Friday, February 28, 2014

Park City in Davie Pickleball Demo/Clinic 2/26/2014

Submitted by Mitchell Ball, Ambassador, South Florida

Over 30 people attended the Park City, Davie FL Pickleball Demo/Clinic. Multi-Cultural from America to French to Spanish learned how to play pickleball.

Thank you Randi Greenberg for your help doing this Demo.

Miami Beach JCC Pickleball Demo/Clinic 2/27/14

Submitted by Mitchell Ball, Ambassador, South Florida

Over 15 people attended the 1st Pickleball Demo/Clinic in a JCC in South Florida. People learned how to play Pickleball and want it to come to the JCC as soon as possible.

I want to thank Barbara Fox(USAPA member) and Lowell Bath for their help to make this a great success.
 

Tanglewood Picklers stay undefeated

February 28, 2014 - www.newssun.com



On Wednesday, Feb. 26, Lake Ashton of Lake Wales played at Tanglewood in the final match of the South Central Florida Pickleball League regular season.

Tanglewood came out on top 49-18 to finish an undefeated season in the five-team league.

Each team is comprised of four pairs ranked from A to D.

They then play a round-robin series with more points being awarded for games against the most evenly matched teams.

Tanglewood’s D team was anchored by Tom Stadler who played with three partners during the day.

Against Lake Ashton’s top team, Stadler and Dave Werry put up a strong fight, losing two games to one.

Partnered with Betty Schleis, Stadler won a match then finished the day winning the final two matches paired with Walt Snyder.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Monday, February 24, 2014

Pickleball craze hits Pompano Beach; city needs help monitoring parks

February 24, 2014 - www.thepelicanpaper.com

By Michael d’Oliveira

Pelican staff

Pompano Beach – This city is the newest convert to the pickleball craze sweeping South Florida.

Next week, city workers will begin dismantling the fences surrounding the roller hockey rink in Pompano Community Park. In its place will be new basketball and pickleball courts. “We’re looking to fit anywhere from two to three pickleball courts, maybe more,” said Jonathan Nasser, Pompano Beach recreation supervisor. The former rink will also include four permanent basketball nets on two courts, specifically built lower for young children. “It’s very simple to set-up and break down [and switch between basketball and pickleball],” said Nasser. “It could be open within a month if everything falls into place.”

Pickleball, supposedly invented in Washington in 1965 by a group of children who named the sport after their dog “Pickle,” is played on a badminton-size court, with a tennis net, a racquet and a wiffle ball.

READ MORE...

Pickleball’game to make local debut in Cutler Bay

By Gary Alan Ruse - Date posted: February 19, 2014 - www.communitynewspapers.com

A relatively new sport of special interest to seniors has made its way to South Florida and will be part of Cutler Bay’s Senior Games in March. A Pickleball Demo/Clinic will take place on Saturday, Feb, 22, 8-10:30 a.m., on the multipurpose tennis courts at Saga Bay Park.

A combination of three sports (tennis, ping pong and badminton), Pickleball is described as “the fastest growing adult sport in the country today” with more than 250,000 members so far and more each week.

Mitchell Ball, who lives in the Hallandale/Hollywood area, is bringing the sport to Greater Miami for the first time. His enthusiasm for the game, already popular in other cities, led him to want to introduce it here.

CLICK HERE to see more.

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Greetings from the City of Largo!

I am excited to announce beginning in March a new pickleball league will be played at Southwest Complex located at 13120 Vonn Rd. Largo, FL 33774. To "kickoff" the league the Southwest Complex will be having a FREE clinic and round robin tournament on Wednesday, February 26th from 11 am - 1 pm. All skill levels are welcome to participate. Silver Sneaker members will be allowed to play for free every week.

We look forward to seeing you next week.

Mike Croft
City of Largo
Southwest Complex Recreation Manager
mcroft@largo.com
Phone: 727-518-3125 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 727-518-3125 FREE  end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Fax:727-518-3074

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Pickleball tourney this weekend

February 17, 2014 - www.marcoislandflorida.com

Mike Welter had no idea what he was in for when he volunteered to help out at the annual Lee County Pickleball championship.

Five years later, the 61-year-old has traveled the country playing in tournaments and proudly holds Florida and South Dakota state pickleball titles in his age group.

