Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Pickleball Tournament Raises Money For Sharing House – Connestee Falls NC

Published December 24, 2016 - www.transylvaniatimes.com

Recently, more than 30 players participated in a pickleball fundraiser at the Connestee Falls Pickleball facility. The event raised nearly $2,500 and two truckloads of warm winter clothes and blankets for Sharing House, a local ministry that provides food, clothing and assistance for neighbors in need.

Broad Street Wines donated a gift box of wine that was raffled off and won by Dennis and Rita Shardell.

Earlier this fall, the Connestee Falls Pickleball club hosted a tournament that was part of the 26th Annual CF Scholarship Fund Program. The Pickleball tournament raised about $9,000 of the more than $70,000 that will be used this year to provide college scholarships for Transylvania County High School students.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Sunday, December 20, 2015

News from West Palm Beach, Florida

Submitted by Dick Freshley, Ambassador, Palm Beach County, FL

Ibis Country Club (a private community) which has always been big into tennis has now ventured into Pickleball. They have just completed building four new courts custom built just for Pickleball. Jill Sheahan (one of their tennis pros) coordinated the grand opening on December 12th.

The weather was perfect and close to 200 people were there to see what this strange new sport was all about. Many took the opportunity to try it and see for themselves. From the positive response, I expect that there will be enough to keep all the courts busy.  


 

Friday, December 18, 2015

After years of work, this suburban Boynton (FL) community has a new sport

Published December 18, 2015 - www.mypalmbeachpost.com

Bob Versalie says he was a “pretty decent” tennis player until the day he hurt his shoulder.

At about the same time, someone told him about the game of pickleball. He did some research, found a local couple who gave lessons, and visited friends in the northern part of the state whose development had pickleball courts.

 

Versalie, 84, learned that regardless of his injury, he can play the sport.

That was more than two years ago. The Coral Lakes resident has been championing for pickleball courts at the suburban Boynton Beach community since then and he is happy to say this month they celebrated the courts’ opening with a ribbon cutting.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Welcome New USAPA Ambassadors!

John Petrich – Gainesville, FL
Jill Sheahan – Lake Worth, FL
Brendon Long – Naples, FL
Angel Hernandez – Port St Lucie, FL
Gayle Hawbaker – Griffin, GA
Don Hankins – Statesville, NC

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

New Place to Play in Charleston, SC Area

The South Carolina Lowcountry area will soon have a new place to play pickleball. The Goose Creek Community Center, located at 519A North Goose Creek Blvd., Goose Creek, SC 29445 will begin hosting pickleball on Mondays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. starting  January 11, 2016. They will have two indoor courts set up for open play. It will be free for Community Center members, or $5/day for non-members. Call 843-569-4242 for more information, or visit www.goosecreekrecreation.com.

Sunday, December 13, 2015

Cape Coral’s Robert Welter wins Florida Senior Games Pickleball Gold Medal with dramatic comeback

Published December 13, 2015 - www.don411.com

CLEARWATER – Down 7-0 in the tiebreaking game of the Men’s Singles Pickleball Gold Medal match in the 60-64 age group, Cape Coral’s Robert Welter called a time out. He leaned against the wall at the Long Center in Clearwater as if he was winded or injured.

Upon returning to play, he scored the next 12 points and outscored his opponent, Michael Thaler, of Briny Breezes 15-1 to win the third game 15-8 after splitting the first two games.

“I had to change the momentum,” said Welter. “He was dominating. I was just hoping something would open up.”

It was Welter’s third consecutive gold medal in the 60-64 age group and the third consecutive year he has beaten Thaler in the age group finals.

It looked to be Thaler’s year to win the gold medal as he advanced out the elimination bracket and defeated Welter 11-7, 11-8 forcing an if necessary game and jumping out to the early lead.

On the court next to Welter and Thaler, as the rest of the Long Center had cleared out, was the championship match in the 65-69 age group where David Warner, of Fort Myers won his fifth consecutive gold medal. He defeated Nolan Fagerburg, of Sarasota, in three games winning the final 15-8. Warner and Fagerburg met in the championship match of the 2013 Florida Senior Games with Warner winning the gold.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Another Venue for Brevard County

Brevard’s 17th Pickleball venue officially opens this Wednesday, December 9, 2015:

Jimmy Monroe Park
2801 Sarno Road (Corner of Wickham Rd. and Sarno Rd)
Melbourne, FL 32935
321‐255-4613

All levels beginner to advanced.
6-9 p.m.

Sunday, December 6, 2015

Pickleball Paradise Grown in Backyard - I ♥ Pickleball

Published December 3, 2015 - www.pickleballchannel.com

Early couple playing smallPickleball paradise in a backyard? Watch this amazing story about how “If you build it, they will come” really happened to Tom and Ann Earley in North Georgia. You won’t believe the incredible generosity displayed to the surrounding community and the difference it’s made to not only area pickleball players but also to the Earley’s themselves.

CLICK HERE to listen to their story as you get a glimpse into some of the most amazing private pickleball courts in the country.

Saturday, December 5, 2015

Players practicing for pickleball event

Published December 5, 2015 - www.highlandstoday.com


The 2016 Heartland Games for Active Adults Pickleball Tournament will be held at the recently refurbished Sun ‘n Lake Racquet Club on March 12 and 13. This will be welcome news to pickleballers who have had to endure play on the tennis courts at South Florida State College in previous years.

Tenille Drury-Smith, Community Service Director at Sun n Lake worked with Games Director Lorrie Key to make this change possible. Tom Stadler and Clayton Farrar have agreed to be the tournament coordinators once again.

On a recent Saturday morning, eight players were on the courts by 8 a.m. and they were soon joined by other eager pickleballers. Judy Granger, of Sun ‘n Lake, was on the planning committee for the courts. She wishes they had the foresight when planning the new facility to rip out the old asphalt and start from scratch rather than trying to find cost savings by building over the existing tennis courts. She is really thrilled with the condition of the courts now.

Dave Shaner, of Highlands Ridge, comes to Sun ‘n Lake each morning and states “The new courts are excellent. There are no cracks and they drain exceptionally well. There has never been any water on the courts in the morning.”

