Meet Byron and Marsha Freso

Byron and Marsha Freso-
Ambassadors, Wimauma, FL

After over a year of searching for the right "retirement" community in Florida, in March 2011 Marsha and Byron Freso moved into Valencia Lakes in Wimauma (near Sun City Center about 25 miles south of Tampa).

Marsha is originally from Detroit, Michigan and Byron hails from Guyana, South America. They met and married in Atlanta, Georgia 32 years ago and after living there for over 25 years, they were ready for a change. After moving to Valencia Lakes, being avid sportspeople, the Fresos learned to play pickleball.

They continue to hone their skills, although they have collected over three dozen medals from various pickleball tournaments they have played in the southeast this past year. Byron is President of the Valencia Lakes Pickleball Club, which has grown to 108 members. The Club sponsors group clinics for beginning players and ladder play for the more seasoned players. In addition, the Club’s Mentor Program is set up to assist new players on a one-to-one basis. The community has four permanent pickleball courts and is in the process of adding three more to better support the volume of daily activity.

Intermediate Pickleball Clinic with Coach Mo

Coach Mo from the Villages held a senior center sponsored intermediate Pickleball clinic on Tuesday August 7, 2012 at the new pickleball courts in Daytona Beach Shores, Fl

You can usually find Coach Mo playing pickleball somewhere in The Villages, Fl when he is not giving his Monday afternoon clinics.

But on Tuesday 21 people from the Volusia County area signed up for his clinic. According to Ronnie Jackson, Manager of the Daytona Beach Shores Senior Center...:  This event was well received and we will offer another in September for beginners and intermediates. Date will be announced soon.

 

COSTA RICKA ADVENTURE - MAY 2013

Information provided by Audrey Phillips

 In May of this year 131 pickleball players and friends from all over the U.S. and Canada came together at an all-inclusive resort in Jamaica for a week of unlimited eating, drinking, watersports and, of course, pickleball. Unfortunately, the grapevine did not reach everyone; many USAPA members and friends did not hear about the trip or were not able to participate.

At the request of this year’s participants, Audrey Phillips, USAPA ambassador, San Diego and the organizer of the adventure, is planning another for 2013.

The May 2013 pickleball adventure will be held at the Westin Playa Conchal in Costa Rica. This all-inclusive resort has been selected as one of the top 100 resorts in the world by Travel & Leisure magazine.

 In addition to 16 pickleball courts with daily play for all ages and skill levels, focused clinics and a mini tournament, the trip package includes deluxe junior suites, unlimited food and drink at eight restaurants and six bars and special events just for our pickleball group.

Snorkeling and kayaking, hiking in the resort’s nature preserve and evening entertainment are also included. Golf, scuba diving and other activities are available at a special group rate. Group airfare is also available. Eco-friendly Costa Rica lends itself to river rafting, rainforest exploration and jungle cruises. Tamarindo, an artist colony and surfing paradise, welcomes shoppers.

The dates for the trip are May 2 to 9, 2013. It is open to all ages and skill levels.

CLICK HERE for a brochure that you can download and print. It includes detailed information on the resort and pickleball.

CLICK HERE to download the registration form


For more information about the Pura Vida Pickleball Adventure, contact Audrey Phillips at veryaud2@mac.com or 858-756-3356.

Student Scholarship Tournament, Connestee Fall, NC

How do you combine Pickleball and educational scholarships? You run a tournament whose proceeds benefit county high school and college scholarships. And that's what Connestee Falls Mountain Picklers have done. The Connestee Falls Student Scholarship Program is celebrating its 25th anniversary and boasts having raised over $550,000 for our students. The pickleball club in the community, Mountain Picklers, has hosted their second tournament for the program. This year the club raised over $4300 and more than doubled our last year efforts. Although weather delayed the Men's and Womens doubles for a week, we did finish the tournament July 20th. Pictures and videos are available on our website,  NC Pickleball in Brevard,

The winners are as follows:

Mixed Doubles- with 19 teams participating: 3rd - Joyce and Bear Baila of Connestee Falls, NC 2nd - Loretta and Mike Beckner of Aiken, SC and 1st - Rene' Wilson and George Vickery of Connestee Falls, NC

Women's Doubles - with 8 teams registered: 3rd - Marian Wolf and Karen Wolf of Connestee Falls and Cedar Mountain, NC 2nd - Barbara Vaughn and Lynn Milner of Canton and Waynesville, NC and 1st - Rene' Wilson and Deb Richter of Connestee Falls, NC

