Pickleball Demo at our Local Farmer's Market

Submitted by Bob Dean,
Ambassador, Ponte Vedra, Fl

Bob shares some information and some pictures on the recent pickleball demonstration that a few of the players did at a recent Nocatee Farmers Market.

The following is from the Nocatee Blog in an article titled  Fit N Fun Nocatee Farmers Market Recap.   Nocatee is a new coastal community in Northeast Florida that blends a variety of neighborhoods with schools, parks, libraries, recreation, offices, shopping, restaurants and so much more. Located in world renowned Ponte Vedra, Florida, Nocatee is just a few minutes away from pristine beaches, golf courses, business parks and major airports in downtown Jacksonville and St. Augustine.

On Saturday, November 17th, residents and guests gathered on the Farmers Market Field to celebrate the Fit N’ Fun themed Nocatee Farmers Market with live-entertainment, a rock climbing wall, group exercise class demos, pickleball play, inflatable slides and 70+ local vendors. Lending to the ‘Fit N’ Fun’ theme, this Farmers Market featured a rock climbing wall and makeshift pickleball court.

 Set up in the Farmers Market Field corner, closest to the Greenway Trail System trailhead, this rock climbing wall had three different walls for climbers to choose. A pickleball court where everyone could learn more about “America’s Fastest Growing Sport” and practice their skills was set up by the USA Pickleball Association, USAPA. On the temporary court, in between the Farmers Market Field and Nocatee’s featured amenity - Splash Water Park, everyone enjoyed the ‘tennis like’ game and putting their forehand to good use.

Bob reports on the day as well:  We battled 25 mph winds and cold weather introducing this sport to several Nocatee residents. We hope to hold more events in the future. There were several interested players despite the lower attendance caused by the inclement weather. I am attaching some photos of the fun activity.

Meet our New Ambassadors from Cornelius, NC

Submitted by Dan Kiurski 

Bob Nibarger and I are the recently appointed PB ambassadors for North Mecklenburg County in NC. About 18 months ago we moved with our wives to Bailey’s Glen. This new 55+ active adult community is in Cornelius, NC, about 20 minutes north of Charlotte. I was introduced to pickleball in Michigan after playing handball for about 40 years. Bob was the coach of a championship girls softball team and start playing pickleball shortly after moving to NC. We have worked together to foster the growth of pickleball both in our community and in the local area. We conduct group clinics and offer individual instruction. Bob worked with city officials to start a program offering pickleball for seniors in a school gym. Our first session had over 24 participants anxious to learn about our great sport! The growth we have seen in this area has been rewarding, and we are only at the beginning stage. We plan to offer many of the same promotional activities as we work to introduce pickleball into different venues and add additional courts.

YOU ARE INVITED

PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT

 Doubles

 Tuesday, March 5, 2013 

 Mixed Doubles 

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

 Solivita, Poinciana, Florida

 For Men and Women 50 Years and Over 

 Event Manager – Mike Holtzclaw 

 Call or email NOW to request an entry booklet that will be mailed the first week of January 2013.

   863-533-0055  

polkseniorgames@verizon.net 

   Registration deadline is February 6, 2013

Atlantic South Regional Tournament Update

Hi Pickleball Players!

Just a reminder, registrations for the first Atlantic South Regional Pickleball Tournament closes Saturday,January 12th, 2013 for mail in entries and Monday, January 14th, 2013 for on-line registration.

For your convenience,  we have included links below for the Tournament Flyer which will have all the detailed information available for now and the Registration Forms.

We are happy to announce that the Quality Inn and Suites Golf Resort will be the Host Hotel for this years Regional Tournament. The hotel has Standard Rooms / Two Queen Beds, Junior Suites King Bed/ with Sleeper Sofa/Kitchen and Deluxe Suites/Full Bedroom with Kitchen and Living Room/ Sleeper Sofa/ Two Bathrooms. They have a full Continental Breakfast/ Restaurant, Heated Swimming Pool, Outside Tiki Bar, Golf Course that you can play at a discounted price, and Two Tennis Courts which will be lined off for Pickleball Warm-up and Play.

The Dinner/Social will also be held there which will begin at 6:30pm. Come early, Happy Hour runs from 3:00-7:00pm.  We will have a full cash bar set up with Bartender during the dinner. All are encouraged to come and enjoy, make sure to mark your form, only $6 per person if you are not a USAPA member.

Any hotel you choose from those listed on the link or listed on the info page have agreed to extend days before and after the tournament at the discounted prices. So come and spend a week in Naples, Florida during prime time at discounted prices. Enjoy the beach, activities, shopping, restaurants, and places to go and see! The average winter temperature in February is high 70's with lows in the 60's.

