Atlantic South Players Comments on the USAPA Nationals

Jim Wright
For the second time my wife Janice and I made the trip west to Arizona. The long flight, travel, rental car, hotel... but all the work was worth it. The USAPA Nationals tournament is simply the best there is. Despite a day of rain and some wind, it ran perfectly. The level of play was just outstanding. When I was not playing, I had so many great matches to watch. I only wish I had 10 sets of eyes to watch them all. I really enjoy the feeling of comradeship that develops over the week we spend in that beautiful desert setting. People that I had not met on Monday were friends by Friday. And getting to watch those young kids (19 to 49) run and jump and hit and yell was a real treat. To sum it up, the USAPA National Pickleball Tournament just cannot be beat."
Jim, from The Villages in central Florida, played Men’s Doubles 65+ (Gold medal) and Mixed Doubles 60+

Jeff Shank
"2011 was my third Nationals and it just keeps getting better each year. I am always amazed that more players don't make this event a priority. What other sport can you go and watch and play against the best players in the world? Every year my game has improved just by watching and talking with these top players. These cream-of-the-crop players are so diehard that most evenings after already playing for 8 hours, they go play at other local venues.
The highlight of this year’s Nationals for me was not the winning a medal, but getting invited to go and play with/against these top players after hours."
Jeff, from The Villages in central Florida., played Men’s Doubles 55+ (Bronze medal), Men’s Singles 65+, Mixed Doubles 55+, Open Men’s Doubles and Open Mixed Doubles.


Laura Patterson
"This was my third year at Nationals and I think this was the best one yet. We stayed in the Del Webb Vacation Villas and that was a real treat; it was good to be so close to the courts. I only made it through two rounds in mixed doubles, but missed the medal round by one match in women's doubles. In addition to playing, the highlight of the tournament for me was being able to help out by serving as a line judge for several matches. It's a great way to see and learn from some of the best players in the game! I enjoyed my experience again this year and am very much looking forward to playing in next year's National tournament."
Laura, USAPA Board Secretary from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, played Women’s Doubles 55+ and Mixed Doubles 55+

Kelly Recreation Center, Lakeland, Fl

This photo appeared on line at theledger.com on January 8th.

The Kelly Recreation Complex was the venue (outside) for the Florida State and International Senior Games in December 2011 and is a great place to play if you are visiting near the Lakeland, Tampa, Fl area.  Check the 'places to play' page on the USAPA website for scheduled play times.


Bob Yuhas serves during a game of pickleball at the Kelly Recreation Center in Lakeland. Kelly Rec is offering singles and doubles versions of pickleball, played on both indoor and outdoor courts.

Photo by Scott Wheeler
The Ledger, January 8, 2012

 



Pickleball in Norcross, GA

Paddles Up! Pickleball has Arrived at the Y
Peachtreecorners.patch.com
January 6, 2012

"One of the good things about pickleball is you can learn it in one session,” said Peggy O'Toole, one of the Fowler Pickleball players. Come join in on Mondays and Thursdays at 10:00 a.m.

Join in on the fun at the Robert D. Fowler YMCA in Peachtree Corners

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And the Cold Weather reaches the Space Coast

The cold of winter doesn't stop pickleball players from taking to the courts!. 

Last week the cold weather moved through Georgia.  Recently the temperatures in Florida reached well below freezing.

Scott Nelson, Florida's ambassador for the Space Coast, shares these
pictures of his group playing at their newest facility.   

"Things are rocking on the Space Coast, we currently have 70 people that are playing Pickleball on the Space Coast.

Our newest venue is our first outdoor facility. The City of West Melbourne has welcomed this new game and we are now utilizing the tennis courts at the Veterans Memorial Facility in West Melbourne. Attached are some pics of the play on the coldest night this season.

We are also scheduling a series beginners clinics to begin this month at all of the host facilities."

Frostbite Pickleball Players - North Georgia

Happy New Year!

"I thought you might like to run one of these pictures of our hardy Pickleball players (left to right) Ken Riordon, Dale Flores, Tom Earley, and  Jason Ahrens.They braved the 40 degree temperatures and 20 mph winds this morning to play for two hours while a "Blue Norther" hit North Georgia!"

Ann Earley

Geezers and Gals - Holi-Daze

Submitted by Al Rosati
Ambassador, The Villages, Fl

This was so much fun As you can see by the picture the players really got into the Holi-Daze spirit. This marks the 3rd year for this event and hopefully we'll continue for many more.

Interesting concept that I tried for the 1st time this year. We drew names from two hats and matched partners. It was a more evenly matched format.

Of the 12 teams entered, the winning team of Carol Hoeft and Tom Sosko defeated the runner up team of Sue Greenberg and Bob Wilkinson 14-12.

Other Holi-Daze players included:

Siri Rossman/ Doug Moffatt

Wanda Dorn/ Rick Hoeft

Billy Jean Montalbano/ Randy Lilly

Sharon Baller/ John Dragotta

Diane Cupples/ Vic Slider

Gena Lilly/ Jim Magee

Jan Cervi/ George Odom

Pam Nettlebeck/ Oliver Welch

Chris Leedy/ Chuck Dorn

Caryn Krisha/ Tom Kuck

Pickleball players assist Toy for Tots campaign
 Saturday, December 17, 2011, The Villages Daily Sun.com

Garf Cooper was well aware that Villages residents go above and beyond when it comes to the season of giving.

A Thursday morning pickleball tournament provided a fresh reminder.

Rather than paying an entry fee, participants in the recent advanced ability level 4.0, 4.5 open tournament, hosted by the Pickleball Community Volunteer Group and The Villages Recreation Department, were asked to donate a new, unwrapped toy for the Marine Corps League’s annual holiday effort.

Thanks to players’ generosity, 74 shiny new toys were added to the Toys for Tots collection. 

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Waccamaw Sports Classic - Conway, SC

GEORGETOWN -   Pickleball  at the 4th Annual Waccamaw Sports Classic will be held Friday, April 20, 2012 at 10 a.m. at Coastal Carolina University.

Modeled after the Olympic Games, the Classic enables those who are 50, and BETTER, to come together for a day of recreational and competitive sporting competitions.

The Classic is a partnership between the Georgetown, Horry and Williamsburg County Parks and Recreation Departments, Myrtle Beach Recreation Department, Coastal Carolina University Waccamaw Area Agency on Aging and Georgetown, Horry and Williamsburg Councils on Aging.

Here are the medal winners from last year's event!!

For more information on the pickleball event, contact
USAPA Ambassador, Rena Grant
843-294-2315