Men's Doubles - with 11 teams registered: 3rd - Bob Brockway and John Dreier of Connestee Falls, NC 2nd - Heath Whittle and Carl Schumacher of Connestee Falls, NC and 1st - Rick Erzol and Pete Landry of Leicester and Hendersonville, NC

Fun Tournament - 3rd - Sue Ziegler of Connestee Falls, NC 2nd - Ingrid Jackson of Connestee Falls, NC and 1st - Judith Johnson of Connestee Falls, NC

Teams from as far away as Florida, South Carolina and of course, North Carolina joined in the effort. Thank you and congratulations to everyone who participated and to the merchants and donors who helped with this awesome event.

 See you all next year!

2012 USAPA National Tournament Update
By Gigi LeMaster and Steve Wong,
2012 USAPA Nationals Tournament Directors

You thought Wimbledon tennis was exciting, well wait till the USAPA Nationals IV Pickleball Tournament in Buckeye, Ariz., Nov. 4 to 12. The USAPA National Tournament is the annual blockbuster of tournaments. All year long players participate in local, regional and state tournaments in preparation for testing their skills in this exciting national event.

The USAPA National Tournament, which is open to all USAPA members (membership required), is two competitions rolled into one. There are age-category events – women’s and men’s singles, doubles and mixed doubles -- beginning with youth and extending upward into 80+ age brackets, and open competition, which allows players, regardless of age, to compete equally. This year for the first time, open competition is limited to USAPA skill levels 4.0 and higher. Although we are the new tournament directors, previous directors are still very active in the background and always ready to let us tap their vast knowledge and experience. In the fierce competition of the USAPA National Tournament powerful overhead slams, precision dinks from anywhere on the court, sideline winners and lightening-fast volleys are the norm. The heart-pounding matches where the best meet the best are certain to be a rewarding learning experience, whether you are a participant or spectator. Attending the National Tournament is a week of guaranteed excitement and camaraderie!

Visit http://nationals.usapa.org for the Event Schedule, to volunteer and to register to play. The registration deadline is October 5, 2012. Register now to guarantee your spot!

2013 National Senior Games Association Qualifying Events


Check out the following site for qualifying State Olympic Games and get qualified for the NSGA Nationals in Cleveland, Ohio, July, 2013: http://www.nsga.com/state-senior-games/summer-games. Click on the state you would like information about and get registered.

August "Hot Spots" for a qualifying event include: Delaware, Idaho, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Wisconsin and Wyoming. You must qualify to participate in the 2013 NSGA National tournament.

NOTE:  Atlantic South States Qualifying months: : 
Alabama - May (Completed)
Florida - December
Georgia - September
North Carolina - September/Octobr
South Carolina -  May (Completed)

If picklebal is not played in your State Games -  you will need to qualify for the Nationals in another State's Games.

PICKLEBALL-  FUNNY NAME, FUN SPORT
PeachtreeCorners.patch.com

Pickelball was brought to the Robert D. Fowler YMCA by Joe and Peggy O’Toole who were introduced to the sport while visiting relatives in Texas. The couple are avid tennis players and soon discovered that when unable to play tennis because of weather conditions they could always play Pickleball.

Since the Y started the sport in January many people have expressed an interest and have joined in the fun. The beauty of this game is that it is easy for beginners to learn, but can develop into a fast-paced, competitive game for experienced players and it is great for all ages!

Upcoming Tournament at Pelican Bay - Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach pickleball players who were willing to brave the heat of Florida, met for a Round Robin social which included six rounds of pickleball and a brunch. New players had fun and enjoyed the round robin game which gave them the opportunity to play with better players. Tom Southard and Debby Dempsey were the winners, with 53 and 49 points respectively.

 The social was hosted by Cathy Stansbury, USAPA ambassador for Daytona Beach. Pelican Bay Tennis/Pickleball Club has been kind enough to make their 4 converted tennis courts and one lined pickleball court available to Daytona Beach pickleball players for regular play and round robin socials. With their club house, showers, restrooms and 5 courts, it is a great place for small tournaments and socials.

They will be hosting the first pickleball tournament in Daytona Beach, Feb. 8 to the 10. Go to www.daytonapickleball.com for more information about the tournament.

Registration will be available after September 1.