Friday, August 26, 2011
Myrtle Beach Players
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Experiencing Pickleball in The Villages
Submitted by Rich and Donna Donald
New Tampa, Fl Ambassadors
Rich and I are fortunate to have the opportunity to spend some time this summer in The Villages, Florida. The Villages is probably one of the very largest pickleball communities in the country today, and it is also home to one of the very best pickleball instructors, Richard Movsessian, aka Coach Mo.
Every Monday, residents here can attend a FREE Pickleball Skills Clinic geared to improving technique, strategy and .... having a lot of fun.
Coach “Mo”, assisted by other Picklball Medalists, conducts a clinic from 3:00 - 4:30 PM at the Churchill Recreation Center Courts. The Clinic consists of 2 sessions held on consecutive Mondays. Even during the summer, when many of the snowbirds have gone north, the sign up sheets fill up fast!!!
While visiting here, I have had the opportunity to participate in the clinics, while Rich has worked along side Coach Mo as one of his "assistant coaches".
Above, Rich, Coach Mo and Pete, one of the other " assistant coaches" demonstrate and work with the participants.
Here are some of the folks that were attending this past Monday learning the proper grip, forehand and backhand strokes and then doing drills practice those as well as the "soft game".
We have never met anyone who enjoys "teaching" the game as much as they enjoy playing, and anyone who wants to improve their level of play takes advantage of his excellent instruction.
Even visitors or guests at The Villages can take advantage of his training.
This picture was taken after USAPA Ambassadors George and Anita Rimler (left) from Daytona Beach Shores finished their "private lessons" with Coach Mo. Rich (far right) and I joined the three of them for a pickleball story sharing lunch before they headed back to the east coast.
The Villages is a great place to play pickleball..................and they have so many high level players because they do an outstanding job of teaching people the game and helping people to improve their skill levels.
The Pickleball Community Volunteer Group (PCVG) works in conjunction with The Villages Recreation Department in scheduling training, events, and tournaments for all levels of play. There is Pickleball 101, 102 and 103 which is beginner training, sheduled several times throughout the month as well as Advanced Beginner play. USAPA Ambassador for The Villages, Garf Cooper, is also a PCVG member and is the chairperson for the Beginner and Advanced Beginner Programs. There are nine other pickleball players who are members of PCVG, headed by Steve Richter, who are responsible for the website and player e-mail communication, Publicity, Rating System, Rules, Intermediate and Advanced League play, Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Tournaments/Programs... and so on...........
Training is also available from Deb Harrison, another community Pickleball Teaching Professional.
Deb Harrison works through the Lifelong Learning College. She is one of the very best -- a gold medalist many times over in highly competitive local, state and national competitions. She is well know for her professionalism, patience and excellent communications skills. Several individuals and groups have spent time with Deb and were extremely pleased with the lessons they received.
What a great place to live.........What a great place to learn and to play pickleball.
New Tampa, Fl Ambassadors
Rich and I are fortunate to have the opportunity to spend some time this summer in The Villages, Florida. The Villages is probably one of the very largest pickleball communities in the country today, and it is also home to one of the very best pickleball instructors, Richard Movsessian, aka Coach Mo.
Every Monday, residents here can attend a FREE Pickleball Skills Clinic geared to improving technique, strategy and .... having a lot of fun.
Coach “Mo”, assisted by other Picklball Medalists, conducts a clinic from 3:00 - 4:30 PM at the Churchill Recreation Center Courts. The Clinic consists of 2 sessions held on consecutive Mondays. Even during the summer, when many of the snowbirds have gone north, the sign up sheets fill up fast!!!
While visiting here, I have had the opportunity to participate in the clinics, while Rich has worked along side Coach Mo as one of his "assistant coaches".
We have never met anyone who enjoys "teaching" the game as much as they enjoy playing, and anyone who wants to improve their level of play takes advantage of his excellent instruction.
Even visitors or guests at The Villages can take advantage of his training.This picture was taken after USAPA Ambassadors George and Anita Rimler (left) from Daytona Beach Shores finished their "private lessons" with Coach Mo. Rich (far right) and I joined the three of them for a pickleball story sharing lunch before they headed back to the east coast.
