Tuesday, September 23, 2014

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!
 
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