014

University City YMCA Pickleball

Submitted by Robert Nibarger, District Ambassador, Piedmont District - North Carolina

The University YMCA of Charlotte kicked off its pickleball program on November 13th as members of the Bailey’s Glen Pickleball Club (Cornelius, NC), presented Pickleball 101, and informed players on basic rules, strokes and drills. The University YMCA is located at 8100 Mallard Creek Road in Charlotte, NC. According to USAPA Piedmont Ambassador Bob Nibarger, pickleball is growing “roots” in the Charlotte area as he receives calls almost weekly. To learn more about pickleball in the Piedmont Region of NC, send an email to ncpickleball@aol.com or visit www.usapa.org for places to play in NC.

Saturday, November 8, 2014

Sun City Carolina Lakes Pickleball Education Program

Submitted by Robert Nibarger, District Ambassador, Piedmont District - North Carolina
 


Sun City Carolina Lakes Pickleball continues to promote the sport by conducting clinics for old and young alike.  Frank Kinder, local pickleball coordinator, recently conducted a two-day skills clinic.  Other clinics have featured Coach Moe and Deb Harris.  The Sun City program continues to grow with new courts scheduled in the near future.

New North Carolina Indoor Facility A Big Success


Submitted by Robert Nibarger, District Ambassador, Piedmont District - North Carolina
 

Concord, NC - Carolina Courts (www.carolinacourts.com) became a major player in pickleball in the Charlotte, North Carolina area on November 3rd as almost 20 participants assembled for match play.  Carolina Courts Manager, Phillip Vaughn, sees continued growth for pickleball at both their Northern and Southern facilities within North Carolina.  The North Carolina USAPA Regional Ambassadors are hosting a holiday tourney (HOLIDAY SMASH) at Carolina Courts, which will be the prelude for the USAPA Southeast Sanctioned Regional to be held in March of 2015.  Carolina Courts is open 5 days a week for pickleball from 10 AM to 3 PM.  For more information on Carolina Courts, please send an email to ncpickleball@aol.com.

Friday, November 7, 2014

Island Rec Center hosts second annual pickleball tournament

Published November 6, 2014 - www.islandpacket.com

Thirty-five teams in five divisions will take to the court Friday when the Island Recreation Center (Hilton Head Island, SC) hosts its second annual pickleball tournament.

The tournament is divided into 50-64 and 65+ brackets in the Men’s and Mixed divisions. There is also one all-inclusive Women’s division because of a smaller number of teams.

Play begins at 10 a.m. for the Women’s Division, 10:30 a.m. for the Mixed Doubles divisions and noon for the Men’s Doubles divisions.

Spectators are welcome. Folding chairs and sunscreen are advised.

Details: Call 843-681-7273 or email bob.rozek@islandreccenter.org.

CLICK HERE to read more here.

Local residents win medals in pickleball at NC State Senior Games

Published November 6, 2014 - www.warrenrecord.com

Linda Kidd of Norlina and Stanley Brothers of Lake Gaston found success in pickleball competition at the recent State Senior Games, bringing home gold and bronze medals, respectively.

Both have been playing pickleball regularly at courts in Warren County since local pickleball began almost four years ago. The sport combines tennis, ping-pong and badminton and is played with a wiffle ball slightly larger than a baseball.

At the regional level, Kidd won gold in women's singles for the 70-74 age group, and Brothers won silver in men's singles and bronze in men's doubles in the 70-74 age group.
 
CLICK HERE to read more.
 

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

North Myrtle Beach Men’s and Women’s Tournament Format Receives Players Praise

Submitted by Rick Harpster

On October 31 and November 1, the North Myrtle Beach Recreation Department hosted its first indoor Paddle at the Beach Pickleball Tournament and received rave reviews from players for the pool play format. Departing from the usual format used for most pickleball tournaments, the Paddle at the Beach event did not offer singles or mixed doubles competition. Instead, competition was limited to men’s and women’s teams only, on six indoor courts in two gymnasiums at the J. Bryan Floyd Community Center. Also, instead of providing each player with a tournament t-shirt as a gift, the Recreation Department chose to give each player a thermal mug with the city logo engraved on one side and the Paddle at the Beach logo on the opposite side.