CLICK HERE to read more.

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Florida Senior Games start Saturday

Published December 1, 2015 - www.highlandstoday.com


The 2015 Florida Senior Games begin in Clearwater on Saturday and conclude on Sunday, December 13. Nearly 2,000 athletes will be competing in 24 sports over the course of nine days. Since the Senior Games inception in 1992, Bradenton, Sarasota, Kissimmee/St. Cloud, Polk County, The Villages, Lee County and the City of Cape Coral and Pinellas County/Clearwater have hosted the Games.

There will be 14 athletes age 90 and over competing in the 2015 Florida Senior Games. The most experienced athlete, 95-year old Lucille DeGregorio, of The Villages will compete in Singles Bowling.

There were 21 Florida Senior Games Series Qualifiers held throughout the year, including the Heartland Games for Active Adults. The 2016 Calendar of Series Qualifiers begins on January 20 with the Lee County Senior Games and continues with the Heartland Games which begin on January 23 and wraps up with the Golden Age Games, in Sanford, in November.

Over 200 athletes will participate in pickleball, one of the fastest growing sports of the Senior Games. Of the 21 Florida Senior Games Series Qualifiers, 17, including the Heartland Games now have pickleball competition. A total of 50 Florida pickleball players traveled to the 2015 National Senior Games in Minnesota over the summer.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Inaugural US Open Pickleball Championships Coming to Naples, Florida

Published November 28, 2015 - www.sportsdestinations.com

And Pickelball is Arriving Everywhere Else, So Event Planners Better Be Ready

Some sports just suddenly seem to harness the enthusiasm of the public. Rock climbing was one. Mud races were another.

Now, the buzz is all about pickleball. And it’s not letting up, so event planners should brace themselves.

The paddle sport with the funny name, the one that is growing at a faster pace than any other, is holding its inaugural national championship. The first-ever US OPEN Pickleball Championships will take place in Naples, Florida, April 26-May 1, 2016. And the only two words for the sports business industry are this: Get ready.

"It was incredible,” said Terri Lewis, whose company, Spirit Promotions, is producing the U.S Open. “Before we even opened our registration portal, we had more than 600 people expressing interest, in one week.” It’s going to behoove sports planners to acquaint themselves with pickleball. Those who aren't familiar with the sport can learn about it easily. It is played like a racquet sport: on a court the same size as a badminton court, with a lower net, special regulation pickleball paddles and a ball similar to a whiffle ball. It is played in singles, doubles and mixed doubles. A winning score is 11 and a player needs to win by at least two points.

The sport is way easier to learn than it sounds, and way more fun to play than most first-timers can imagine. And for both those reasons, it’s growing explosively.

Pickleball is a sport filled with what might jokingly be called evangelists. Graham says the sport’s accessibility is part of its charm, and its main selling point.

"You can walk up to any place in the country where pickleball is being played. You can show up without a paddle, without a ball, without any equipment and I guarantee you someone is going to come over and hand you a paddle and say, ‘Here, come on and try this.’ And you’ll get hooked.”

CLICK HERE to read more.

Monday, November 16, 2015

Test Your Pickleball Knowledge

The USAPA has designed a fun quiz to test the rules knowledge of recreational players.  Although the rules are the same for recreational and tournament play, it's up to the players to make the call when there is no referee to enforce the rules.

CLICK HERE to give the quiz a try.  A reference to the related section of the IFP/USAPA Rules is included at the end of each question.  But don’t spoil your fun, complete the quiz and see which questions you miss before referring back to the rulebook.  Good luck!

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Palm Beach Gardens unveils new pickleball courts at park

Published November 12, 2015 - www.palmbeachpost.com

What do ping pong, tennis and badminton have in common?

Pickleball. It’s a combination of all three sports. The hybrid is gaining traction all across South Florida. It’s also a hit in Palm Beach Gardens, where recreation officials decided to re-purpose an old, underutilized roller hockey rink into a pickleball complex.

The city is hosting a ribbon-cutting and grand opening noon Saturday, Nov. 14, for the new six-court pickleball complex at Plant Drive Park, 10113 Plant Dr. There will be pickleball tutorials and pickles while supplies last.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Sunday, November 1, 2015

Get hooked on pickleball

Published October 28, 2015 - www.news-press.com

Pickleball started at Veterans Community Park in North Naples one year ago with 15 players. Now there are more than 300 registered to play. On most mornings, the eight courts set up on tennis courts are not enough, so players sign in and wait their turn. This week construction is expected to begin on eight permanent pickleball courts at Veterans Park and are expected to be completed in January.

In East Naples the 25 courts at the community park are so overcrowded with the more than 400 players that plans are underway for that park to have 48 courts.  Organizers expect the number of players to continue to grow rapidly.

“Once people try it, they are hooked instantly,” said Dominic Catalano, program director for Collier County Parks and Recreation.  “It’s a matter of getting people on the court. Once they are on the court they are hooked. I imagine the numbers will go up this year.”

CLICK HERE to read more.

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Cocoa Beach Pickleball Inaugural Play Starts Today

Space Coast 16th Pickleball Facility Opens Today  

Cocoa Beach Recreation Center and Gym
321 Ramp Rd
Cocoa Beach, FL 32931

Every Tuesday & Thursday
12 noon–3 p.m.

All skill levels welcome.

In a pickleball tournament? Here's 3 tips

Published www.news-press.com



Fort Myers' (FL) pickleball player Kyle Yates, 20, shows how he stays sharp despite playing numerous matches in a day. Yates is a national champion player and has won gold medals playing all over the country.

CLICK HERE to see more.

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

There’s no sour pickle on the courts in Sun City Center

Published September 30, 2015 - www.tbo.com

If tennis is too hard and table tennis isn’t hard enough, pickleball may be just right for the competitive senior who wants to stay fit.

“The sport is a combo of badminton, ping pong and tennis,” said Renee Bray, president of the Sun City Center Pickleball Club. “It’s addicting and fun.

“We have members who’ve had hip and knee replacements or have neuropathy and sugar diabetes, but they’re still able to play,” she continued. “It’s a very competitive sport for all ages and all levels.”

