tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66927918517195794512024-02-19T04:41:26.865-05:00Atlantic South RegionPickleball News for Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and MississippiFB Pirateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14652164506612532133noreply@blogger.comBlogger861125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6692791851719579451.post-75700984888616725342018-12-08T19:02:00.000-05:002018-12-08T19:03:20.752-05:00<span style="font-size: x-small;">Published December 7, 2018 - <a href="http://www.news-journalonline.com/">www.news-journalonline.com</a></span><br />
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HOLLY HILL (FL) — The City Commission on Tuesday will vote on economic incentives for a proposed recreational sports facility at Hollyland Park that some say could become the “Wimbledon of Pickleball.”<br />
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An Ormond Beach couple has offered to donate $3 million to build the planned 24-court complex at the city’s Hollyland Park.<br />
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It would be the second-largest pickleball facility in Florida, trailing only a 50-court facility in Naples. <br />
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The target opening date for the Pickleball Daytona of Holly Hill complex is early 2020.<br />
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Rainer and Julie Martens are asking the city to contribute $1 million in Community Redevelopment Area funds to cover the project’s infrastructure costs.<br />
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<a href="https://www.news-journalonline.com/news/20181207/wimbledon-of-pickleball-holly-hill-could-get-24-courts">CLICK HERE</a> to read more.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6692791851719579451.post-12403388614026984682018-12-03T10:25:00.002-05:002018-12-03T10:25:47.854-05:00Pickleball University Schools Programs<span style="font-size: x-small;">Submitted by Gary Carmichael, Ambassador, Vero Beach, FL</span><br />
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On a hot sunny afternoon in November a group of volunteer members and our own IPTPA certified instructors gathered together at Pocahontas Park in Vero Beach for the purpose of introducing pickleball to eight local physical education teachers.<br />
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Pickleball University decided earlier this year that we wanted to take the sport of pickleball into our local schools in Indian River County, so you may ask how did we make this happen? Our club's Board of Directors lead by club president, Mari Colacino, identified a small core group of our players to form a "Schools/Juniors" committee. Together they developed a plan to raise money, purchase equipment, identify and train volunteer club members who assist our professional instructors.<br />
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Over time our club members started reaching out to friends and friends or friends involved in our local schools at all levels to seek out teachers and identify school physical education programs that expressed some interest in pickleball. Sounds easy enough right? About as easy as hitting a successful around-the-post pickleball shot!<br />
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The group of PE teachers that came out to our courts on that hot November afternoon had a great time learning what pickleball is all about. To a person they expressed a sincere desire to teach our great sport to their students.<br />
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Our committee hopes to continue its good work into the new year by expanding our youth programs i the district and beyond. The $1100 we raised were used to purchase w24 paddles, four portable nets, dozens of balls and a portable storage box to be circulated and used by our schools in Indian River County. Our club's mission now is to grow and strengthen our partnership with the school district and together pass our love of this great sport onto the students. Our vision is to have every child be able to learn how to play pickleball. It is a sport that can be played for a lifetime!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6692791851719579451.post-8765707203778194592018-10-17T23:25:00.004-04:002018-10-17T23:27:40.070-04:00Pickleball comes to Pinedale<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Published October 17, 2018 - <a href="http://www.dothaneagle.com/">www.dothaneagle.com</a></span></div>
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Members of the Enterprise Parks and Recreation Department made a stop at Pinedale on Oct. 16 to introduce students to pickleball, a unique sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis.<br />
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According to Enterprise Parks and Recreation Programs Coordinator Guillian Hunt, the department began offering pickleball as an activity last year and it has gained popularity since.<br />
