Florida Good Life Senior Games

Hello to all you former Good Life Games participants.

It's that time of year again. We are prepared and ready for a record year of participation. So, tell your friends, your nighbors, your relatives, and everyone you know that is over 50 that it is time to have a good time meeting, competing, and enjoying the company of other senior athletes.

The website has all the information and downloadable registration forms, calendars, and other pertinent information.   Pickleball Doubles and Mixed Doubles - March 19-20, 2013, Seminole, Fl.    Singles competition - April 6, 2013, Clearwater, FL

Go to http://www.goodlifegames.org/ for all the latest information. We are looking forward to see everyone again this year and meeting many new participants.

Dennis Sweeney and the board of the Good Life Games

Let's play pickleball
 TBO.com  January 16, 2012, Tampa Bay,FL

 Hillsborough County Parks Recreation and Conservation has recognized the exploding nature of the sport and is introducing programs at some of its community centers.

 "We started a pickleball club with eight to 10 players at Northdale last November," said programs specialist Russell Elefterion. "Now we have 38." Elefterion said the club was formed in response to requests from seniors there. The Northdale Recreation Center provides free lessons at 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, and club members travel once a month as a group to play teams in places like Anna Maria Island, Clearwater and St. Pete Beach. They will be coming to Sun City Center in April.

Also, the Gardenville Community Center in Gibsonton is adding pickleball to its programs this month.

"It's definitely an up-and-coming sport," said Dave Ramirez, recreation programs supervisor. "Pickleball is the biggest event in our Tampa Bay Senior Games every October."

Now you can play Pickleball in LaBelle
florida.newszap.com, January 21, 2013, Labelle, FL

 Local organizer Karen Bilcsik has been a devotee ever since she first learned of the sport a short time ago. She and a handful of enthusiasts got Hendry Recreation Director Ramon Rodriguez on board and now there’s a pickleball court at the Community Civic Park, just west of LaBelle Elementary School - one of the few public pickleball courts anywhere in the area.  READ MORE

Tournament News from Nancy and Cindy

Thanks to all of you for making the first ever Tanglewood Winter Classic a weekend of fun and great pickleball!! The tournament had 136 participants and many volunteers that worked very hard to make this a success. We have attached the names of all the medal winners in the tournament. Congratulations!!

A huge THANK YOU to all the referees, transport drivers, and all volunteers who worked very hard behind the scenes of the event. This tournament could not have happened without teamwork. Thanks to all the folks at the Tanglewood Community   CLICK HERE for tournament medal winners.

We would like to remind everyone that the deadline for the City of Fort Myers Skatium Classic is fast approaching. You may get the entry forms from our website pickleballspecialties.com or just CLICK HERE. This will be an indoor sanctioned tournament.

 We are also looking for referees and other volunteers for the Atlantic South Regional. We will have 16 courts and we are expecting approximately 225 players from all over the country. There will be a banner on the courts with the names of "Friends of Pickleball" for any individual, pickleball club, or any company that would like to make a $200.00 donation.If you are willing to volunteer at the tournament or become a "Friend of Pickleball," please email us as soon as possible.

Thanks again to all of you for making the Tanglewood Tournament a success. We hope to see all of you in Naples at the Atlantic South Regional!!

Sincerely,

Pickleball drawing a crowd in Fort Mill 
Fortmilltimes.com, January 14, 2013, Fort Mill,SC

Harvey and Frank Kinder, both Sun City residents in Indian Land, are ambassadors through the USA Pickleball Association. They’re hosting clinics at the Fort Mill gym 1-3 p.m. each Wednesday in January, and open play 1-3 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

 They’ve also taught the game at Indian Land Middle School, and worked with counties and homebuilders to find opportunities for new pickleball courts or, as is increasingly more common, repurposed tennis courts converted for the game. 

“It’s addictive,” said Harvey’s husband Fred. “You play, and you’re hooked.”

Tanglewood's Winter Classic Pickleball Tournament

www.sunnews.com, January 9, 2013,  Sebring, FL

More than 130 pickleball players from Central Florida descended upon Tanglewood for the Winter Classic Tournament held Saturday Jan., 5 and Sunday, Jan. 6.

The tournament, sponsored by Alan J. Holmes of Edward Jones and the Alan Jay Automotive Network was a rated tournament.

READ MORE

Additional news, photos and all tournament winners can be found on the Tanglewood Website. 

Tournament Deadlines Approaching....

The following tournament deadlines are quickly approaching.   If you are planning on participating in any of the following tournaments - please make sure that your registration form has been submitted:

Geezer Meister - Summerfield, Fl -  REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS JANUARY 11, 2013

Jacksonville, NC Senior Pickleball Tournament - REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS JANURAY 18, 2013.  Discounted Hotel rates now available.  CLICK HERE

Daytona Beach Pickleball Tournament - REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS JANUARY 20, 2013. Discounted Hotel Rates available.  CLICK HERE

Gulf Coast Senior Games Bradenton, FL.  - REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 1, 2013


DON'T MISS OUT ON THE FUN AND COMPETITION - REGISTER NOW!

Pickleball celebrates 2nd
 anniversary next week

vancnews.com, January 2, 2013, Warrenton, NC

Next week, pickleball players will celebrate the second anniversary of organized matches here for the sport with the odd name, as games resume each Wednesday.

Local pickleball enthusiasts, from the left, Linda Kidd, Sylvia Fletcher and Cynthia Dickinson, get in one last session before the holiday break.
READ MORE........