Pickleball rackets look like overgrown ping pong paddles but the ball is larger than a ping pong ball and smaller than a whiffle ball.

The court is smaller than a tennis court, so there’s less distance to run, but participants still get a pretty good workout.

Lynn Seevers has been playing pickleball for eight months. A regular tennis player, she likes the convenience of jumping in and out of the two games.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Yes, it's really called pickleball

Published September 23, 2015 - www.obsentinel.com

What sport do you play with four people, ping pong paddles and a whiffle ball on a mini tennis court?

Well, pickleball, of course.

Reported to be the fastest growing sport in the country, pickleball has its own following in Dare County. Three days a week, a group of dedicated players can be found inside the gym “Rec Park” in Kill Devil Hills.

Played like tennis, there are serves, aces, volleys, smashes and dink shots. Pickleball even has its own scoring. Players wear court shoes, quick dry shirts, sweatbands and even gloves. The graphite paddles look like ping pong paddles on steroids.

Although it’s not offered by Dare County (NC) Parks and Recreation, leisure services supervisor Charlotte Midgett says they make the gym available to these mostly older adults to play this high-activity game.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Local pickleball player, just 20, is national success

Published September 22, 2015 - www.news-press.com

When Fort Myers' (FL) Kyle Yates competed against some of the best paintball players in the country two years ago, he was "not even close."

Last year, he made big strides.

This time around, Yates is among the elite.

The Cypress Lake High graduate captured the bronze medal in men's singles, the silver in men's doubles and finished fourth in mixed doubles at the Tournament of Champions in Brigham City, Utah. He earned $1,500 in prize money.

"This is a big deal," said Yates, the youngest player by six years.

Pickleball has been gaining popularity in the United States and beyond. The sport blends tennis, ping pong and racquetball on a badminton-size court.

While it has been popular with older players, younger players like Yates, 20, have been drawn to the sport.

In 2016, the US Open Pickleball Championships will be held in Naples from April 26-May 1.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Paulding's Premier Pickleball Place Pleases Players

Published Georgia Pickleball Bulletin - September 2015

Paulding County's (GA) first indoor Pickleball Court is now open at Taylor Farm Park. Ambassador Mark Mazor and his wife Chantel welcomed five other players to the Grand Opening of the new indoor court on Thursday evening September 3. Participants were given a 20% off coupon for merchandise from Sports Authority, in addition to a coupon for a free Frosty Lemonade from Chick-fil-A who is also a supporter of Pickleball play in this area, southernmost Paulding County. Play will continue on Thursday evenings beginning at 6:30pm until the Thanksgiving holidays. Then a second court will be added after a break for winter basketball camps, and play will resume sometime in mid February 2016.

Saturday, September 12, 2015

The US Open comes to Naples

Published September 11, 2015 - www.businessobserverfl.com

For the first time ever, the US Open will be played in Naples.

The Pickleball Open, that is.

From April 26 to May 1, Naples will host the first US Open Pickleball Championships. The racket-sport event is expected to draw 1,000 athletes to 19 courts at East Naples Community Park, including 12 new courts under construction. Players will compete for $25,000 in prize money.

“We’ll turn East Naples Community Park into Flushing, N.Y.,” says Parker Medley, sports marketing manager for the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention and Visitors Bureau.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Spike of the Spear: Pickleball Nears Takeoff in Naples’ Inaugural U.S. Open Championships

Published September 10, 2015 - www.naplesherald.com
 

On Wednesday morning, a backdrop that was brought to the forefront of discussion was unveiled at East Naples Park, those in the crowd commemorating the host site that will bring the first-ever U.S. Open Pickleball Championships to the community in 2016. Today marked the first visible sign of what will become April 26 to May 1.

Ironically, a racquetball barricade painted the artistry of the event’s first-look logo; one that officially opens the door for prosperity.

“We want pictures being taken here and for people to bring them back to their communities for the years to come,” the event’s President, Terri Graham said.

“We are looking for the flesh and metal to be in Naples. This will allow us to make East Naples Park the Pickleball capital of the world,” Graham proclaimed as she spoke on what the weeklong showcase means to Naples and the surrounding area.

In her presentation to the spectators that listened to the President’s 8:00 a.m. introductory remarks, Graham shed light as to just how popular the brand of Pickleball has become all across the world, saying that there are 2.5 million players this year and that number is projected to grow to 5 million participants by next year.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Thursday, September 10, 2015

U.S. Open Pickleball Championships coming to Naples in 2016

Published September 9, 2015 - www.naplesnews.com


NAPLES, Fla. - The Collier County tourism department believes Naples can someday become the pickleball capital of the world. That dream took steps toward becoming a reality Wednesday as construction began on the East Naples facility that will soon be home to the recreational sport’s national championship.

At East Naples Community Park on Wednesday morning, organizers for the U.S. Open Pickleball Championships unveiled a 10-foot by 15-foot logo for the event. The logo was put on the park’s outdoor racquetball court as construction on a new pickleball facility began later that morning.

“This county is so excited about being the host for the first pickleball championships,” Collier County commissioner Donna Fiala said. “We’re going to see one of the main focuses of this park be pickleball.”

CLICK HERE to read more.

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Carolina Characters: Pickleball knows no age limit

Published September 7, 2015 - www.myrtlebeachonline.com



There is a fire burning in this place, but no flickering flames are visible to the naked eye. Still, no one at Crabtree Memorial Gymnasium can deny the passion for pickleball ablaze in Rena Grant. They feel the heat on and off the court.

Grant is a 91-year-old great-grandmother who can battle the best and win. She has pickleball power. Just check out her forehand and backhand. Yep, she’s bad.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Read more here: http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/carolina-characters/article34238199.html#storylink=cpy

Friday, September 4, 2015

Letter: Pickleball success in Aiken

Published September 4, 2015 - www.aikenstandard.com

The recently completed Third Annual Palmetto Doubles Invitational Pickleball Tournament held at the H. Odell Weeks Activity Center resulted in the largest number of participants to date and the greatest number of local athletes winning medals. Growing from the first tournament attendance of 110 players to this year’s 202 participants, the event has become a favorite among players. Of the total competing, 155 were from nine different states with the remaining 47 players coming from Aiken. Twenty-one Aiken Pickledillys medaled during the two day event – proving that their skills continue to evolve and improve. There was a crowd of spectators throughout tournament play both days.