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She said this is part of an initiative to introduce the sport to students at local schools as an alternative to typical sports such as basketball, football and baseball.<br />
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“I learned pickleball when I was in physical education classes in Virginia, and it was something different from all the sports you were doing over and over, every day, each year,” Hunt said. “It ended up being something that my whole family enjoyed and became a great family sport for us.”<br />
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<a href="https://www.dothaneagle.com/enterprise_ledger/pickleball-comes-to-pinedale/article_55d8f9ac-d179-11e8-a625-b7be747db8ab.html">CLICK HERE</a> to read more.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6692791851719579451.post-63839791422008877092018-09-12T23:01:00.001-04:002018-09-12T23:01:08.693-04:00Green Cove Springs serves pickleball program to public<span style="font-size: x-small;">Published September 12, 2018 - <a href="http://www.news4jax.com/">www.news4jax.com</a></span><br />
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GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. - Twice a week inside Thomas Hogans Memorial Gym laughter and cheering can be heard against the rhythmic pop of racquetball-style paddles lobbing what looks like large ping-pong balls over a tennis net. <br />
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It’s the sound of Green Cove Springs swinging into the growing sport of pickleball. <br />
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Pickleball is a combination of tennis, badminton and ping-pong. It’s played on a tennis court with smaller boundaries, and players use a large paddle to hit a large, yellow plastic ball with holes over the tennis net to gain points. <br />
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The program is led by Green Cove Springs Parks and Recreation Program Director Glee Glisson, a competitive pickleball player. With Tim Murphy, music minister of First Baptist Church in Middleburg, Glisson has competed and won several pickleball tournaments in both age and skill level brackets. <br />
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“If you want to be competitive, you can do it at all levels,” said Glisson. “You can play this sport as easy as you want or as competitive as you want.”<br />
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<a href="https://www.news4jax.com/community/green-cove-springs-serves-pickleball-program-to-public">CLICK HERE</a> to read more.<br />
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<b></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6692791851719579451.post-88925304822999135262018-09-06T19:42:00.001-04:002018-09-06T19:42:26.476-04:00Pickleball Pride in Hiawassee, GA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />The 68th year of the "Hiawassee Parade" kicked off on July 21, 2018 with the theme of "Hometown Pride." Over 70 players from the Georgia Mountain Pickleball Club participated and the awesome float can be viewed on YouTube <a href="https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kBPN5qSXpmk&feature=youtu.be&t=30m16s">here</a>.<br />
<br />On the float, you will see the "pickle" and "ball" characters waving at the crowd and promoting the sport as we move along the route towards the fairgrounds.We had many that volunteered for this float project and worked numerous hours to get it completed on time. <br /><br />Beth McCoy had a vision and worked tirelessly on the entire project for weeks, including making her own "Ball" costume! She was the driving force behind the project. <br /><br />Many others volunteered numerous hours----Dean McCoy, Blake Harper, Virginia Steiner (dance coordinator), Tammy Lentini, Mark Petty and Eddie Palmer as the "pickle." As always, our Ambassador, John Hall who devotes an enormous amount of time for all things pickleball in Towns County participated in every aspect, including walking the 2 miles with the float to the parade end.<br /><br />The small demo net that was pulled behind the float for demonstrating the sport was a classic, thanks to Blake Harper.<br /><br />We also had 70 players that donated their time to walk with the float and interact with the parade goers the entire 2 miles on a hot July day. <br /><br /><div>
Unfortunately, we didn't place in the contest for best float, but no one had more energy or volunteers then the pickleball float! </div>
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Since the parade, we have had new players flocking to the courts on Saturday mornings for the novice classes. That is what you call "pickleball success!"</div>
<br /><a href="https://www.georgiamountainpickleball.com/copy-of-contact-1">CLICK HERE</a> to read more.<br /><br /><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6692791851719579451.post-36263308973580929942018-08-18T00:18:00.004-04:002018-08-18T00:19:44.269-04:00Welter, teammates earn pickleball gold medals in Ohio, Michigan<span style="font-size: x-small;">Published August 17, 2018 - <a href="http://www.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com/">www.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com</a></span><br />