The Villages is a great place to play pickleball..................and they have so many high level players because they do an outstanding job of teaching people the game and helping people to improve their skill levels.
The Pickleball Community Volunteer Group (PCVG) works in conjunction with The Villages Recreation Department in scheduling training, events, and tournaments for all levels of play. There is Pickleball 101, 102 and 103 which is beginner training, sheduled several times throughout the month as well as Advanced Beginner play. USAPA Ambassador for The Villages, Garf Cooper, is also a PCVG member and is the chairperson for the Beginner and Advanced Beginner Programs. There are nine other pickleball players who are members of PCVG, headed by Steve Richter, who are responsible for the website and player e-mail communication, Publicity, Rating System, Rules, Intermediate and Advanced League play, Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Tournaments/Programs... and so on...........
Training is also available from Deb Harrison, another community Pickleball Teaching Professional.
Deb Harrison works through the Lifelong Learning College. She is one of the very best -- a gold medalist many times over in highly competitive local, state and national competitions. She is well know for her professionalism, patience and excellent communications skills. Several individuals and groups have spent time with Deb and were extremely pleased with the lessons they received.
What a great place to live.........What a great place to learn and to play pickleball.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Fun is the name of their game
"When I first saw it, I thought it was going to be pretty hard," said Hadar, 11, who was part of the Sports Stars Summer Camp at Don Estridge Middle School in Boca Raton. "I didn't know if the racquets were going to hit the ball that well, but once I started playing, I liked it." READ MORE...
Festival instills in youths the positives of staying fit through sports activities, SunSentinel.com - July 24, 2011
Boca Raton's Sammy Hadar, 11, of the Sports Stars Summer Camp, tries his hand at pickleball during the annual Kids Fitness Festival of the Palm Beaches at the Palm Beach County Convention Center. (PHOTO BY GARY CURRERI, Sun Sentinel)
"When I first saw it, I thought it was going to be pretty hard," said Hadar, 11, who was part of the Sports Stars Summer Camp at Don Estridge Middle School in Boca Raton. "I didn't know if the racquets were going to hit the ball that well, but once I started playing, I liked it." READ MORE...
Monday, August 15, 2011
National Senior Games Winter Championships
Rochester, NY
September 28 - October2, 2011
Registration is now open for this year's Winter Championships. This year PICKLEBALL will be played in a new venue, the Gates Chili High School's Spartan Stadium.
You have until September 1st to register so you can get in on all the excitement of this NSGA NationalTournament, cosponsored by the USA Pickleball Association. With great playing, two outstanding free socials, and some fabulous sight-seeing opportunities, this year's Pickleball competition is shaping up to be the best yet. Rochester, NY is the host city for this 4th Annual NSGASenior Games Winter Championships. This year pickleball will be held atthe Gates Chili High School's Spartan Stadium, at 1 Spartan Way, just 5miles from the Rochester Airport. This is a world class facility with an outstanding wood floor, great lighting, and plenty of space to accommodate the tournament. While in the area you will want to visit some great places such as a trip to Niagara Falls, the Finger Lakes area, the Wine Trails, and other local famous places like the Susan BAnthony and George Eastman Houses.
Friday and Saturday will end with ahappy hour where drinks, food, entertainment, and great company can be had, all at no extra charge. Last year this alone was worth the cost of registration. So get on board and register for this exciting event.
For our pickleball RVers, there is dry camping available at the site. Contact us for additional information.
See you in Rochester.
David and Nancy Jordan
To Register: NSGASenior Games Flyer (pdf)
Additional information: davidjordan55@msn.com
615-210-7092
Monday, August 8, 2011
Pickleball Included in Kroc Center's Grand Opening, Augusta, GA
Submitted by:
Mike and Loretta Beckner,
Ambassadors - Aiken, SC
Just a followup on our pickleball demo at the Salvation Army's Kroc Center in Augusta, GA on Saturday August, 6th.
Eight players from our group in Aiken went to the Kroc Center to introduce pickleball. The Center had three net standards set up, a very large scree(approximately 16' x 20') on which they showed the USAPA Promotional DVD throughout the session. They also hung the USAPA banner nearby.