On Friday, teams were divided into pools by age bracket. Each team in the pool played every other team in their pool in round robin competition consisting of two game matches to 11 points. This format allowed each team a minimum of eight games, with many teams playing 10 games. Specific start times for matches were pre-established and a gym manager was assigned to each gym. This provided players with an estimate of the start time for each of their matches and the gym managers kept idle court time to a minimum.

On Saturday, the results of the pool play competition were used to divide the teams into Gold and Silver brackets. Friday competition results were also used to seed the teams for double elimination tournaments. Again, departing from awarding medals to the winners, first and second place finishing teams in each bracket received a black marble paper weight engraved with the Paddle at the Beach logo and their tournament finishing position.

The pool play tournament format received high praise from the players. Each team played more games than they would have played had the Recreation Department chosen the usual double elimination tournament format. A second Paddle at the Beach is planned for April 24 and 25, 2015. This event will also use a round robin pool play format. Additional information will be on the USAPA website soon.

Saturday, November 1, 2014

Halloween Pickleball Chili CookOff

Submitted by Ann Earley, Ambassador, North Georgia




A good time was had by all at the Halloween PB Chili CookOff yesterday! It was great to see Alice Tym, Bart Brannon, and Lou Novechek from Chattanooga, TN; Steve and Renata Hess from Hoschton, GA; and our special guests from Canada: Randy & Judy Bourne and Colin & Andrea Caldwell.

We had five courts of chilly players and ten crock pots of chili to taste afterwards. Also, we had some killer cornbread offerings- one "truly Southern" made with bacon grease and stone ground corn meal and the other truly "gourmet" with broccoli. The winner was the Buck Fever Chili by Donna Goodall. A "blue northern" came through during our tasting, but everyone was snug and warm from the chili inside the Stable.

Pickleball in PTC

Published October 31, 2014 - www.thecitizen.com

The Peachtree City Pickleball Club kicked off in Peachtree City Sunday, Oct. 12. Close to 100 friends and family members gathered at the tennis center to see what the game with the funny name was all about.

Once thought to be only for the 50-plus crowd, children ages nine to 17 were out hitting whiffle-ball shots over the net, using either graphite or wooden paddles. Two of Peachtree City’s 20-somethings, Tyson Sandlin and Chris O’Brien, demonstrated the skills they learned at age 9. Sandlin’s father, Marty, built his own court 15 years ago so he could teach the neighborhood kids how to play.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Englewood Sun Coast Pickleball Classic

Hi to all Pickleball Players,

We are pleased to announce a brand new tournament in Englewood, Florida on Saturday, December 6, and Sunday, December 7, 2014. The Englewood Sun Coast Pickleball Classic is being held at the Englewood Sports Complex, 1300 S. River Rd, Englewood, Florida where they are going to showcase their 6 brand new dedicated pickleball courts (the grand opening is October 25). These dedicated courts are located next to the tennis courts. We will convert 4 of the tennis courts to make a total of 14 pickleball courts for this event.

The Englewood Pickleball Club is anxious to host their first tournament. We have attached the Flyer and Registration Form to this email for your convenience. This will be a Skill/Age Tournament.

We hope to see all of you there! It will be a great weekend for pickleball!!

Sincerely,
Cindy and Nancy
Tournament Directors
PickleballSpecialties.com
 



Friday, October 24, 2014

Pickleball courts open in Englewood (FL)

Published October 24, 2014 - www.heraldtribune.com



SARASOTA COUNTY - Shattering stereotypes about how retirees enjoy themselves, a new sports craze is sweeping the area.

 The game is pickleball, a vigorous hybrid of badminton, pingpong and tennis that makes shuffleboard look about as exciting as, well, shuffleboard.

“Anybody that's played a racket sport can pick up this sport quickly,” said John Foard, 71, North Port's ambassador for the USA Pickleball Association. “If you've played any of them and get out on a pickleball court, you'll be hooked.”

CLICK HERE to read more.

Kings Point Pickleball Brings Home Senior Games Medals

Submitted by Louann Dubendorf, Kings Point, FL

Through the tough Pickleball competition, 95% humidity of Friday, downpours of Saturday and below 60 temps of Sunday, Kings Point’s Pickleball players took to the courts to again bring back pride and medals to their community. Every year Kings Point’s dedicated players pull out all the stops to practice each morning to prepare for tournament season. Hillsborough county Senior Games are the first games of the tournament season and Kings Point’s Pickleball players always put forward their best efforts to represent Kings Point in their home town.