The format of the tournament is designed to achieve the highest possible level of evenly matched competition by categorizing players into both skill levels and age levels. The result made for some very exciting, tightly contested matches.

Locals who competed and won in their age group/skill levels include gold medalists Mo Garcia, Mirabel Madera, Lisa Campbell, Sue Talada, Joyce Noland, Nick Savin, Barb Dellamora, and Warren Marinaccio; silver medalists were Jim Toler, Doug Lily, John Cox, Dick Keeler, Ron Dellamora, Keith Shaver, Warren Marinaccio, Sue Talada, Kathy Reiter, Beverly Shaver, Joyce Noland, Helen Burgess and David Snyder; bronze medalists were Alan Pakarik, David Hoel, Bill Reynolds, George Carr, Josh Booth, Pat Perry, Tony Quick, David Snyder, Diane Davies, Helen Burgess, Megan Swanstrom, Kathy Reiter, John Reiter, Maribel Madera, Freddy Dickens, Mirabel Dickhart, and Paul Leibstein. Hearty congratulations to all competitors, but especially to our local players who represented Aiken so well.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Thursday, September 3, 2015

Pickleball popularity continues to grow in county

Published September 3, 2015 - www.veronews.com

Name That Game: It’s like tennis – sort of. And like badminton – sort of. To play, you use a sort of whiffle ball and a sort of ping-pong paddle. And it might or might not have been named after a Cocker Spaniel. But probably not.

Give up? It’s Pickleball, considered one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, with more than 100,000 active players in all 50 states. They’re folks of all levels of athletic ability, most ranging in age from 30 to 80 – and up!

Pickleball, so the story goes, “was invented during the summer of 1965 on Bainbridge Island, WA, at the home of Joel Pritchard (Congressman from Washington State). One Saturday afternoon, Pritchard and two buddies, Bill Bell and Barney McCallum, returned from golf and found their families bored.”

When attempting to set up a badminton game, no one could find the shuttlecock or racquets, so they improvised with ping-pong paddles and a whiffle ball and lowered the badminton net. They soon set up rules and built a permanent court in McCallum’s back yard, always keeping in mind the original purpose – to create a game the whole family could enjoy. And the rest, as they say, is history.

The pickleball court area is one-third the size of a tennis court, with play similar to that of tennis, without the intensity or speed. Like tennis, it can be played with two or four players. Its similarity allows existing tennis courts to easily be converted to dual-use with additional striping.

The USA Pickleball Association (USAPA) promotes the growth and development of the game on national and international levels.

Efforts to bring pickleball to Indian River County began in Sebastian and Vero Beach about a year ago, with the county soon joining the Pickle Bandwagon. Recreation Departments in Vero and Sebastian have converted some of their tennis courts to dual use with the addition of special striping, and the number of players continues to grow.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Friday, August 28, 2015

In a Pickle: Inaugural Emerald Coast Pickleball Championships

Published August 28, 2015 - www.thedestinlog.com


Four courts have been set up inside of the Life Center at Destin United Methodist Church. The courts mark the playing grounds for the inaugural Emerald Coast Pickleball Championships hosted by the Emerald Coast Pickleball Club.

Thursday was opening day for the competition and saw seventy-seven participants register for the three-day event.

“We have a lot of people that travel through the area that stop and play,” said Emerald Coast Pickleball Club President Karen Parrish. “For this tournament we have people from five different states; Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama and Texas.”

Although the largest demographic in the room were middle-aged adults, Parrish explained that she is hoping to draw younger players to the sport with events like this tournament.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

2015 Greensboro Summer Pickleball Classic

Published August 25, 2015 - www.newsjs.com

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- It's a little ping pong, a little badminton and a whole lot of fun rolled into one! And you might be surprised to know, Greensboro has it's own Summer Pickleball Classic.

The sport features two, three, or four players using solid paddles made of wood to hit a wiffle ball, over a net. Like other raquet sports, pickleball shares the dimensions and layout of a badminton court, and a net and rules similar to tennis, with a few modifications.

Pickleball was invented in the mid 1965 as a children's backyard pastime but quickly became popular among adults as a fun game for players of all levels. This week, the city of Greensboro will celebrate the 50th anniversary with it's second annual tournament.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Pickleball popularity gaining steam with all ages in Cape Coral

Published August 25, 2015 - www.capecoral.com
 
Their sport has a funny name and has a rep as an old person’s sport, but players young and old at Cape Coral Wellness Center aren’t letting that restrain their enthusiasm for Pickleball.

Playing on a regular basis in the center’s gym, they could very well put Cape Coral on the USA Pickleball Association’s map of places to play in Florida. There are 276 locations in Florida with an estimated 18,254 players, according to the association, which is a nonprofit based in Surprise, Ariz.

The Wellness Center began making time for Pickleball about six months ago, according to wellness center spokeswoman Kathleen Velez. Player Mike Welter asked for the program and after checking out the costs it was decided to make time and equipment available.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

New Ambassadors in the Atlantic South Region

Congratulations and Welcome:
  • Fernando Blanco – Arecibo, PR
  • Donna Varkonyi – Wimauma, FL
  • Fred Bode – Bonita Springs, FL
  • Dolores Mangels – Jacksonville, FL
  • Paul Aaron – Hendersonville, NC
  • Michele Puchala – Lake Lure, NC

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Pickleball comes to Clermont Arts & Recreation Center (FL)

Published August 12, 2015 - www.orlandosentinel.com


CLERMONT — Pickleball enthusiasts — and those looking to try out the popular sport — have a new venue to slap around the hollow plastic balls.

Pickleball will be offered starting Aug. 24 at the Clermont Arts & Recreation Center. Those curious about the sport are encouraged to attend a free demonstration from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday.

