Palm Beach County Pickleball

The Delray Beach/Boynton Beach pickleball group has welcomed many new faces over the past months during Tuesday and Thursday play at the Delray Beach Community Center and Saturday play at Caloosa Park in Boynton Beach. Some players are in Florida on vacation, while others live here year-round or during the winter season. Whoever shows up, we seem to make it work and have a good time. Diane and Pete Sepetanc, two veteran players from Canada, even introduced a way to rotate in players to maximize the mix of partners throughout the morning.



Ambassador Josh Kalin and Harriet Kalin
Coordinators extraordinaire who launched pickleball
in Palm Beach County

 Our group has introduced the game to beginners coming to the community center and to the park, and in an effort to spread the word about the sport, we’ve also conducted a “roadshow” demonstration at a tennis center in Boca Raton (which attracted 150 people!), at Valencia Isles and at Palm Greens. Hats off to Harriet Kalin and ambassador Josh Kalin, who have coordinated many details and operations of the various programs. In general, our experienced players have helped to educate newcomers at other locations as well. 

Thanks to the efforts of Eileen Tuckman and pickleball ambassador Bob Musella, Boynton Beach has agreed to sponsor pickleball on Monday and Friday mornings at the city’s community center. Play started there on March 11, and the gym accommodates three nets. On the first day, many new players arrived, and one court is dedicated to introducing novices to the sport. Ambassador Dick Freshley and his wife, Verna, played at the new location recently and were impressed with the facility.

Ambassador Bob Musella and Eileen Tuckman
Coordinators of play in Boynton Beach

A fun challenge match between Valencia Isles and the Delray group took place at Caloosa Park. Outdoor play has been tricky there because of the wind, but the day of the challenge the breeze was slight. Thanks to Eileen Tuckman, Bob Musella and Fred Markowitz for organizing and running the match! 

Our group is also working with the Palm Beach County recreation department on plans to open up more pickleball courts at Caloosa Park. An unused hockey rink would accommodate at least three more nets, and the county has asked the group to come up with a proposal about what is needed. As the game grows in popularity, it is important to have more courts.

Lastly, local newspapers have published several articles about pickleball, which has definitely helped to spread the word in Palm Beach County. Maybe the TV stations will show up next!

Pickleball Event Attracts Players

Published April 10, 2013 - www2.highlandstoday.com

- As pickleball continues to grow here in Highlands County, local pickleball players are looking for more opportunities to test their skills, meet new players and learn new techniques.

On Monday, the Tanglewood Pickleball Club invited players from Sebring Village, Sun ‘n Lake and Crystal Lake to join in a fun gathering referred to as the “Getting to Know You Gathering” where all 32 players had a chance to play six games each.

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East Naples Tournament

Hi to all East Naples Tournament Participants,

Thanks to all of you who made our tournament a big success this past weekend. There was lots of great competition and camaraderie. It was thrilling to us to see all the first time tournament players participate. Congratulations to all of you!!
Our special thanks go to Greg Gott from Pickleball, Inc. who flew here from Seattle, Washington to be a part of our tournament. Not only did he bring the newest paddle VENOM to unveil at the tournament, he also surprised all of us with the special paddle that had our tournament logo. We were able to give 10 tournament paddles to 10 gold medal winners. This was a first for any tournament and we feel very honored that Pickleball, Inc. supported our tournament as the major sponsor and the tournament paddles.

CLICK HERE for the results for the tournament as listed on the USAPA site. You may access the photos from the tournament by CLICKING HERE.

We also would like to thank everyone who volunteered during the tournaments this season and all the referees who helped us out. Many of you gave your time and it was greatly appreciated!

Thank you again for participating in the tournament and we look forward to seeing all of you in tournaments next season.

Cindy and Nancy

Demo/Clinic - Huge Success in Oakland Park

On Saturday, April 6th, FIFTY-FIVE people showed up at the Wimberly Athletics Complex in Oakland Park, FL where South Florida ambassador Mitch Ball was hosting a pickleball demo/clinic. Permanent lines have been painted converting the Hockey Rink at this Oakland Park to two pickleball courts. Also joining the group today to support the introduction of pickleball to Oakland park was former Congressman E. Clay Shaw. Both he and his wife took to the courts!

"Thank you to Barbie, Marty, Joel, Bob, Jeff and Glenna for all your
help to make this a huge success," says Mitch.

Joel Schaumberg is a Florida snowbird who plays and teaches pickleball regularly in Michigan. He came to help with the event and had the following to say: Great event, huge turn out, lost of new folks. Thank you, Mitchell. You hosted a wonderful event, and you do an amazing job representing pickleball .

Another pickleball demo/clinic is scheduled at Pine Island Park on April 25th, followed by Open Play. And the Town of Davie 1st Pickleball Tournament will take place on May 11, 2013, More information on these events and pickleball in South Florida Pickleball site.

CLICK HERE for more pictures of the Oakland Park demo/clinic.

Pickleball Craze Is Sweeping State

Published April 8, 2013 - www.orlandosentinel.com - Orlando, FL

Pete Patterson calls pickleball "a wonderful, positive addiction" — one that has many Florida seniors in its grip.

The 67-year-old Patterson teaches pickleball, a game similar to badminton that's popular with older people who are looking for something more exciting than shuffleboard. His students in Lake County usually experience some weight loss and an increase in endurance from playing pickleball. He noted one energetic pupil of his.

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First Annual Silver Lakes/Lakewood Country Club Challenge

The First Annual Silver Lakes/Lakewood Country Club Challenge was held on March 27, 2013 at the Silver Lakes RV Resort and Golf Club located on Route 951 in Naples, FL. Thirty-two players competed in a special format arranged by Bob Helder and his wife Lynn. The games started as a round-robin for men and women separately and ended with a surprise twist of a mixed doubles event to compete for the travelling trophy. Special thanks to Jean Nevoraski, who hand crafted this incredible pickleball trophy that now resides in a prominent place in the Lakewood Country Club Fairway Room. Lakewood won the event by a narrow margin and now will get to keep the trophy at their club until next year when the teams vie again to take the prize home!

 The event was organized perfectly; the games kept going all afternoon and over 100 spectators were in attendance. Everyone had a great time.  The competition was at a high level and new friendships were formed. According to the "grapevine," both clubs are working hard to improve their games to be ready for next year!!

Senior Games Begin

Published April 6, 2013 - www.jdnews.com - Jacksonville, NC

Onslow Senior Games will host its annual event for active residents 55 and older beginning this week on Tuesday.

Pickle ball and table tennis games will take place at 9 and 10 a.m.Tuesday at Jacksonville Commons Recreation Center, followed by billiards on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. at the USO and bowling at Bowlarena at noon.

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Acoustifence Reduces Pickleball Court Noise by More Than 50 Percent USA Pickleball Association Test Shows

Published April 4, 2013 - www.digitaljournal.com - Yuma, AZ

Acoustifence soundproofing material placed around a pickleball court reduced noise by 10-12 decibels in a sound meter test conducted by USA Pickleball Association president Bill Booth on April 17, 2012 at the Country Roads RV Village pickleball courts in Yuma, Ariz. This represents more than a 50 percent reduction in sound as perceived by the human ear the report concludes.

Even as one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States continues to gain new participants and fans every day, pickleball is disturbing some neighbors and communities who don’t want the courts around because paddle noise has become a nuisance issue for some people living close to the courts.

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