This year Kings Point Pickleball tournament results included medals earned in all of the age groups that Kings Point’s players represented.

GOLD-Jane and Lynda

GOLD-John and Sam 

SILVER-Kelly and Louann

SILVER-Jack and Vinnie 

SILVER- Lewis and Jane 

BRONZE-Nadine and Connie 

BRONZE-Greg and Kelly 

BRONZE-Artie and Lynda 

BRONZE- Walter and Diane 

BRONZE-Irv and Nadine

Congratulations Kings Point’s Pickleball players!

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Players drive from The Villages for Pickleball Competition in Sun City Center, FL

Published October 18, 2014 - www.photonews247.com



SUN CITY CENTER, FL – The Pickleball Tournament in Sun City Center attracted players all the way from The Villages, Florida for a chance to win a medal and say hello to friends. The competition was part of the 34th Annual Tampa Bay Senior Games 2014.

The video features three teams that include Lewis & Jane from Kings Point. And from The Villages there is Mark & Kandy and Diane and Mark Bock.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Friday, October 17, 2014

Englewood pickleball courts to open

Sarasota County (FL) Parks and Recreation will host a grand opening celebration for its newly designed outdoor pickleball courts at the Englewood Sports Complex, 1300 S. River Road, at 10 a.m. Friday, October 24, 2014.

This free event will showcase the six permanent pickleball courts and feature demonstrations by the Englewood Pickleball Club. Loaner paddles and balls for recreational play and light refreshments will round out the event. The recognition ceremony is planned for 10-10:30 a.m., followed by open court time until noon. 

This event, open to the public, is a great opportunity to see this one-of-a-kind facility in Sarasota County, learn about this popular game and discover all that the Englewood Sports Complex has to offer.

For more information, call the Sarasota County Contact Center at 941-861-5000.

Davie renovates and improves pickleball courts

Published October 16, 2014 - www.sun-sentinel.com


Pickleball continues to grow in popularity, and Davie has taken notice.

The town recently renovated and improved the courts at Pine Island Park. The courts received a sports surface coating, each now has a tennis-style net attached to permanent posts, and the work expanded the number of courts from five to six.

"The courts were concrete gray with white court lines," said Phillip Holste, the town's development administrator. "Three of the courts were laid out east/west, and the afternoon sun is a problem with players. The courts will now be blue with white lines, and the surrounding area between and around the courts will be green. This color scheme adds a look of professionalism to the courts. In addition, all courts are laid north/south, which will eliminate any problems with players looking directly into the sun when playing."

CLICK HERE to read more.

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Connestee Pickleball Tournament Raises $8,000 – Connestee Falls NC

Published www.transylvaniatimes.com

On Sept. 26 and 27, pickleball players from North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia participated in an Advanced and Intermediate round robin tournament at the Connestee Falls pickleball facility. This was the fourth year of the tournament and funds raised have increased every year.

Pickleball, the fastest growing sport in the country, is a hybrid of tennis, racquetball, and ping pong. The court is about one third the size of a tennis court, the paddle is the size of a racquetball paddle, and the ball is similar to a Wiffle ball. The fast-paced game has become very popular with seniors because it provides lots of exercise but involves shorter running distances than tennis, and is consequently less strenuous for aging knees.
 
The $8,000 was raised through sponsorships by local businesses, registration fees for players, donations from Connestee Falls residents, and a raffle. The tournament was part of the Connestee Falls Student Scholarship Program that raised approximately $60,000 for Transylvania County students this year.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Pickleball in Peachtree City, GA

Pickleball demonstrations and free lessons will be given on October 12, 2014, at 2 p.m., at the Peachtree City Tennis Center on Planterra Way. Pickleball, the great game with the funny name, is coming to PTC. Members of the “Sun City Pickleball Club” will give demonstrations and free lessons. Pickleball is a cross between tennis, badminton, and ping pong and is easily played by all ages, indoors and outdoors. Peachtree City resident Joel Kinsman has been appointed Ambassador for the “PTC Pickleball League”. Any inquiries or to RSVP, contact Joel at PTCpickleball@aol.com or call 770-487-0071.