Once regular play begins, hours will be 10 a.m.to 2 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Cost to play is $2 and includes equipment. Players who have their own equipment are welcome to use it.

"We know that the game is already being enjoyed in some of our 55+ communities, such as Kings Ridge," facility manager Suzanne O'Shea said in a statement. "Now we can offer an indoor, air-conditioned facility and bring it to new and veteran players, regardless of age."

CLICK HERE to read more.

Friday, August 7, 2015

RELISH THE MOMENT: Auburn pickleball icon captures National Indoor gold

Published August 7, 2015 - www.auburnjournal.com

Nothing goes together like Cherrys and pickles.

Sixty-six-year-old Cherry DuLaney, Auburn’s unofficial ambassador of pickleball, recently returned from the U.S.A. Pickleball Association National Indoor Championships in Rochester, New York, with enough hardware to bend her neck.

The outspoken athlete, considered responsible for most of Auburn’s pickleball resources, rallied to a second place finish in her singles age division. She also won a national title with Placerville’s Mark Keith in the mixed doubles division.

It was a stunning feat for DuLaney, achieved in her first ever trek to a national championship event.

“My partner and I had played in the Bay Area senior games and took gold, so we were looking for an indoor tournament before nationals popped up on our radar,” DuLaney said. “It’s been blast, way more fun than any other sport I have ever played.”

CLICK HERE to read more.

Dog Days of Summer!

Submitted by Ann Earley, Ambassador, North Georgia Pickleball Club

It has been a hot and humid summer in north Georgia. Nevertheless, the North Georgia Pickleball Club has had excellent play and our players have enjoyed a dip in the pool occasionally after playing 3+ hours in the morning! Players have also enjoyed cantaloupe, eggplant, cucumbers, and tomatoes from our garden and we hope to continue feeding our players through the fall garden project!

Tom Earley held a strategy and technique clinic for our players and hopefully will hold another similar clinic in October. This month we also held our last referee class and now have top quality referees to work in upcoming fall tournaments and simply be more aware on the courts of all rules. 

We were very happy to have several visitors over the summer – Kathy and Gary Baker from St. George, Utah, and Vivian and Edwards from Colorado most recently.
Please put down the dates of September 25-27 as our 10th anniversary pick up all tournament. On Wednesday, September 23, Rodney Grubbs of Pickleball Rocks will bring out several pickleball paddles to review and allow our players to sample. Pickleball Rocks will also be a vendor at our tournament over the weekend. On Friday, September 25, we will have open play from 2 PM until 6:30 PM. If you aren't playing in the tournament, please join us to support our players and enjoy some top level play on Saturday and Sunday. If you get up early – 8:30 AM on Saturday – join us for a great opening ceremony featuring the local high school band, Junior ROTC, and local dignitaries. All entry fee proceeds will be donated to the Cherokee animal shelter and Sheriff Joe Arpaio's M*A*S*H unit.
Until further notice, we will play every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday at 9 AM until there are no more players on the courts – normally around 1 PM.

Hope to see you on our courts soon!

 

   

Sunday, August 2, 2015

Pickleball - Game of Emotions

Submitted by Robert Nibarger, Ambassador, Piedmont District North Carolina

There is one absolute truth about pickleball and that truth is that all players start out as beginners. Yes, not all beginners are created equal as some are former tennis players, former table tennis masters or former racquetball stars and so forth. On the other side of the coin, some folks have never played paddle sports. It really gets interesting for club organizers when the “kill or be killed” players meet up with social pickleball players. Both are equal and both can be challenges. What is social pickleball and what is competitive pickleball you ask? On the social side, these are folks who really don’t care if they win or lose or about their skill level. They just want to meet, exercise and visit with their friends.[1] On the “kill” side, “ how dare a 3.0 player join our game.”  “Don’t they know we are the advanced group and weaker players ruin our game”[2]. Fortunately, both groups can co-exist with proper planning. Let’s consider several options.

Option 1

During the first half hour of play, let’s have open play. Everyone plays with everyone and we are one happy group. Matches are only to 5 points to keep things churning. The advanced players will serve as mentors to beginners and to those players who want to improve their game. Note: Social players can opt out and play with their normal group if they so choose.

Option 2

Round Robins


For the next hour, assign random teams based on the order of sign-up and schedule matches of round robin play. Again, social players can opt out if they wish and play on the open court. You will need a court manager to keep things moving and keep time. I suggest you try this format at least once or maybe two times per week. On off days, continue to play in accordance with your club rules. This usually means players are assigned courts based on skills. Usually the play is divided into two groups.

Option 3

Skill play – players divide up into skill groups either based on club rules or self-evaluations. USAPA ratings, ladders and other techniques can assist with determining which skills should be matches.

SUMMARY

We all began as beginners. Please be patient with the new folks, help them improve their game and always practice good sportsmanship. I guarantee you that your game will improve if you reach out and help others.

[1] This is in general terms with many exceptions.

[2] For illustration purposes only. Not all advanced players fall into this catagory.

Pickleball offers fitness, fun; appeals to wide range of ages

Published August 2, 2015 - www.northwestgeorgianews.com

The No. 1 rule for playing pickleball is to have fun.

Also, do not question the legend of how the 50-year-old sport got its unusual name.

“The rumor, the cutest rumor, anyway, is that it is named after a cocker spaniel,” laughed Bob Hood, president of the Coosa Valley Pickleball Club.

The favorite tale is that when the game was started, a cocker spaniel named Pickles owned by one of the men chased the ball constantly.

“That isn’t actually true,” admitted Hood. “But we’re going with that version.”

The sport is a combination of tennis, badminton and ping pong. It is played with paddles, a short, modified tennis net and a plastic ball. It can be played indoors and outdoors and by a wide range of ages.

“We have players ranging in age from 8 to 82,” Hood said.