“I’ll tell you one thing, it’s addicting,” said Welter, who has competed in tournaments in Arizona, New York, South Dakota, South Carolina and Florida. “I took one class, hung around and beat the instructor. I have been playing ever since.”

CLICK HERE to read more.

Pickleball gaining popularity all across South Florida

February 18, 2014 - www.sun-sentinel.com

It wasn't exactly love at first sight, but Delray Beach residents Josh and Harriet Kalin fell in love with a unique paddle sport that combines elements of badminton, tennis, racketball and table tennis, a game that few people in southeastern Florida had ever heard of.

Now, two years later, the Kalins have become the pied pipers of pickleball. With their nurturing of the sport, play is now offered at sites from West Palm Beach to Boca Raton.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Pickelball game a hit in Manatee County

February 18, 2014 - www.bradenton.com

Toni Teasdale can't get enough of Pickleball, a racquet game she plays six days a week at the Anna Maria Island Community Center. A favorite of seniors, the fast-growing sport is a cross between tennis, ping-pong and badminton.
"We try not to let a day go by without playing," said Teasdale, whose husband, Jim, is equally passionate about pickleball.

"It can be a very fast game - that ball is just zipping back and forth. But for beginners and people who aren't athletic, it doesn't have to be fast," she said.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Monday, February 17, 2014

Introduction To Pickleball To Be Held Tuesday

www.times-herald.com, February 16, 2014, Newnan, GA

Fred Fahy was literally in a pickle — a pickleball pickle.
After moving north from Florida, as much to be closer to family including his granddaughters, one of which Northgate High soccer player Emily Yarbrough, Fahy found himself without access to a lesser-known sport inside Georgia.
So Fahy did the next best thing. He found a way to help bring it to Coweta County.
After obtaining a grant from the United States Pickleball Association for the purchase of equipment and contacting the Coweta Recreation Department, Fahy will host an introductory meeting on Tuesday at 10 a.m. at the facility’s gym at the Temple Ave./Hospital Road complex with hopes of seeing the tennis/badminton hybrid flourish in this area as well.

Friday, February 14, 2014





Saturday, March 1 2014: Men’s  and Woman's Division

Sunday, March 2 2014: Mixed Division 

10am-5pm Both Days (or until finish) 

$10 per player - $5 for any additional division. 

 Age Divisions* 50  ans under,  51-64,  65 and over

 *Depending on amount of sign-ups and agreement by all participants, format may be changed to “Open”.

 To sign up, please visit the front desk at the New Port Richey Recreation and Aquatic Center or call 727-841-4560

CLICK HERE for Registration Form


Community welcomes Sun 'n Lake's remodeled tennis, pickleball courts 

www.highlandstoday.com, February 13, 2013 

SEBRING - Judy Greve is on a three-month pickleball vacation in Florida from Kansas City, Mo.
Her goal is to play the game - described as a cross between ping-pong and tennis - most days she is here, even though she has to drive from Lake Placid to Sun 'n Lake.
Her destination is the newly remodeled pickleball and tennis courts in Sun 'n Lake, which apparently is one of only two public pickleball courts in Highlands County and can be used by non-Sun 'n Lake residents for a fee.
"This opens up pickleball to the whole county," said pickleball enthusiast and teacher Linda Kramer, during some downtime at the new courts by the Island View Restaurant.
Greve and Kramer are one of a few tennis and pickleball players making use of the newly renovated courts, redone after a $250,000 project.
There are four tennis courts and eight courts for pickleball players, said Sun 'n Lake board of supervisors president Dick Miller.
CLICK HERE to read more. 

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Hillsborough County Indoor Pickleball Championships

Submitted by Russell Elefterion
USAPA Ambassador, Tampa, FL

Thank you for participating in last year's inaugural Hillsborough County Indoor Pickleball Championships at All People's Life Center.  I want to invite you and all your pickleball friends to this year's tournament being held on Thursday, April 10th and Friday, April 11th, 2014  at the same site (All People's Life Center-6105 E. Sligh Ave-Tampa).