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Cape Coral resident Mike Welter participated in the Michigan Senior Olympics in pickleball this past weekend. He won gold in singles and gold in mixed doubles with Nancy Robertson of Naples and took bonze with Glenn Geda of Michigan. Last month Welter participated in the Ohio State Senior Games and took gold in singles and gold in mixed doubles with North Fort Myers resident Bobbi Little, and took silver with Denny Vincent of Columbus, Ohio, and a part-time resident of Naples. <br />
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These games were both qualifiers for the National Senior Games in June, 2019, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
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<a href="http://www.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com/page/content.detail/id/667957/Welter--teammates-earn-pickleball-gold-medals-in-Ohio--Michigan.html?nav=5015">CLICK HERE</a> to read more.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6692791851719579451.post-86279130351373910992018-06-19T10:15:00.000-04:002018-06-19T10:30:00.888-04:00Rookie gets schooled in a game of pickleball<span style="font-size: x-small;">Published June 18, 2018 - <a href="http://www.heraldtribune.com/">www.heraldtribune.com</a></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><br />
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A little over a month ago, a friend and I were working out at a local YMCA and could not help but notice how much fun a big group of people were having playing what looked like a smaller version of tennis in the gym.<br />
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So we went in, were handed a set of paddles and given a crash course on pickleball.<br />
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I’ve been hooked ever since.<br />
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In fact, it has become a new facet of my fitness journey — one that has seen me drop 115 pounds in the last year and a half. That weight loss helped my agility on the small courts — enough to chase that little whiffle ball down for corner shots.<br />
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Fast forward a few weeks to an email inviting me to come out for a morning of pickleball at Sun-N-Fun RV Resort in Sarasota, a chance to experience the outdoor game for the first time.</div>
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<a href="http://www.heraldtribune.com/sports/20180618/rookie-gets-schooled-in-game-of-pickleball">CLICK HERE</a> to read more.</div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6692791851719579451.post-7218029094804292142018-04-02T16:58:00.000-04:002018-04-02T16:58:02.380-04:00Southwest Florida scores again with U.S. Open Pickleball Championships <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Published April 1, 2018 - <a href="http://www.bonitaspotlight.com/">www.bonitaspotlight.com</a></span></div>
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It’s fairly easy to assess the dollar impact of a large event – like the Minto U.S. Open Pickleball Championships – on the community. This is the third year in Naples for the championship, scheduled for April 21-28.<br /><br />Jack Wert, executive director and CEO of the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention and Visitors Bureau, cites an industry standard formula used for sporting events to project that the competition will bring in $3 million. And it gets extra points with the county because it takes place well after Easter, the traditional end of snowbird season. That means more money to the area in what could have been a meager time.<br /><br />The expected total for 2018 builds on about $2 million from 2016, when 800 players entered; then about $2.5 million in 2017, with 1,200 players. The 2,000 players expected this year, plus spectators, spend money on hotel rooms, dinners, souvenirs and in some cases, homes in Southwest Florida.</div>
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<a href="https://www.bonitaspotlight.com/news/2018-04-01/Spotlight_News/Southwest_Florida_scores_again_with_US_Open_Pickle.html">CLICK HERE</a> to read more.</div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6692791851719579451.post-58961838887574024462018-03-27T10:56:00.002-04:002018-03-27T10:57:40.397-04:00Pickleball Clubs partner with Gift of Life Marrow Registry to Save Lives <span style="font-size: x-small;">Published March 27, 2018 - <span id="goog_336188926"></span><a href="http://www.bizwireexpress.com/">www.bizwireexpress.com<span id="goog_336188927"></span></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">A dedicated group of volunteers from the Delray Beach Pickleball Club and the Valencia Palms Gift of Life Club held the 2nd Annual Round Robin Pickleball Tournament benefiting Gift of Life Marrow Registry on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 at the Delray Beach Tennis Center.