Pickleball got started in Rome in January, he added.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Saturday, August 1, 2015

Pickleball

Published July 31, 2015 - www.palmettodunes.com


The Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center has recently added Pickleball to the line-up of fun things to do at Palmetto Dunes Resort (SC). Pickleball is a sport that combines the elements of tennis, badminton and ping pong. It is played with oversized ping pong paddles and a softball-sized plastic perforated ball that travels at about one-third the speed of a tennis ball. "It's a fun, easy sport that is great exercise, but doesn't require a lot of skill to be an enjoyable experience" says John Kerr, Director of Tennis at the Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Pickleball growing sport at YMCAs out west

Published July 29, 2015 - www.journalnow.com

Pickleball is an ever-growing sport that has become popular for people of all ages, and it is gaining momentum at the YMCAs in Mocksville and Clemmons (NC).

Scott Spillman, who is the Associate Executive Director at Jerry Long, said it has 25-40 people play on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
 
“We’ve been doing for a little over a year,” he said by phone. “We had a couple members approach us about interest in it and wanted to get it started out at Jerry Long. It started out with just a couple days a week. It started out with two courts. Now we have three courts with people waiting to play.”
Kim McClure, who is the Executive Director of Davie YMCA, said there are 15-20 people who play on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 10-noon. There is also a group 4-8 of Livestrong cancer survivors who play on Tuesday and Thursday from 7-9 p.m.
 
According to her, people range in age from 12 to 80. Jordan McCallister, who is 12, and her brother Alec, who is 14, regularly play on the two courts that are set up on the basketball court at the Davie Y.

CLICK HERE to read more.
 

Monday, July 27, 2015

Zero, Zero, Start: Pick up a paddle and play pickleball

Published July 27, 2015 - www.naplesherald.com


One cannot start the game of pickleball without saying zero, zero, start, and if you’re around Jim Ludwig, you better utter those words with the accent of a born Bostonian, just like him.

Pickleball For All was organized and founded by Executive Director Ludwig, 61, with the goal of bringing the sport to Collier County schools.


The necessary funds were unavailable to schools wanting to purchase equipment for students to use and participate in the booming sport.

“As a nonprofit in Collier County we aim to equip all schools with the equipment and facilities/courts to play this sport,” Ludwig said in an email.

Ludwig wants this sport to last, and he feels it is necessary to make it relevant to the youth of today.

“Pickleball is something that brings them together as a team, gets them playing with each other, interacting with one another, encouraging each other, giving each other supportive comments and laughing when everybody makes the same mistake,” said Paige Mitschele, 47, Leadership Gifts Officer of PFA.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Pickleball becoming more popular along the Gulf Coast

Published July 23, 2015 - www.fox10tv.com

MOBILE, AL (WALA) - It’s a sport that has become more and more popular…pickleball.

It might have a funny name, but it is very much a serious sport.

“I would describe it as a mix between ping pong and tennis. It's like full court ping pong and the scoring is a lot like volleyball,” said Lindsey Stiegler, a pickleball player.

It really is that simple.

“The way I started playing was my next-door neighbor who is 76 years old had been asking me for about three years to come and play pickleball,” said Bubba Bullington.

Bubba has been playing pickleball for just over a year now.

“I kept saying ‘No, I'm busy. I can't do that.’ Then I’d walk away and say ‘I'm not gonna play a sport called pickleball’,” he said.

But one Wednesday he came to the Via Center on Dauphin Street in Mobile. Then back on that Friday. Little did he think is that he would be back every chance he could since.

CLICK HERE to read more.



Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Pickleball craze spreads to new court

Published July 20, 2015 - www.hpenews.com


HIGH POINT — High Point resident Billy Warren may be 79 years old, but that doesn’t stop him from being the fastest player on the new outdoor pickleball court at Armstrong Park.
“I’m the oldest one here and the fastest one here, and I play with two hands!” Warren said.
Warren was one of the first people in the Triad to begin playing pickleball when a small group took up the sport at the Roy B. Culler Jr. Senior Center five and-a-half years ago.
Now, residents in High Point and the surrounding area can play pickleball under the sun to their hearts’ content.

 Earlier this month, the High Point Parks and Recreation Department opened a refurbished tennis court dedicated solely to pickleball, only the second of its kind in the whole state. The first opened in Raleigh just a short time before the High Point court.

“There are hundreds of people playing pickleball in the Triad area,” said Calvin Vaughn, senior center director. “They play at Oakview, at the YMCA, at the sports complex at the Palladium, at the Archdale Recreation Center.”

CLICK HERE to read more.

Friday, July 17, 2015

Pickleball invasion is on its way to Union County

Published July 15, 2015 - www.nganews.com

There is a sport with a funny name that’s gaining popularity in North Georgia and Western North Carolina, and it’s called pickleball.

You can’t really call it a ‘new’ sport anymore since it dates back to 1965 with 4 million players worldwide, but since its taken 50 years to reach this area, you could definitely call it ‘new’ to Union County.

After acquiring quite a following in Fannin and Towns Counties, Clay County, NC, and Murphy, NC, pick-leball, which is a combination of tennis, badminton, ping-pong, and played with a ball similar to a wiffle ball, is set to invade Union County in the near future, and long-time pickleball player and coach, David Block will be offering classes for beginners at Meeks Park on Tuesdays for those who want a leg-up on the competition before it takes over, and everybody is doing it.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Pickle-ball – The Most Popular Sport You Never Heard Of

Published July 15, 2015 - www.southeastdiscovery.com

Pickle-ball, you say…Although, not an Olympic sport yet – it may just be a matter of time.

Born in 1965 on a rainy day on Bainbridge Island, Washington, the inventors, a trio of friends, just wanted to quiet a house full of bored kids by giving them something entertaining to do, preferably outside! Thanks to some adult ingenuity, a badminton net in the yard, some old ping pong paddles and a wiffle ball, Pickle-ball today is enjoyed by a million people of all ages around the world. As of this writing, there are 25 Pickle-ball organizations in the southeast (FL, GA, NC, SC, TN and VA) with 15 located in Florida, and six in South Carolina.