This year's tournament will include the following improvements based on player evaluations:

Sanctioned Tier-4 USAPA Tournament
Dry-fit tournament shirts to all first place winners (Of course all players will receive t-shirts)
Ability levels from 2.5-3.0, 3.5-4.0 and 4.5-5.0
USAPA Pre-Certified Officials (A first for any tournament in the USA)!!!!
All Proceeds benefiting the "Strongdogs" Men's USA Wheelchair Basketball Team!
Sponsorship by Hillsborough County "Friends of the County Parks"
Round Robin Games to 11 points!!! (which means you'll play at least 4-6 teams)!!!
Metals & Awards 1st-3rd place in each division


Last year's tournament had 114 players participating and we hope to have even more playing this year!  Play will be:
Thursday 9am-12noon   Women's Doubles
Thursday 1pm-4pm         Men's Doubles
Friday       9am-2pm         Mixed Doubles

Attached is our Flier and Registration form.  If you have any questions simply email me back!

Happy Pickling!


Russell Elefterion
Program Specialist-Seniors
Parks, Recreation & Conservation
Hillsborough County BOCC





Friday, February 7, 2014

In a pickle - tourney starts Thursday

February 7, 2014 - www.thedestinlog.com
 
The City of Destin will be hosting a Destin Pickleball Classic at the Destin Community Center on Feb. 13-15 for adults age 50 and older.

Games start at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday for Women’s Doubles and 11:30 a.m. on Friday for Mixed Doubles and Men’s Doubles.
CLICK HERE to read more.
 

Pickleball comes to Miami Beach — and you don’t need pickles to play!

February 7, 2014 - www.miamiherald.com

Meet a group of ladies who stay out of the kitchen — at least when they’re playing pickleball.

You read that right: pickleball. It’s a sport that’s gaining popularity from Seattle to Mumbai, despite its name and rules.

Rena Rosenfeld will forgive you if you’ve never heard of pickleball. And then, she’ll recruit you to play. Rosenfeld is on a mission to bring the sport to Miami Beach, which may mark the first time pickleball breaks into Miami-Dade County.

CLICK HERE to read more.

The Players Pickleball Tournament @ Stonecrest, Summerfield, FL

 The Players Pickleball Tournament @ Stonecrest will be held March 7,8, and 9 at the Stonecrest Community in Summerfield, Florida.  It is a skill/age tournament.  Men and Women's singles will be on Friday, March 7.  Men and Women's Doubles will be on Saturday, March 8 and Mixed Doubles will be held on Sunday, March 9
 
Registrations must be postmarked by Saturday, February 22 and on-line registration will close on Wednesday, February 26, 2014.  The link for the on-line registration is:  http://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=2121300
 
We hope to see you there!
 
Cindy Eddleman
Nancy Meyer
 
Tournament Directors

Pickleball in Saga Bay in the Town of Cutler Bay

Submitted by Mitchell Ball, Ambassador, South Florida

Pickleball has finally made it down to Miami, Florida to the Town of Cutler Bay, Florida. Saga Bay Park of Cutler Bay is hosting the 1st Miami location of Pickleball Demo/Clinic in history of Miami-Dade. The location is also hosting the Cutler Bay Senior Games for Pickleball from March 17-22, 2014.

The Pickleball Demo/Clinic will be on Saturday February 22, 2014 at 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on the multipurpose tennis courts for Pickleball. Pickleball is a combination of three sports (tennis, ping pong and badminton). Actually it is the fastest growing adult sport in the country today. It has over 250,000 members and is growing weekly.

Come learn what Pickleball is all about!
· Rules
· Forehand
· Backhand
· Serve
· Strategies

For more info about the Pickleball Demo/Clinic call Mitchell Ball at 786-259-4711.

Pickleball Senior Games
March 18th, 2014
Pickleball – Singles &; Doubles, 9:30 AM
Location: Saga Bay Park

CLICK HERE for Senior Games Registration.

CLICK HERE for Senior Games Flyer.

CLICK HERE for Rules and Schedule.


www.highlandstoday.com Feb. 7, 2014, Sebring, FL

More than 100 pickleball players from south Central Florida are expected to be at Tanglewood for the second annual Winter Classic on Feb. 15-16.
The tournament is sponsored by Edward Jones/Alan J. Holmes.
There will be men's, women's and mixed doubles competitions with players grouped according to ability levels within age groupings.
Ratings go from a relative beginner at 2.5 to an extremely skilled player at level 5.0.
At the 2.5 and 3.0 skill levels, there will be just two age groups; 35 to 64 and over 65.
At levels 3.5, 4.0 and 4.5 the competition will be broken into three divisions; 35-49, 50-64 and 65+. At the 5.0 level the youngest age category will be from 19 to 49 years of age.
The $35 registration fee covers all games and a T-shirt.
- See more at: http://highlandstoday.com/pickleball-tourney-on-tap-20140207/#sthash.dWznKfBm.dpuf