Pickleball taught at the NC Recreation and Parks Annual Conference


During Sept. 21 – 23, the North Carolina Recreation and Parks Association held their Annual Conference in Wilmington, North Carolina. Parks and Recreation directors, program leaders and staff from across the state gathered for this three day event. Calvin Vaughn, Guilford County Ambassador conducted two “Pickleball for All” sessions at the conference. Session One focused on how to start, fund, sustain and provided an introduction to the fundamentals of a Pickleball Program. Session Two was a hands-on demo of the game. The demo session was set up in the vendor main hall where 100s of parks and recreation staff, vendors and convention staff got to watch and participate. One NC Recreation and Parks Board Member said, “Pickleball was the highlight and one of the more exciting parts of the conference.” Many were excited about implementing Pickleball into their programming. Joe Borrelli, the NC Eastern Regional District Ambassador was a great help in providing support to Calvin and teaching beginners during both sessions.

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Winter Garden Pickleball Doubles Tournament

Winter Garden, Florida is having its first Pickleball Tournament. Dates for the tournament are November 8, 9 2014.  On-line registration is open and can be accessed by going to www.pickleballspecialties.com tournament page and click the Register Now button for the Winter Garden tournament.

This will be an age level/skill tournament. We are looking forward to a great weekend of Pickleball in Winter Garden!   Hope to see all of you there!

Cindy and Nancy
Tournament Directors



Thursday, September 25, 2014

Pickleball Craze Rolls into Alpharetta (GA)

Published September 25, 2014 - http://patch.com/georgia/alpharetta/pickleball-craze-rolls-alpharetta


 
The pickleball passion has now reached the city of Alpharetta.

This sport, which is growing in popularity due to its easy learning curve, is a combination of tennis, badminton and Ping-Pong and can be played by residents of all ages.

Alpharetta Recreation and Parks Department will offer pickleball at the Wills Park Recreation Center on Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m. through 2 p.m. The center sits at 11925 Wills Road.

Everyone is welcome to participate in this free program and equipment will be provided for athletes.

For more information, call 678-297-6140 or activeadults@alpharetta.ga.us.

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Charlotte Area Expands Indoor Pickleball

Submitted by Robert Nibarger, District Ambassador, Piedmont District - North Carolina

Charlotte area pickleball enthusiasts now have two new indoor pickleball venues with the expansion of pickleball to Carolina Courts (see below). Each of the two Carolina Courts facilities will begin pickleball on November 3, 2014. Each facility will feature 4 indoor courts and will offer pickleball from Monday thru Friday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. In addition to regular weekly play, Carolina Courts will host two pickleball tournaments. The first, the Holiday Smash Round Robin, is scheduled for November 22nd. The second tournament will be the USAPA Atlantic South Regional and will occur in March of 2015. If you would like additional information, please check their web site at http://www.carolinacourts.com or the USAPA tournament link at www.usapa.org. North Carolina Ambassadors Joe Borelli, Joannah Michael, Dan Kiurski and Bob Nibarger are tournament hosts. Please email ncpickleball@aol.com for more information.





Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Pickleball

Published September 22, 2014 - www.wsvn.com
 
There's a new sport that's part tennis, part ping-pong and a whole lot of fun. It's called pickleball, and it's a real hit in South Florida. Deco's Donovan Campbell got himself in a real pickle and took a swing at the story.

Jennifer Arocha: "I thought it was a weird sport, and it had a really weird name."

Regardless of the name, the pickle ball craze is here to stay.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Summer's Last Blast

Submitted by Ann Earley, Ambassador, North Georgia


For the first time, we started the tournament on Friday with open play from 2 PM until 6 PM. At 6:30 PM Tom & I sponsored a Mexican buffet catered by Tecali Grille of Canton and entertainment by "Tunes by Toni". A few players enjoyed the pool and everyone enjoyed the "'60s music" and karaoke. A "flash mob" composed of Ann Earley, Pat Dunn, Katie Brown, and Carole Hess in Sheriff Joe Arpaio pink prison boxers assembled around the pool singing "Pickleball Rock" . A good time was had by all! 

On Saturday morning, registration began at 8 a.m. with players from South Dakota, New Mexico, Philadelphia, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, and North Carolina,  As we have for the past eight years,  we gave each player a long sleeve T-shirt with our tournament logo, breakfast fruit, water, and lunch from Scott Boys BBQ of Macedonia.