Hope you come and join us!
The Atlantic South Regional Tournament Team

CLICK HERE for FLYER

CLICK HERE for Registration Form

Pickleball in PEAR Park - Leesburg

Information and Photos submitted by: Ken and Lynn Corbett - Leesburg, FL

There is now a public park in Leesburg, FL, that offers pickleball.

PEAR Park is located about 4 miles north on Highway 27 from the Florida Turnpike Highway 27 North exit. The entrance to the park directly across from the highway from the entrance to the Legacy community. The park opened up 4 new pickleball courts in September and they are in the process of building 2 more. The asphalt is ready; they just need to put the fence up, paint and put the nets up. "We are playing at least three times a week."   Players from the surrounding communities of Highland Lakes, Royal Highlands,  Hawthorne, Water Oaks and Plantation frequently play there. A few players from Highland Lakes and Royal Highlands play regularly on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Last week Ken and Lynn Corbett of Highland Lakes sent out an e-mail for Black Friday play and got 16 players...... and another for the following Saturday and had 14 players.

 PEAR park has been added to the places to play page on the USAPA website, along with contact information for Ken and Lynn Corbett.

Start Up - Pickleball

On Sunday November 18th,  TampaBay area residents were introduced to pickleball for the first time at the Cheval Athletic Club in Lutz, FL.  Ambassador Larry Neely,  a resident and avid tennis player at Cheval,  hopes to add pickleball to the Club's athletic schedule, open to the public and to players of all ages.

Larry himself is new to the game - so wants to extend special thanks to fellow ambassadors, John Hilliard of New Port Richey, Lee Boerckel of Hudson, and veteran player Bob Cicetti of the Long Center in Clearwater  for  being there to help him out.

Twenty two people learned about pickleball, first with an orientation that talked about the game and introduced them to the paddles and balls.  Then they had an opportunity to take to the courts for instruction and play.   The club is working on scheduling times for open play - so we should see this listed on our places to play page pretty soon.  Larry also has a large supply of paddles and balls available for sale to interested players.

Next is to take his portable nets on the road to surrounding communities in New Tampa, (Tampa Palms), Heritage Springs (Trinity)  and to Tampa's MP Tennis and try to introduce a TampaBay Pickleball league.

 

Great Pumpkin Pickleball (Benefit) Tournament

Submitted by Ann Earley

The Great Pumpkin Tournament was held on November 17 and 18 on the courts of the North Georgia Pickleball Club in Canton, GA.

The Saturday Opening Ceremony was provided by the Teasley Middle School Jr. ROTC Air Raiders.  A short presentation by The Rifle team  was followed by  the presentation of the flag and a reenactment of the Imo Jimo Memorial. A $250 check was presented to their Commander Santiago Santana.  Pastor Ken Terrell sang the National Anthem and play began!

Anne Early (along with Atlantic South mascots, Bocce and Clyde) present the awards to the winners in front of their new North Georgia Pickleball Club Banner donated by Floyd Moody Graphics.


 Floyd Moody topped the Charlie Brown division and Pat Denman came out first  in the Lucy division.

Over $1500. was raised for the Cherokee county Humane Society.

Pictured is Ottis Moore with his rescue long-haired Dashund puppy accepting the checks from Tom Earley.  Ottis has been past President and Board member plus he orchestrates the weekly adoption at PetSmart.

Despite a cool beginning, the day was clear and spectacular!

Play continued on Sunday. Another cool day on the courts, but another very good pickleball day.

Top place in the Snoopy Division was Don Lucas, and joining him in first place from the Linus Division was John Pyle.

Also on the court last week was artist Katie Brown who honored Ann Early.  Pictured above she is presented with a painting of a heritage turkey (just like the ones she and Tom raised a couple of years ago) as a "thank you" for their work on the tournament.

Well deserved Tom and Ann!

All the pictures from the tournament have been added to the GA Photo Gallery.
CLICK HERE to view

Out with the Old - In with the New

North Georgia Pickleball Club gets new Club Banner!
Submitted by Ann Earley

Thanks to Floyd Moody (Moody Graphic Designs)  in Ball Ground, we "retired" our 5+ year old club sign in time for our "Great Pumpkin Pickleball Tournament" on November 17th and 18th. 

Seen with our new sign (bottom photo) is Tom Earley (left) and Floyd Moody on the ladder. The club logo was designed by Moody Graphic Designs. The old sign (top photo)will be used one last time at the entrance to the tournament.  By the sign is (left) Tom Earley and (right) Bill Hess. More than 60 players are expected for the two day tournament.  Over $1,200.00 was collected for entry fees and will be presented to the Cherokee County Humane Society.