Pickleball Tournament at Sanibel Recreation Center

February 6, 2014, www.island-reporter.com

 Sanibel, FL
Join us on Friday, Feb. 14 or 28 at 11:30 a.m. for the Healthy Heart Month Pickleball Tournament. This event is open to all players 18 years of age and over. To participate please pick up a registration form at the Sanibel Recreation Center to complete and return by Wednesday, Feb. 12.
Can't make the tournament or want to learn how to play pickleball? Come out to the recreation center on Wednesdays from 5-7 p.m. or Saturdays from 1-3 p.m. for pickup pickleball. All skill levels are welcome. Non-skid, closed-toe shoes are required. This activity is for ages 14 and up. The cost of this program is included with your daily, weekly, six-month or annual Sanibel Recreation Center membership. Day pass is required for non-members.
For more information, contact the Sanibel Recreation Center.
The Sanibel Recreation Center is located at 3880 Sanibel-Captiva Road. Daily, weekly and annual memberships are available. For more information call the Sanibel Recreation Center at 472-0345 or visit our web site at mysanibel.com.
- See more at: http://www.island-reporter.com/page/content.detail/id/523250/Pickleball-Tournament-at-Sanibel-Recreation-Center.html?nav=5053#sthash.irmEysJg.dpuf

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Online Registration Open Now for Cypress Cove Tournament

Submitted by Mike Sullivan

Kissimmee, FL (February 5, 2014) -- Registration for all players is now open for the First Annual Cypress Cove International Nudist Pickleball Open, being held March 1-2, 2014 here in Kissimmee at Cypress Cove Nudist Resort and Spa.

Made possible by the recent re-purposing of one tennis court into four dedicated, regulation Pickleball courts, this new tournament will be the sixth annual spring event for Pickleball players held at the Cove since the game took hold in 2008. With the growth in participation at prior tournaments, the event is expanding from one day to two, with a full day of preliminary qualification play on Saturday, March 1, followed by the double-elimination finals on Sunday, March 2.

Pickleball players coming in for the tournament can make a great weekend of it at Cypress Cove. Besides the two days of exciting play, other events centered around the tournament include a cocktail reception, dinner and dance at Lakeside Restaurant on Saturday night, and post-tournament pool parties both Saturday and Sunday afternoons after the action ends on the courts.

Cypress Cove owner Ted Hadley said, “It’s been amazing to watch the growth of Pickleball here at Cypress Cove, from nothing in 2008 to many, many enthusiastic players year-round now. With our new courts and the expansion of this new 2-day spring tournament, we plan to make Cypress Cove the world’s premier destination for nudist Pickleball players!”

“Many Cypress Cove visitors discover Pickleball for the first time when they see us playing every day of the week,” said Mike Sullivan, a Cypress Cove resident and an avid player, and the director of the new tournament. "We encourage them to give it a try, since it’s so quick to learn and easy to play, and they soon become ‘hooked’ on the game. Virtually everyone who tries it loves it, which is why the sport is growing so fast here and everywhere it is introduced.”

“The new 2-day tournament at Cypress Cove this spring will be the biggest-ever Pickleball event at any nudist resort anywhere in the world,” Sullivan said. “We expect dozens of players from around the region and from as far away as Europe to compete and enjoy a delightful weekend of great Pickleball competition at the resort."

Pickleball is played every day of the week at Cypress Cove. Annual tournaments have been held every year since 2008, most recently attracting four dozen competitors in March, 2013. The newly-expanded courts, with capacity to accommodate 30 games per hour, make it possible to host a much larger number of tournament players and still have plenty of time later in the afternoon for relaxing by the pool, sunning and enjoying all the other outstanding amenities Cypress Cove has to offer.

Tournament registration is open now to players from intermediate skill levels and up. For complete details, see the tournament website at https://sites.google.com/site/ccinpo

For more information on Pickleball at Cypress Cove, write to pickleball@me.com or click the Pickleball link on the Cypress Cove home page at www.cypresscoveresort.com.