Our Opening Ceremony began at 9:30 a.m. with the Cadets of the Sky Patriots Leadership Camp featuring the Troops of Fort Blitz Academy lead by Commander Santiago Santana.  The Middle School cadets performed a gun drill and reenactment of the Iwo Jima Memorial before their color guard presented the flag. The Creekview High School band led by Stephen McCarthy played the National Anthem, then the games began! 

The round robin format for Saturday had three flights of 4.5+ skill level players.  Winners were: Mitch Zorotovich, Jeff Carlson, and Cliff Grabowski. On Saturday morning, three flights of 3.5-4.0 skill level players played followed by another three flights at 1:30 p.m. Winners were: Jim Kray, Jim Handberry, and Doug Hale.  Afternoon flight winners were Steve Connor, Doug Finley, and Carrie Palmer.

First place winners didn't receive gold medals, but instead $50.00 gift cards to the Olive Garden/Longhorn Steaks Restaurant group.

Rodney and Karen Grubbs of Pickleball Rocks had a booth with all of their paddles, clothing, etc. in the stable hallway along with a table display of Pickleball jewelry by Cindy Moore. The North GA Pickleball Club  displayed their "Onesies", towels, and pink boxers to benefit various charities. The new Pickleball/Tennis ladies sports apparel designer Lillian Reid of Doue' also displayed several racks of her new Fall line in the piano studio. 

We appreciate all the players who attended the tournament and club members who volunteered their time and energy. See you next year!
 
CLICK HERE to view all photos.
 

     

 

Thursday, September 18, 2014

New Charlotte Pickleball Venue

Submitted by Robert Nibarger, District Ambassador, Piedmont District - North Carolina


This past Saturday, September 13th, Olde Providence Racquet Club, located in Charlotte, NC,
launched their Pickleball Opening Day. The event turned out to be a huge success. We had snacks (including pickles donated by Mt. Olive), free beer, sunshine, and more than 50 people in attendance. We arranged for four members of the USAPA to come to OPRC and educate the staff and members of the club about the fastest growing sport in the country, Pickleball. They gave us a brief explanation about the history of the game, the rules and strategy of the game, and how the game is scored. Then they played out some points so our members could see the game in real time action. After that, it was time for everyone to play! Members were split into groups and sent to a court where they rotated playing games to 11. Each court had an experienced Pickleball player guiding them through the playing and scoring process. It only took a few games before our members began to grasp the game quite well. After that, it was all laughs, high-fives, and trash talk. After Saturday’s success, we are confident that Pickleball is going to continue its growth here at Olde Providence Racquet Club.
 

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Alpharetta (GA) Introduces Pickleball Program

Released on: Thursday, September 11, 2014 - www.alpharetta.ga.us

The “Pickleball” passion has now reached the City of Alpharetta. This trending sport is a combination of tennis, badminton and Ping-Pong, all rolled up in one and designed to be played by all ages.

The City of Alpharetta Recreation and Parks Department will offer Pickleball at the Wills Park Recreation Center on Tuesdays from 9:30 AM through 2:00 PM beginning September 23. Everyone is welcome to participate in this free program. Equipment is provided.

For information: 678-297-6140 or activeadults@alpharetta.ga.us.

Monday, September 8, 2014

Pompano Beach Pickleball Showcase

Submitted by Mitchell Ball, Ambassador, South Florida


We had a great turnout despite the bad weather. Over 30 people attended with 5 Instructors teaching the sport of Pickleball. I want to thank Barbie, Jan and Michael and Jennifer, Lowell, Dennis, Alex and Sonia, and most importantly the City of Pompano Beach for building 5 Permanent Pickleball Courts.

CLICK HERE to view more photos.