Anthony Taylor, the Sports Director, introduced us and then we gave a brief summary of the history of the sport as well as the basic rules for play.We then demonstrated the sport on two courts. 
Afterwards, we invited people in the stands to take a paddle and join us on the three courts to hit the ball and get a feel for it.Anyone who gave it a try was given a goodie bag of promotional items/advertising donated to us by 6 pickleball supply companies. Even the Mt. Olive Pickle Co. sent us magnets and bookmarks to include!
Afterwards, we invited people in the stands to take a paddle and join us on the three courts to hit the ball and get a feel for it.Anyone who gave it a try was given a goodie bag of promotional items/advertising donated to us by 6 pickleball supply companies. Even the Mt. Olive Pickle Co. sent us magnets and bookmarks to include!
Everyone seemed to enjoy the experience....we had people of all ages try the sport, but most of them were younger players, who really seemed to like it.
We have offered to go back to the Center to train some of the staff so that they can teach anyone who comes to play.
Hopefully, pickleball will take off in this wonderful new facility!
Click Here to see all the photos.
Friday, August 5, 2011
A reminder about the Winter National Senior Games
My name is Libby Woodruff and I am the Director of
Operations for the Monroe County Sports Commission located
in Rochester, NY. This year Rochester is the host of the
2011 Winter National Senior Games presented by Zimmer
Orthopedics.
The games are September 28th – October 2nd,
2011 and will be made up of 4 sports: pickleball, curling,
speedskating, and ice hockey.
During the games, athletes
will be treated to two player parties as well as play at
top-of-the-line facilities in our area. All athletes ages
50+ are welcome!
The community of Rochester, NY looks
forward to being the host and showcasing our city in the
best way possible. We are reaching out to you to please
spread the word on this amazing event. For more information
or contact me directly at
585.262.3832 ext 11.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Dog Days of Pickleball in Cherokee County!
Submitted by Ann Earley
N. GA Pickleball
Here is the North Georgia Pickleball Club playing in the Dog Days of
Summer. Temperature 98 degrees with a heat index of 105 degrees. Every
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday there are three courts of players
battling for 2+ hours and finally dripping off the court, many jumping in
the pool before heading home for the day.
Also on the courts today was Jessie Romito, Sports Director for the Summit at ATPP in Marietta, GA joining us to learn more about the game. After playing one game, she understood the addiction most people have to the game! Jessie hopes to introduce PickleBall to The Summit with an upcoming lecture and demonstration by Tom Earley and a group from the North Georgia Pickleball Club.
Earlier this week David and Nancy Jordan, USAPA National Board Members,
joined us to play. Quite a week for PB in Cherokee County!
N. GA Pickleball
Here is the North Georgia Pickleball Club playing in the Dog Days of
Summer. Temperature 98 degrees with a heat index of 105 degrees. Every
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday there are three courts of players
battling for 2+ hours and finally dripping off the court, many jumping in
the pool before heading home for the day.
 |
| Pat Dunn, John Pyle, Bill Whatley, Steve Everett and David Barron enjoying the N. Georgia Courts. |
David Barron recently moved to Cherokee County from Phoenix, Arizona and joined our group today bringing along his daughter, Jenn Barron, and introducing her to the game.
Earlier this week David and Nancy Jordan, USAPA National Board Members,
joined us to play. Quite a week for PB in Cherokee County!
Ambassadors Working Together in Mt. Pleasant, SC
- Pickleball Starts in Mt. Pleasant, SC
Submitted by Therese A. Shady, USAPA Ambassador, Capital District NY
(As written in the USAPA August E-Pickleball News)
Since it was my first winter in retirement, I decided to escape the blustery cold, ice, and snow in Albany, NY and winter in Mt. Pleasant - a suburb of Charleston, SC. Charleston is a charming historical city and Mt. Pleasant is a wonderful town with beautiful beaches nearby, BUT there was no pickleball. Since I couldn't survive without pickleball for four months, I immediately contacted the USAPA South Carolina ambassador Jim Hisman, who heads up a vibrant pickleball club at the Del Webb Cane Bay community about 40 minutes north of Charleston in Summerville, SC. To my delight I found out that Jim had been in touch with the Mt. Pleasant Senior Center and had already scheduled a pickleball demo clinic for March 3rd.