<br /><br />More than 100 players and spectators, including marrow donors, transplant recipients and volunteers joined together to help those battling blood diseases and in need of a transplant find their lifesaving marrow matches. <br /> <br /> For many patients suffering from leukemia, lymphoma and other cancers there is hope of a cure through a bone marrow or blood stem cell transplant. Every three minutes someone is diagnosed with blood cancer, but 70 percent of patients do not have a related match and must search the worldwide registry for a volunteer donor. <br /> <br /> Those attending the event included two-time marrow donor Matthew Hocherman of Boca Raton and Barbara Goodman of Boynton Beach, whose life was saved through a bone marrow transplant. Gift of Life Founder and CEO Jay Feinberg presented medals to the tournament winners. The medalists were Michael Krooks and Arnie Weinberg gold, David Amrani and Mark Vogel silver and Tobias Kaye and Arthur Stein - bronze. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><a href="http://www.bizwireexpress.com/showstory1888.php?storyid=229">CLICK HERE</a> to read more.</span></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6692791851719579451.post-62534012625118525652018-03-06T01:44:00.002-05:002018-03-06T01:45:11.443-05:00Pickleball tourney draws players from around the South<span style="font-size: x-small;">Published March 4, 2018 - </span><a href="http://www.northwestgeorgianews.com/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">www.northwestgeorgianews.com</span></a><br />
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More than 100 players from as far away as Macon and Birmingham, Alabama, took over Thornton Recreation Center for the inaugural Rome (GA) Pickleball Classic.<br />
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The four-day event wrapped up Sunday.<br />
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“It’s one of the fastest-growing sports in the country right now,” said organizer JP Selle, the tennis director at Coosa Country Club.<br />
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Over the past few years, it has become a staple at both the country club and at Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation facilities.<br />
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Played with a paddle and a plastic ball, pickleball combines elements of tennis, ping-pong and badminton. According to Lisa English and Logan Yerbey — who trounced their finals opponents in mixed doubles — it’s the sport Baby Boomers have been looking for.<br />
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What makes it such a great fit?<br />
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<a href="http://www.northwestgeorgianews.com/rome/news/local/pickleball-tourney-draws-players-from-around-the-south/article_3c5d36dc-1ffe-11e8-8b00-4ba14b36546a.html">CLICK HERE</a> to read more.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6692791851719579451.post-82557160097271118022018-02-23T11:03:00.002-05:002018-02-23T11:03:59.852-05:00Cape Coral resident claims three gold medals in pickleball at the Lee County 2017 Senior Games<span style="font-size: x-small;">Published February 23, 2018 - </span><a href="http://www.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">www.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com</span></a><br />
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Cape Coral resident Mike Welter recently successfully defended his three Lee County 2017 Senior Games Pickleball titles at the WaKeHatchee indoor pickleball courts.<br />
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Welter took the gold medal in singles in the men's 65-69 age category. He then teamed up with Randy Hall of Indian Creek to take the gold medal in the men's doubles age 65-69 division. Finally, he teamed up with Bobbi Little of North Fort Myers to win the gold medal in the mixed doubles age 60-64 division. He did not lose a match during this tournament.<br />
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<a href="http://www.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com/page/content.detail/id/666132/Cape-Coral-resident-claims-three-gold-medals-in-pickleball-at-the-Lee-County-2017-Senior-Games.html?nav=5006">CLICK HERE</a> to read more.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6692791851719579451.post-61937655532301324322018-02-07T23:25:00.002-05:002018-02-07T23:25:26.013-05:00AAU Pickleball Serves First-Ever Event in Florida<span style="font-size: x-small;">Published February 6, 2018 - </span><a href="http://www.publicnow.com/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">www.publicnow.com</span></a><br />
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The AAU Englewood Chill Blast Pickleball Tournament made history this weekend as the first-ever pickleball event hosted for AAU members. (<a href="https://aausports.org/News/View-Story/ArtMID/1108/ArticleID/68382/What-Is-Pickleball">What the heck is pickleball?!)</a> More than 180 athletes from 31 states - ranging from age 19 to 75 - competed on Florida's west coast as part of the Florida Pickleball League. <br /><br />'We were so excited to host the Inaugural AAU Pickleball Tournament,' said Sindee Snow, AAU Pickleball National Chair. 'Our best success comes from the individuals who participated in the event. We are looking forward to growing the sport in all ages through the country using the AAU platform.'<br />