Pickleball Improv

By Bob Nibarger – USAPA District Ambassador, North Carolina


My wife and I are traveling throughout the Western states this summer and I have been able to play Pickleball in most every state, at least up until now. We are in Torrey, UT, and there is no pickleball for miles. Yes, there are pickleball dead zones in the U.S. But wait....there are parking lots, basketball courts and other compacted services. Yes, pickleball is alive (well in the abbreviated and creative sense, of course). All it takes is some creativity and the game can go on. In this case, if I don’t have the room for or want to set up a portable net, I simply set up two bicycles for a net (set seats to 34 inches), put a small rope or tape between the bike seats for a net, carve out a kitchen area with chalk and I have an instant “dink court." The dink game begins with a serve that must land over the net into the no volley zone (or kitchen) of your opponent. The opponent must return the ball into the kitchen and play goes back and forth in the kitchen until the point is won. We play regular games to 11. Games can be modified to be face-to-face dinking, cross-forehand dinks, cross-backhand dinks, and so forth. If you want to shorten the game, you can play “rally scoring," meaning a point is scored on each volley by either player who wins the point. So, in summary, all you need is a tape measure or pre-measured ropes to measure boundaries for a kitchen, kid’s playground chalk, a parking lot or basketball court, and two bicycles and something for a string net. Now you have an instant “dink court." You will be amazed how quickly you can be playing. When finished, you can then take a bicycle ride to keep your legs in shape. Hope this tip helps you keep in shape while traveling. I will see you on the court.

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Pompano Beach (FL) Pickleball Showcase

A Pickleball Showcase will be presented at the Pompano Beach Community Park, South Pavilion, on Saturday, September 6, 2014, from 4 to 6 p.m.  The park is located at 820 NE 18th Ave. (N.E. 10th St. & U.S. Highway 1). 

The park has five (5) permanent Pickleball courts.



The Showcase is presented by South Florida Pickleball and the City of Pompano Beach.

For more information, please contact Mitchell Ball, South Florida Ambassador, at 786-259-4711.


 

Monday, September 1, 2014

Myrtle Beach (SC) Seaside Classic Deadline Approaching!

Hi to all Pickleball Players,

The Myrtle Beach Seaside Classic is being held on Friday, September 26 and Saturday, September 27, 2014. There will also be a Dinner/Dance on Thursday night, September 25, which will have a DJ, a great menu, and lots of great door prizes!

The mail-in deadline for this tournament is September 8 and the on-line deadline is September 14. You may go to www.pickleballspecialties.com and go to the tournament page and there is a Register Now button for on-line registration. There are also forms that you can print and mail.

We hope that you will join us for two days of great pickleball! The tournament is an outdoor tournament and we will use the yellow Dura ball. You will all enjoy the hospitality of the Myrtle Beach players, volunteers, and recreation staff. All entrants will receive specific tournament information by email after the registration deadline.

We look forward to seeing you there!!

Cindy and Nancy
Tournament Directors





 

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Greensboro (NC) Hosting Inaugural Summer Pickleball Classic

CLICK HERE for the story.

West Cobb Senior Center to have pickleball demonstration Sept. 17

Published August 28, 2014 - www.mdjonline.com

The West Cobb Senior Center, 4915 Dallas Highway in Powder Springs, GA, will have a pickleball demonstration for seniors ages 55-plus from 11:30 a.m. Participants can learn, play and be part of the action as the Lost Mountain Tennis Center offers their newly lined courts to the center for this demonstration.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Sunday, August 24, 2014

Sun City Peachtree (GA) Pickleball Club will host 2014 Invitational Tournament

The Sun City Peachtree Pickleball Club will be hosting the 2014 Peachtree Invitational Pickleball Tournament on Friday October 3rd, 2014.

Pickleball, one of the fastest growing sports in America, will be showcased during this Invitational Tournament with over 50 players from Sun City Peachtree, Del Webb at Lake Oconee, and Del Webb Village at Deaton Creek.

Sunday, August 17, 2014

Aiken’s pickleball players show improved play

Published August 16, 2014 -  www.aikenstandard.com

Not only is pickleball growing in Aiken, but the players here are getting better at the sport.

Stan Courtnay, athletic program coordinator for the City of Aiken Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, pointed to the multiple local players that had already won medals at the Palmetto Doubles Invitational Pickleball Tournament by Saturday afternoon. Only one homegrown player picked up a medal a year ago, and there were still plenty more to be won during the event, which continues today at the H. Odell Weeks Activities Center.
Read more: Aiken’s pickleball players show improved play | Aiken Standard 

Thursday, August 14, 2014

A pickleball star in our midst… uh, what’s pickleball?