In fact, today, there is The World Pickle-ball Federation which promotes this easy to play, but incredibly fun game across the world by encouraging physical education teachers to teach the game to their students. The vision would be to, then, encourage leagues, make Pickle-ball a team sport in schools, and, eventually have inter-school competition at the collegiate level. After that, a world championship and on to Olympic status! The promoters in Pakistan and India, for example, have initiated these types of programs hoping to get their respective countries ahead of the curve by starting players at a young age and continually training and improving their techniques as they grow.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Monday, July 13, 2015

Pickleball coming to Coal Mountain (GA) courts

Published July 12, 2015 - www.forsythnews.com

NORTH FORSYTH — A sport growing in popularity with senior citizens is getting some recognition from local parks officials.

The Forsyth County Parks and Recreation Board on Tuesday voted 3-0, with members Todd Holbrook and Gary Cooper absent, to move forward with painting two tennis courts at Coal Mountain Park to accommodate Pickleball.

Pickleball is similar to tennis or badminton but the ball and rackets are different. The ball is more like a Wiffle ball, while the paddle has no strings and is entirely wooden.

The court is also smaller than the one required for tennis, thus the need to repaint the courts.

Though all ages can play, the sport is particularly popular with seniors, especially those who had previously played tennis. It is less strenuous than tennis and easy to pick up.

“I have played with people from ages 18 to 87,” said Jerry Killinger, who had requested the change to the board. “It’s an easy game to learn … within an hour [newcomers] can be playing.”

CLICK HERE to read more.

Thursday, July 9, 2015

Local Pickleball Guide – Raleigh, North Carolina

Published July 9, 2015 - http:\\blog.pickleballcentral.com

Pickleball is unarguably one of the most popular sports in the South Atlantic region. We send orders to North Carolina more often than nearly any other state (topped by only Florida, California, Arizona, Washington and Michigan). If you happen to live near the Raleigh area, here’s a quick glimpse into pickleball in your area.


Local USAPA Ambassadors:
  • Cary   Michael Walsh   919-460-1650   Cary, North Carolina
  • Cary   Luis Vazquuz   919-561-8732   Cary, North Carolina
  • Durham   Mark Siewers   617-515-0166   Durham, North Carolina
  • Raleigh   Joe Borrelli   919-426-1110   Raleigh, North Carolina
  • Raleigh   Daphne Key   919-706-5639   Raleigh, North Carolina
  • Wake Forest   Sandy Brasseale   501-772-7439   Wake Forest, North Carolina
  • Wake Forest   Joe Vartanesian   919-624-6795   Wake Forest, North Carolina
These kind-hearted folk are itching to promote the sport. Don’t hesitate to contact one (or more!) of them for any pickleball-related inquiries.
If you’re itching to play, check out these North Carolina-located pickleball clubs. If you want even more information, the North Carolina State Pickleball website and the Atlantic South Region website are both awesome resources for those in the area.
CLICK HERE to read more.

Having a (pickle) ball

Published July 8, 2015 - www.tbnweekly.com
 
BELLEAIR – After just five months on the pickleball court, Mary Stiegler lost 10 pounds and found her new favorite sport.

In the past, Stiegler tried to play golf, but just wasn’t very good at it. When a friend suggested pickleball at the beginning of the year, Stiegler decided to give it a shot. She swapped her golf clubs for a pickleball paddle and hasn’t looked back since.

Now, she bounces between games at the Long Center and drop-in matches at the Dimmitt Community Center, playing pickleball for hours at a time.

“The people are such fun and it’s such good exercise,” Stiegler said.
CLICK HERE to read more.

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Culver column: Learning to love pickleball

Published June 30, 2015 - www.tallahassee.com

Full disclosure: I did not want to write a pickleball story when the idea was first pitched to me.

At the time, I knew next to nothing about the sport. I knew it was sort of like tennis, and I remember seeing a notice about it at the senior center on Monroe Street.


I looked up a few videos on YouTube, did a Google search, saw there is a national organization dedicated to pickleball and – after repeated emails from my boss – figured, "Well, what's the worst that could happen? Might as well write the story."

I still didn't see what all the fuss was about.


  Pickleball player base growing in Tallahassee Jordan Culver/Democrat

I contacted LaRae Donnellan, set up a time to play a few rounds at Premier Health and Fitness and decided to schedule a story for Monday, when we run community features in the sports section.

Donnellan was all smiles when I arrived at Premier. I'm guessing it's because she knew she was about to run circles around an unsuspecting journalist. She led me to the courts where other players were already in the middle of games – it was 9 a.m., by the way – and gave me a basic rundown of the rules.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Monday, June 29, 2015

Pickleball taking Tallahassee by storm

Published June 28, 2015 - www.tallahassee.com

Ever heard of pickleball?

Don’t worry, by the time a group of dedicated enthusiasts at Premier Health & Fitness Center are through, most of Florida will be playing what can only be described as “a combination of tennis and badminton with a wiffle ball and ping pong paddles.”


It’s a game just about anyone can pick up, and given enough time, anyone can rise through the ranks and become a national champion.

Walt Cofer, 56, started off as a racquetball player and said he immediately became addicted to a sport that’s only about 5-years-old in Tallahassee. Pickleball was invented by Joel Pritchard in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, which is close to Seattle, Washington.

“I’ve just about stopped playing racquetball,”Cofer said.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Sunday, June 14, 2015

Pickleball Open House and Demonstration/Lessons

Published June 14, 2015 - www.mydelraybeach.com


It's been called the sweet sport with the sour name, but with an estimated half a million active players worldwide, Pickleball is growing locally thanks to the Delray Beach Parks and Recreation Department.

Now with the National Parks and Recreation month celebration coming in July, you’ll be able to see in action this exciting sport designed for all ages.

A Pickleball demonstration and class will be offered as part of the month-long celebration at the Delray Beach Community Center on Saturday, July 18, along with open court time for current players. Playing time is from 1 pm to 3:00 pm.
 
CLICK HERE to read more.
 

Thursday, June 4, 2015

Meet Pickleball, the next great American sport

Published June 4, 2015 - www.vox.com


If you go to the exclusive community called the Villages in North Central Florida, which is filled with many retirees, you'll find everything from golf cart tunnels to microbreweries. But one of the most distinctive features might be its 108 courts for a unique sport: Pickleball.