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<a href="http://www.publicnow.com/view/496B472AA7DB99782B3AE81A8F8650B8B391A1C2">CLICK HERE</a> to read more.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6692791851719579451.post-46890041116810944402018-02-03T02:11:00.000-05:002018-02-03T02:11:18.481-05:00Pickleball Booms in Southwest Florida <span style="font-size: x-small;">Published February 2, 2018 - </span><a href="http://www.coastalbreezenews.com/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">www.coastalbreezenews.com</span></a><br />
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The Southern Tropics Tournament Series kicked off in December with the Florida State Pickleball Championships. The Winter Classic represents the second leg of the series.<br />
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Five hundred ninety-two pickleball players competed in the East Naples Winter Classic held January 26th-28th at East Naples Community Park. Players of all ages and skill levels ranging from 3.0-5.0 participated. The organized event, well-staffed with volunteers, ran smoothly and on time as all 44 pickleball courts were busy with action. Although the blustery days proved to be a bit of a challenge, the players persevered…and those who persevered the most came away with a medal.<br />
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<a href="https://www.coastalbreezenews.com/articles/pickleball-booms-in-southwest-florida/">CLICK HERE</a> to read more.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6692791851719579451.post-74421326030341722892018-01-25T23:17:00.001-05:002018-01-25T23:17:06.301-05:0070-year-old St. Pete pickleballer overcomes adversity<span style="font-size: x-small;">Published January 24, 2018 - </span><a href="http://www.tbnweekly.com/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">www.tbnweekly.com</span></a><br />
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ST. PETERSBURG – Speaking to Dean Refakes for the first time is like talking to an old friend.<br />
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The 70-year-old part-time St. Pete resident and Chicago native has the relaxed and upbeat demeanor of a favorite golfing buddy or dinner companion, as he happily recalls tales of his athletic exploits and his medical setbacks, both of which there are many. Refakes, known as “Clean Dean,” also intersperses his conversations with comments about his love of life and especially for his three daughters, whom he raised following a divorce and calls “the apples of his eye.”<br />
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That positive attitude has helped Dean overcome a litany of physical setbacks, from broken bones to balky knees and hips, to become a high-level baseball, basketball, tennis and now pickleball player, as well as a symbol for perseverance and determination for people of all ages.<br />
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“I’ve had a very nice life, and I try to enjoy it,” Refakes said shortly after winning a gold medal in pickleball at the 2017 Florida Senior Games in Clearwater in December. “My daughters are healthy, they graduated from college, and I’ve never had a problem with them. I’ve been blessed.”<br />
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<a href="http://www.tbnweekly.com/special_sections/active_living/year-old-st-pete-pickleballer-overcomes-adversity/article_e942e074-012f-11e8-b043-33d46a38a83f.html">CLICK HERE</a> to read more.<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6692791851719579451.post-14666581208187306252017-12-28T23:24:00.001-05:002017-12-28T23:24:08.530-05:00Cape Coral elite pickleball player keeps winning, promotes sport<span style="font-size: x-small;">Published December 28, 2017 - </span><a href="http://www.news-press.com/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">www.news-press.com</span></a><br />
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Mike Welter would be well qualified to give an annual report on the state of pickleball in Lee County and even expand on his personal accomplishments in 2017.<br /><br />The 65-year-old Cape Coral elite pickleball tournament player is relentless in promoting the popular sport while collecting his own championship trophies.<br /><br />It was a good year for me, maybe my best ever, and I hate to see it end, Welter said. I like to play so I keep busy.<br /><br />As long as my body holds up, I'll be fine. I retired from the Marines 17 years ago and I still feel the same today physically. My uniform still fits.<br />