Published August 13, 2014 - http://fortmyers.floridaweekly.com

At 19, Kyle Yates has a lot going for him. The Cypress Lake High School alumnus is a biology major already in his junior year at the University of Florida. He works part-time for his stepfather, Larry Scott, at a veterinary clinic.

And he’s one of the best in the country in his sport. Nevermind that it’s a sport not many people know about.

Mr. Yates, who won’t turn 20 until April, is rated No. 2 in the country in Pickleball. And according to Mark Friedenberg, a Seattle Pickleball expert, founder of the USA Pickleball Association and author of “The Official Pickleball Handbook,” Mr. Yates can get better yet. 

“Being the best in the country?” Mr. Friedenberg wrote in an email. “He can certainly become the best!”

CLICK HERE to read more.
 
 

Monday, August 11, 2014

Inaugural Summer Pickleball Classic Set for August 28-30

The Greensboro (NC) Parks and Recreation Department is hosting the inaugural Greensboro Summer Pickleball Classic August 28-30 at the Greensboro Sportsplex, 2400 16th Street. Pickleball is often described as a combination of tennis, badminton, and racquetball, and this tournament marks the first of its kind in Greensboro. Named one of the fastest growing sports in America by Athletic Business Magazine, participants are expected from around the state and southeast. The event is sponsored by Pickleball Central and Mt. Olive Pickles, who will also provide giveaways to tournament participants.

The tournament will consist of both men’s and women’s doubles and mixed doubles in the 35-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70+ age ranges. The tournament begins Thursday, August 28 with a practice session from 12 noon to 6 pm. Tournament play starts Friday, August 29 at 9 am. To register, go online at www.greensborosportsplex.com or visit the Sportsplex. For more information, contact James Goodyear at 336-373-3280.

Sunday, August 10, 2014

NORTH CAROLINA HOLIDAY SMASH!

ROUND ROBIN PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT
(Men’s, Women’s and Mixed Doubles)
& FOOD DRIVE

Saturday, November 22, 2014

Hosted by: Carolina Courts (12 Indoor Courts)
24 SW Spring St., Concord, NC 28025 www.carolinacourts.com

$35 Per Person (Flat Fee. Includes 1 or 2 Events) 
Registration Deadline: Wed., Oct. 15, 2014 or until filled 

Social Meet/Dine on Friday, November 21 at 6:30 PM
(Location to be Announced) 

Bring a non-perishable food item and you will be entered to win a door prize.
(Otherwise tickets are a dollar each.)

CLICK HERE for more information and registration form.

Saturday, August 9, 2014

Game on! It's Pickle-ball!

Published August 6, 2014 - www.tvilletimes.com

THOMASVILLE — Ann Whitt had never even heard of Pickle-ball when she discovered the sport during a recent trip to Florida. Now she's pretty much addicted to it.

"I joined the Thomasville Y because they have Pickle-ball," said Debbie Gordon, one of 12 participants in bi-weekly morning Pickle-ball sessions at the Tom A. Finch Community YMCA.

Petra Halker wasn't the least bit stressed over taking up a new sport.

"We're all new at it," she said. "I used to play tennis and it sort of transfers over. It's active for sure."

CLICK HERE to read more.


Brevard Health And Racquet Club Adds Pickleball – Brevard NC

Published August 7, 2014 - www.transylvaniatimes.com

Although almost 50 years-old people may have never heard of the game called "pickleball," the US Pickleball Association estimates between 40-50,000 people worldwide are playing.

Pickleball was introduced in 1965 on Bainbridge Island near Seattle as a backyard family game on a badminton sized court (44' X 20') with a 34-inch net. The inventors used wooden paddles and a whiffle ball that happened to belong to the family cocker spaniel, Pickles. The story goes that the dog would chase after errant balls and it became known as "Pickles' ball"...thus the name.


Mike and Josh Vandergrift prepare the lines of one of the outdoor pickleball courts. The courts are now open for play. Reservations can be made for 1.5-hour sessions. Anyone is invited to view the facility, ask for information or request a lesson.
Mike and Josh Vandergrift prepare the lines of one of the outdoor pickleball courts. The courts are now open for play. Reservations can be made for 1.5-hour sessions. Anyone is invited to view the facility, ask for information or request a lesson. (Courtesy photo)

The sport is a mixture of table tennis, paddle tennis, badminton and tennis. It is played with a paddle about 8 inches wide and 15 inches long, including the handle, faced with plywood, graphite or composite. The ball is a perforated plastic ball about the size of a tennis ball.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Saturday, August 2, 2014

Pickleball Today in Richmond Hill, GA

Come out and try the FASTEST GROWING SPORT IN THE NATION!!!!  *PICKLEBALL*

It's for ALL ages 5-85!!!!