To understand Pickleball, I spoke with David Jordan, president of the United States of America Pickleball Association (USAPA). He shared the secrets of the popular and unusual game — a sport that one retiree said was "like a drug."
What is Pickleball?

Pickleball is best described as a cross between table tennis and tennis. It looks a lot like tennis, but it features courts that are much smaller, a wiffle ball instead of a tennis ball, and a completely smooth paddle.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Adult Pickleball Clinic

Published June 3, 2015 - www.newsobserver.com

The Wake Forest (NC) Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department is sponsoring a pickleball clinic from 6 to 8 p.m. Mondays from June 8 through July 6 at Flaherty Park, 1226 N. White St.

The clinic is free and open to anyone 18 and older who wants to learn or improve their pickleball skills. Space is limited to the first 32 people who register. To register, go to http://wakeforestnc.recdesk.com/ and set up a free account and select “Programs” then “Adult Athletics.”

CLICK HERE to read more.

Monday, June 1, 2015

Serious game with a funny name: Pickleball continues to grow in popularity in Beaufort County

Published June 1, 2015 - www.islandpacket.com

Despite the quirky name, pickleball is a fast-growing competitive sport that has nothing to do with a brine-soaked cucumber.

The unique sport is a hybrid game of ping-pong, tennis and badminton, which has grown in popularity across Beaufort County in the past decade.

The name originated when one of the game's founders, former U.S. Rep. Joel Pritchard of Washington state, noticed his dog Pickles chasing a ball.

However, Pritchard's wife, Joan, said she called the game pickleball because the combination of different sports reminded her of pickle-boat crews in which oarsmen are chosen from the leftovers of other boats.

Whatever its name's origin, there's no debate over its growth.

CLICK HERE to read more.


Read more here: http://www.islandpacket.com/2015/06/01/3774277_serious-game-with-a-funny-name.html?rh=1#storylink=cpy

Players sweet on playing pickleball

Published May 31, 2015 - www.fayobserver.com

HOPE MILLS (NC) - Dave Beishline came ready to play.

The game: Pickleball, a kind of hybrid tennis-ping-pong-badminton contest in which the players smack plastic whiffle balls with short-handled paddles.

Beishline, who retired in December after a 47-year career in the Army, was wearing a pair of protective goggles. Seems that little plastic ball can give quite a sting.

"My wife took a hit and got a big shiner," said Beishline, who is 66.

Twice a week, visitors to the Hope Mills Senior Center gather at the town Parks and Recreation Center for a couple hours of pickleball. Ryan Gordon, program supervisor at the center, said the games have proven popular.

CLICK HERE to read more.


Sunday, May 31, 2015

Local pickleball club expanding interest in sport

Published May 31, 2015 - www.wrgarome.com

A new sport club is helping to spread the interest of pickleball throughout Rome, Floyd County and Northwest Georgia.

Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in America, according to Bob Hood, the president of the newly formed Coosa Valley Pickleball Club.

Pickleball is described as a combination of tennis, ping-pong, and badminton that uses oversized wooden paddles and wiffle ball. While the court is a similar setup to tennis, the court is smaller and the net is slightly lower.

The Coosa Valley Pickleball Club was formed a few months ago and currently has over 30 members ranging from eight years old to 81.

 CLICK HERE to read more.

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Free Pickleball Clinic

Carolina Courts in Concord, NC will be hosting a FREE pickleball clinic on June 10, 2015 for anyone interested in learning the sport of pickleball as well as picking up a few pointers from experienced Pickleball players.

This is a great opportunity to network and meet different pickleball players. This is also a great time to bring your friends who are not as familiar with the sport to learn the fundamentals so they can play with you anytime.

CLICK HERE to sign up for the free clinic. Simply click Sign Up in the evening time slot for the FREE Clinic, then click Submit and enter your name.

For more information visit, www.carolinacourts.com.

Pickleball hits UCF's IM courts

Published May 27, 2015 - www.centralfloridafuture.com

Pickleball originated as a game played on a lazy Saturday afternoon. Fast forward 50 years, now it is defined by its Wiffle-ball-sized bright green perforated ball as a sport.

A mix between pingpong and badminton, pickleball is played on a 20-by-44-foot court with a 36-inch tall net dividing the two sides.

"You have to be able to have a good eye and good judgment. You have to be able to think while you play. Serving is really stressful," said Teesha Monroe, a junior sociology major and employee of UCF intramural sports. "This game is really different."

Combining the coordination of tennis players, delicacy of badminton and swiftness of table tennis, it didn't take long before UCF players immersed themselves into the IM tournament, discovering the intricacies of the new intramural sport.


CLICK HERE to read more.

Friday, May 22, 2015

Naples, FL: Home of the National Pickleball Championships

Published May 22, 2015 - www.naplesherald.com


Naples locals will find themselves in a bit of a pickle by the time next April comes around. Collier County has been selected to host the U.S. Open Pickleball Championships for 2016, 2017 and 2018. The 2016 tournament will be the first of its kind and is projected to bring more than 1,000 athletes to the area.

Chris Evon, the executive director of the United States Pickleball Association (USAPA), estimated that there are more than 400,000 active pickleball players in the United States with pickleball facilities located in all 50 states. Although it is more popular among seniors, it is quickly becoming a widely-known sport among athletes of all ages.

“The culture is growing,” Evon said. “The sport has been around 50 years and it is really starting to take off. The average pickleball player is between 60 or 70 years old. The reason is because it is a great sport where you don’t have to cover a lot of area. If a player has an injury problem in their hip or shoulder, it’s easier on their joints then other sports. There is lots of technique and strategy involved and is very challenging, but the younger community is starting to grab on and there are very good high-level players.”

CLICK HERE to read more.

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Fast growing sport of pickleball to be on display at rec center

Published May 20, 2015 - www.greenvilleonline.com

Pickleball on display

Pickleball, a racquet sport that combines elements of badminton, tennis and table tennis, will be on display at 6:30 p.m. May 28 and June 2 at the Tryon Recreation Center tennis courts on Oakland Avenue. Instructors will provide lessons and play games. The Greer Recreation Department invites area residents to come out and give it a try.

CLICK HERE to read more.