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<a href="http://www.news-press.com/story/news/local/cape-coral/2017/12/28/cape-coral-elite-pickleball-player-keeps-winning-promotes-sport/979583001/">CLICK HERE</a> to read more.<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6692791851719579451.post-33309364459518135942017-12-28T10:26:00.000-05:002017-12-28T10:26:24.702-05:00Pickleball Is On The RISE!<span style="font-size: x-small;">Published December 27, 2017 - </span><a href="http://www.hiltonhead.com/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">www.hiltonhead.com</span></a><br />
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During the first week of November, the <a href="https://www.palmettodunes.com/activities/hilton-head-island-tennis/hilton-head-island-pickleball-poptennis">Palmetto</a> Dunes Pickleball Center hosted the only pickleball program offered by the Road Scholar program. <a href="https://www.roadscholar.org/">The Road Scholar program</a> is an internationally recognized and acclaimed not-for-profit organization (formerly known as Elderhostel) whose mission is to open minds to new ideas, people and cultures and to engage people for whom learning is a journey of a lifetime.<br />
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The <a href="https://www.palmettodunes.com/activities/hilton-head-island-tennis/hilton-head-island-pickleball-poptennis">Palmetto Dunes Pickleball Center</a> provided more than 18 hours of on-court instruction and playtime to 21 participants, most of whom were newcomers to the game of pickleball. A team of four instructors broke down the game to explain the goals and objectives of each shot and how to structure points to put you and your team in the best competitive position. The primary goal was to engage people at their level and to inspire them to become better pickleball players.</div>
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<a href="http://www.hiltonhead.com/fall-pickleball-fun-2/">CLICK HERE</a> to read more.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6692791851719579451.post-25630852595682203002017-12-27T22:32:00.001-05:002017-12-27T22:32:24.349-05:00Coweta County Pickleball players gather for first Jingle Tournament<span style="font-size: x-small;">Published December 27, 2017 - </span><a href="http://www.times-herald.com/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">www.times-herald.com</span></a><br />
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The Coweta Pickleball Club held its first “tournament” on Sunday Dec. 17. However it wasn’t actually a tournament.<br /><br />It was a “Jingle.” <br /><br /> You may be asking, “What is a Jingle?” <br /><br />It was the idea of Billy Perkins, newly appointed United States Pickleball Association (USAPA) ambassador for Coweta County and Jill McKnight, president of the Coweta County Pickleball Club. <br /><br />They wanted to get all the players from the different parts of the county who play at various venues together for organized play and a social. <br /><br />Perkins explained that, unlike a tournament, there would be no losers and, unlike a social, there would be exercise and perspiration. <br />
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<a href="http://times-herald.com/news/2017/12/coweta-county-pickleball-players-gather-for-first-jingle-tournament">CLICK HERE</a> to read more.<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6692791851719579451.post-47714173907659988792017-12-19T00:36:00.003-05:002017-12-19T00:36:59.928-05:00Pickleball tournament benefits people who suffer from Parkinson's Disease<span style="font-size: x-small;">Published December 18, 2017 - </span><a href="http://www.rocketcitynow.com/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">www.rocketcitynow.com</span></a><br /><br />HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - There was a lot of fun and excitement happening Monday in the Rocket City.<br /><br />The annual Pickleball Tournament took place at Fern Ball Rec Center in South Huntsville.<br /><br />The event is in its second year and gives people, who love the sport, a chance to help raise money for people suffering from Parkinson's Disease.<br /><br />"It just amazes that people are willing to do this and not only enjoy their sport which is Pickleball, but to benefit those of us with Parkinson's in the community," said Jim Rhodes, co-founder of Rock Steady Boxing.<br />
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<a href="http://www.rocketcitynow.com/news/pickleball-tournament-benefits-people-who-suffer-from-parkinsons-disease/883085940">CLICK HERE</a> to read more.<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6692791851719579451.post-83057036592645424352017-10-28T00:30:00.002-04:002017-10-28T00:30:23.384-04:00City dedicates pickleball courts at event center<span style="font-size: x-small;">Published October 26, 2017 - </span><a href="http://www.goldsboro.com/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">www.goldsboro.com</span></a><br />
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New pickleball courts are now open and available for use by the public at the Goldsboro (NC) Event Center. <br />