It's a cross between tennis and ping pong. Check out this youtube video to see what it's all about. 

We will be hosting our FIRST Pickle ball demo.

SAT AUG 2nd at 12:30 pm in the Richmond Hill Gym, 508 Timber Trail.

Come out and give it a try. We'd love to have enough interest to start regular pickle ball games every week!!!

Friday, August 1, 2014

Doubles Pickleball Tournament in Dunwoody, GA

September 14, 2014
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
MJCCA-Zaban Park

5342 Tilly Mill Road
Dunwoody, Georgia 30338


Beat the end of summer heat at our Bi-Annual Pickleball Tournament! Perfect for players of all ages and skill levels, the tournament will be grouped by skill level. Players may register as doubles teams, and our event organizers will also pair up registered singles. Tournament consists of three groupings, with a guaranteed minimum of four games per grouping. The top teams advance for a chance to compete for the championship. Off the court, the MJCCA invites all registered pickleball players to take advantage of our other facilities for the day. Snacks and beverages are provided.

Advanced registration required.

PRICE:
Member: $15.00
Non-Member: $25.00
Open to the Community
CLICK HERE for more information and to register.
 

Thursday, July 31, 2014

Pinehurst Pickleball Association Doubles Tournament

Join us for the 1st Pickleball tournament hosted by Pinehurst Resort & Country Club, September 18-20, 2014! Events include Men’s 40+, 60+ and 70+ Doubles; Women’s 40+, 60+ and 70+ Doubles; Mixed 40+, 60+, 70+ Doubles. Competition will take place at the Pickleball Courts located on Pinehurst No. 6 at 97 Juniper Creek Blvd. in Pinehurst, NC. CLICK HERE for complete information and the registration form.

Gulf Breeze latest to tackle Pickleball

Published July 30, 2014 - www.pnj.com

Sure, I snickered when the bosses assigned me a story on Pickleball, a racquet game described as a cross between badminton, tennis and ping pong.

And yes, I rolled my eyes when I was told that the fast-growing, goofy-named game is really, really popular among the 50-plus set.

"There are 104 Pickleball courts in the Villages," one player said, referring to the mammoth retirement Shangri-la near Ocala.

Yay, I thought. This is going to be as exciting as shuffleboard or four-square. And just as fast.

Then I went to the Gulf Breeze Community Center and played a few games with some of the more experienced Pickleball players.

I'm not snickering now.
 
CLICK HERE to read more.
 

Pickleball Social Night growing in popularity at city recreation centers

Published July 30, 2014 - www.pineapplenewspaper.com


The Pickleball craze combining the best of badminton, racquetball and tennis is becoming popular for residents of all ages and abilities at Pompey Park Recreation Center and Delray Beach Community Center. Pickleball is a fun and active racquet game. The game can be played indoors or outdoors and is traditionally played on a badminton size court with a net similar to what’s found in tennis but lowered to just under 3 feet. Pickleball players use a wooden paddle or hard plastic paddle to hit a ball similar to a plastic wiffle ball, serve underhand and allow the ball to bounce once on the opposing player’s side before being returned.

“The Pickleball at Pompey Park is great because it’s social open play matching up players of all skill levels. We have four courts of games playing simultaneously,” said Delray Beach resident and Pickleball aficionado Merrill Beveridge.

Beveridge compares the game to tennis but said it’s less strenuous on her body. She said the court is about one-third the size of a tennis court and that games are played to 11 points with the winner having to win by two.

Social Pickleball Night is currently held Pompey Park Recreation Center, 1102 NW Second St., while summer camps are in session. Cost is free at this time. Starting August 18, Pickleball will move to a timeslot from 8-11a.m., Monday to Friday at Pompey Park. On August 23, a Saturday 1-4p.m. Pickleball schedule will also open at Pompey Park. Players can bring their own Pickleball racquet or one will be provided by staff.

CLICK HERE to read more.