Over 40 people attended this first demo clinic. Jim, two other Cane Bay players, and I explained how to play pickleball by having a demo game, discussing rules, court position, and strategy. Then all 40 attendees got to try pickleball themselves. There were a lot of laughs, some great shots, and many immediate converts to the game we all love so much. Gary Jaster of the Mt. Pleasant Senior Center had scheduled more clinics and open play for the first and third Thursdays of each month until the end of April, and I volunteered to help run these clinics. I even took time out from my St Patrick's Day celebrations to run a clinic on that day - all decked out in green and white, as shown in the picture. What fun we had!!
There is plenty of interest in Mt. Pleasant for growing pickleball, but the arrival of hot and muggy weather by the end of April made it clear we needed portable nets and an indoor (air conditioned) venue. A $250 grant from the USAPA allowed the Mt. Pleasant Senior Center to order two USAPA portable net systems, and Gary is looking for an indoor venue to become operational this Fall.
One of the locals who attended the clinics, David Hirschhorn, is converting a cadre of highly skilled paddle tennis players to the game of pickleball in the interim. Another former upstate New Yorker, Emerson Horner, an experienced player from the Buffalo NY region who now lives in Mt. Pleasant, also helped at the clinics and became my trainer for the USAPA sanctioned Mid South tournament in Mandeville, LA where I, thanks to drilling with him and playing once in a while as a guest at Cane Bay, played well against nationally ranked competition.
Gary Jaster of the Mt Pleasant Senior Center is an enthusiastic advocate for the game. I know that when I return in the Fall, we'll have indoor courts so we can continue to grow our pickleball community. The future of pickleball in Mt. Pleasant looks bright. Soon we'll be able to host some local South Carolina tournaments with the Cane Bay and North Myrtle Beach pickleball clubs. Thanks to all who enabled me to play some pickleball while I wintered in South Carolina. I couldn't have survived without getting my pickleball fix satisfied.
Submitted by Therese A. Shady, USAPA Ambassador, Capital District NY
(As written in the USAPA August E-Pickleball News)
Since it was my first winter in retirement, I decided to escape the blustery cold, ice, and snow in Albany, NY and winter in Mt. Pleasant - a suburb of Charleston, SC. Charleston is a charming historical city and Mt. Pleasant is a wonderful town with beautiful beaches nearby, BUT there was no pickleball. Since I couldn't survive without pickleball for four months, I immediately contacted the USAPA South Carolina ambassador Jim Hisman, who heads up a vibrant pickleball club at the Del Webb Cane Bay community about 40 minutes north of Charleston in Summerville, SC. To my delight I found out that Jim had been in touch with the Mt. Pleasant Senior Center and had already scheduled a pickleball demo clinic for March 3rd.
There is plenty of interest in Mt. Pleasant for growing pickleball, but the arrival of hot and muggy weather by the end of April made it clear we needed portable nets and an indoor (air conditioned) venue. A $250 grant from the USAPA allowed the Mt. Pleasant Senior Center to order two USAPA portable net systems, and Gary is looking for an indoor venue to become operational this Fall.
One of the locals who attended the clinics, David Hirschhorn, is converting a cadre of highly skilled paddle tennis players to the game of pickleball in the interim. Another former upstate New Yorker, Emerson Horner, an experienced player from the Buffalo NY region who now lives in Mt. Pleasant, also helped at the clinics and became my trainer for the USAPA sanctioned Mid South tournament in Mandeville, LA where I, thanks to drilling with him and playing once in a while as a guest at Cane Bay, played well against nationally ranked competition.
Gary Jaster of the Mt Pleasant Senior Center is an enthusiastic advocate for the game. I know that when I return in the Fall, we'll have indoor courts so we can continue to grow our pickleball community. The future of pickleball in Mt. Pleasant looks bright. Soon we'll be able to host some local South Carolina tournaments with the Cane Bay and North Myrtle Beach pickleball clubs. Thanks to all who enabled me to play some pickleball while I wintered in South Carolina. I couldn't have survived without getting my pickleball fix satisfied.
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