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A recent dedication of the courts drew city leaders, pickleball players and a representative from the Mount Olive Pickle Co., which donated $10,000 to the cost of improving the tennis courts for pickleball games, said Kaye Scott, Goldsboro finance director.<br />
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The courts can be used for tennis or pickleball, said Theresa Merritt, a member of the Goldsboro Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. The Goldsboro Event Center is located at 1501 S. Slocumb St. <br />
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<a href="http://goldsboro.com/news/archives/2017/10/26/city_dedicates_pickleball_courts_at_event_center/">CLICK HERE</a> to read more.<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6692791851719579451.post-59188607171618451672017-10-16T07:47:00.002-04:002017-10-16T07:47:45.050-04:00Pickleballers earn medals<span style="font-size: x-small;">Published October 16, 2017 - </span><a href="http://www.claycountyprogress.com/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">www.claycountyprogress.com</span></a><br />
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Players from more than a dozen states traveled to Hiawassee for the Georgia Mountain Pickleball Fall Classic held Friday-Sunday, Oct. 6-8. <br />
<br />The mountain counties of North Carolina and Georgia were well represented in the event that drew almost 350 players from across the nation.<br />
<br />Players competed in women's doubles, men's singles and mixed doubles during the first two days of the event.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6692791851719579451.post-43245877878261423252017-10-15T23:19:00.000-04:002017-10-15T23:20:05.160-04:00Pickleball tournamemt raises funds for Special Pops<span style="font-size: x-small;">Published October 15, 2017 - </span><a href="http://www.savannahnow.com/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">www.savannahnow.com</span></a><br />
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The Landings Club hosted the second annual Special Pops Allstate/David Pence Pickleball Open on Saturday and Sunday — the largest pickleball tournament in Savannah (GA).<br />
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Players from the Savannah area comprised about half of the field of 150 competitors, reflecting the growing popularity of the sport in the area. Savannah players also medaled in 11 of the 13 competitive divisions in men’s doubles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles.<br />
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Other players came from the state, South Carolina, Florida and other parts of the Southeast as well as a few from as far away as Michigan and Ohio.<br />
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This tournament, sponsored by Allstate/David Pence Insurance Agency, was a fundraiser for the Savannah chapter of Special Pops (short for special populations). The program supports individuals in the community with intellectual challenges.<br />
<a href="http://savannahnow.com/sports/local-colleges/high-school/2017-10-15/pickleball-tournamemt-raises-funds-special-pops">CLICK HERE</a> to read more.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6692791851719579451.post-44240742582283382522017-10-15T23:04:00.001-04:002017-10-15T23:04:08.485-04:00New sport taking over Tallahassee <span style="font-size: x-small;">Published October 14, 2017 - </span><a href="http://www.wctv.com/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">www.wctv.com</span></a><br />
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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) -- Pickle ball, often described as "life size ping pong", is rapidly gaining popularity in the Big Bend. <br /><br />The sport is a combination of badminton, ping pong, and tennis and is played on a shortened tennis court. <br /><br />"I describe it as playing ping pong, but you're standing on the table," said Tallahassee Pickleball director Lenin Mongerie. <br /><br />Players use large wooden paddles and hit wiffle balls over a lowered net. <br /><br />The city of Tallahassee initially introduced pickle ball at the senior center, but now has nine courts throughout the city. <br /><br />"Pickleball can be played by all ages," Mongerie said. "The shortened court and paddles make it easier than tennis for seniors, but the fast pace also makes it new and exciting for younger people." <br /><br />The United State Pickleball Association reports that there are currently around 5 million pickleball players nationwide, and expects that number to grow to about 8 million by 2019. <br />
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<a href="http://www.wctv.tv/content/news/New-sport-taking-over-Tallahassee--450923363.html">CLICK HERE</a> to read more.<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6692791851719579451.post-56792433915368728262017-09-17T16:10:00.000-04:002017-09-17T16:10:07.884-04:00'An event for everyone': Pensacola (FL) Senior Games brings out competitive spirit<span style="font-size: x-small;">Published September 17, 2017 - </span><a href="http://www.pnj.com/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">www.pnj.com</span></a><br />
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Robert Blouin knows his parents and grandparents weren't as active as he is at age 67.<br /><br />"They were on the couch or in the rocking chair,'' Blouin said. "Not very mobile."<br /><br />Not Blouin and his fellow seniors at the William J. "Red" Vickrey Resource Center on Friday. Dozens of folks ages 50 and older took to the hard courts for a pickle ball tournament — part of the Pensacola Senior Games, which run through Sept. 24.<br /><br />Minutes later, Blouin was on the court at the Vickrey Center swatting the pickle ball — think wiffle ball — with his paddle, which resembles an over-sized table tennis paddle.</div>
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<a href="http://www.pnj.com/story/news/2017/09/17/pensacola-senior-games-brings-out-competitive-spirit/669519001/">CLICK HERE</a> to read more.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6692791851719579451.post-72896541601830054662017-09-06T22:21:00.000-04:002017-09-06T22:21:24.358-04:00Enterprise (AL) to host inaugural Pickleball Social<span style="font-size: x-small;">Published September 6, 2017 - </span><a href="http://www.southeastsun.com/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">www.southeastsun.com</span></a><br />
<br />Enterprise Parks and Recreation will be hosting the inaugural Pickleball Social this Thursday, Sept. 7, at 5:45 p.m. at the M.N. Brown Rec Center.<br /><br />This event is free to people that want to learn to how play Pickleball. All equipment will be provided free of charge after everyone is taught how to play. Games will be played, too.<br /><br />Hamburgers and chips will also be provided for those in attendance for free.<br />
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<a href="http://www.southeastsun.com/sports/article_09e4c148-9318-11e7-bb75-9bdd23af79a6.html">CLICK HERE</a> to read more.<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6692791851719579451.post-56259719031463226172017-08-28T13:37:00.000-04:002017-08-28T13:37:29.128-04:002017 Aiken (SC) Pickleball Tournament<span style="font-size: x-small;">Published </span><a href="http://www.pickledillys.com/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">www.pickledillys.com</span></a><br />
<br />The fifth annual Palmetto Indoor Pickleball Doubles Invitational was held from August 17 through August 20. Tournament co-directors Mo Garcia and Keith Shaver did an outstanding job putting together a fantastic event. Over 200 participants enjoyed a day of clinics, lessons and pro-am events, a Friday evening social, and last but not least three days of pickleball made up of 24 separate events in men’s, women’s and mixed doubles. Participants also received lunch each day they played and a swag bag stuffed full of goodies that was an actual paddle cover. Where else do you see that?<br /><br />The tournament owes a debt of gratitude to the many generous sponsors, most especially the Platinum level sponsor Scott Singer, financial adviser w/ Janney Montgomery LLC. Thanks also go out to our Gold level sponsors, the USAPA (c/o Mike & Loretta Beckner, Ambassadors), Mo Power Sport (supplier of paddles, nets, balls, t-shirts, medals and paddle covers). Silver level sponsors included Security Federal Bank, South Aiken Physical Therapy, and G4 Power Products. Bronze level sponsors included CMI-Carolina Muscular Institute, Baker Family Dentistry and Suzy Haslup Realty. Pickleball Central, Paddletek, LongHorn Steakhouse, Golden Corral and Chick-fil-a also contributed. Without their assistance and support, the event would not have been the tremendous success it was. If you get the chance, please show your appreciation by patronizing those who supported us.<br /><br />Mike Beckner and Jim Kabel marshalled a force of over 90 volunteers who donated time and talent to supporting this year's pickleball tournament. Special thanks go to Nelson Spitnale (in charge of the tournament desk volunteers), Bill Reynolds (court monitors), Loretta Beckner (referees), Connie Dennis (swag bags), Pat Smith (t-shirts) and Sharon McMichael (registration desk). The lunch room was managed by Donna Vetsch, Kathy Reiter, Kathy Clemmens, John and Sherry Myers, Nancy Hughes, Rita Supan, and Jane Deese. Maria James, Denis Bonnet, and Michele Bullington did the facility management. Thanks to all these efforts, this year's tournament was an unqualified success!<br /><br />The weekend kicked off with world class professional pickleball players and national champions Simone Jardim and Laura Fenton Kovanda running clinics and lessons for 45 players. After the lessons, we were treated to a pro-am event. Eighteen Aiken Pickledillys got to play a game with the pros. The last two games saw our best teams, Tony Quick/Vicki McNair and Josh Booth/Jordan Goetzman, line up on the same side and take on the pros head to head.<br />
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<a href="http://pickledillys.com/node/573">CLICK HERE</a> to read more.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0