Local Players Relishing Pickleball
thepilot.com,  December 28, 2012

Mager sees Pickleball establishing a firm footprint in the area for years to come.

 “Eventually, we would like to see all of the tennis courts at No. 6 converted to Pickleball courts,” he said. “Given the nature of the ­tennis facilities at the main club, and the lack of use at the tennis facility at No. 6, one day I see at least eight to 10 courts of Pickleball at Pinehurst.

 “I’d like to see expansion of some of the unused tennis facilities in the public venues. We would love to expand Pickleball to these areas.”

 If interest in the sport continues to grow at its steady pace, the surrounding communities may be “in a pickle” trying to find new ­locations to play.

CLICK HERE for full story

Pickleball picks up in popularity
yoursun.net, December 28, 2012, Punta Gorda, FL

Residents around Southwest Florida are crowding courts to play pickleball, which is sort of like tennis on a badminton-sized court. Area government park departments have started designating courts and hours for the fast-paced, tennis-like game that already has become an event at the Senior Games. “It’s really lots of fun,” Gillis said. “I hope more parks pick it up.” Lazy River Village in North Port may do just that. Residents there will be voting Jan. 17, 2013, at their annual meeting to consider converting one tennis court into three pickleball courts, and building a new tennis court, said Justine Mackie, community association manager at Lazy River.   CLICK HERE for full story.

HOLI-DAZE PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT

Submitted by Al Rosatti,
Ambassador, The Villages, Fl


The Holi-Daze Pickleball Tournament is now an annual event with the pickleball players at the Bacall Recreation Center in The Villages, FL.  Dressed in their festive attire the group poses for the camera!

Congratulations to the winning team of Nancy Rush and Bob Wilkinson....Well played matches by all.

Pinehurst players find 'instantaneous love' on the Pickleball court

FayObserver.com, Dec. 21, 2012, Fayetteville, NC

When they held the first games in April at Pinehurst Resort, two or three people showed up, Van Zanten said. A group of Pickleball players from Cary demonstrated the sport in June. Later in the summer, about 15 to 20 people were playing. Now about 35 are playing regularly, Van Zanten said. "In wintertime we thought it would slow down, but it hasn't," he said. Van Zanten said he expects as many as 50 people will be playing by May. The group already meets six times a week for games. "We were blown away by how fast this has taken hold," he said. "Everybody has a lot of fun."

Tanglewood Winter Classic Skills Tournament - Deadline Approaching

Hi Pickleball Players,
Just a quick reminder that the Tanglewood Winter Classic Skills Tournament entry deadline is fast approaching. Forms are due this week.

 If you don't have a registration form, there is a link here on the Atlantic South website or you may go to our website www.pickleballspecialties.com and download it from there.

Due to the schedule of the shirt shop, we need your registration ASAP in order to get the shirts ordered.

 Tanglewood has a section of their park called the Outback, which is for RV camping. The rate is $38 per night if you tell them you are with the tournament. The number to call to make reservations is 863-402-1500 and ask for Heather or Debbie. 

There is also a Holiday Inn Express across the street from Tanglewood. We are looking forward to the tournament and look forward to seeing you there.

We hope everyone has a safe and Happy Holiday season!

 Cindy and Nancy

2nd Annual Riverbend Classic Tournament

The 2nd Annual Riverbend Classic took place on December 8 and 9, 2013 at the Riverbend Motorcoach Resort in Labelle, Fl.  This year the tournament was a Tier 4 USAPA Sanctioned Skill Level event.  Tournament directors were Nancy Meyer and Cindy Eddleman, SW Florida Ambassadors from North Ft. Myers.

Cindy Eddleman reports the following:

The Riverbend Motorcoach Classic increased participation from 84 last year to 126 this year! 

The only "glitch" was rain on Saturday afternoon which meant playing more matches on Sunday. Besides the participants, we had many spectators and everyone made new friends and had fun. 

The Riverbend volunteers turned out in force and worked very hard to make the tournament a huge success. This year, the tournament was sanctioned, and we had referees at each match. Many thanks to all the folks who volunteered to referee matches and a big thank you to the Tanglewood referees who used this tournament as a warm-up for their sanctioned tournament in January. 

In spite of the rain on Saturday, we think that everyone had fun, made friends and definitely played some great Pickleball!!!

Click Here for the photo gallery.   Click Here for all the tournament results. 

Pickleball is coming to Temple Terrace starting January 14, 2013!
Posted on December 8, 2012, templeterrace.patch.com


The Temple Terrace Parks and Recreation Department is proud to roll out Pickleball starting January 14. What is Pickleball you ask? Pickleball is a cross between ping pong, tennis and badminton. Players use oversized ping pong paddles and a whiffle ball.
 Pickleball is exciting and one of the fastest growing recreational sports in Florida. The games will be played indoors in the gymnasium on a badminton-size court. The games will take place between 9am and 12pm on Monday and Wednesday in an open play fashion. We will have a group on hand to lead an orientation in the art of Pickleball play for all newcomers on January 14.

The games will take place at our Family Recreation Complex at 6610 Whiteway Dr. Temple Terrace, FL 33617. The fee is free to all members. Non-members can pay a $10 guest pass, or pay $25 for the month. Come see why Pickleball is becoming so popular.

 For more information, contact Scott Andrews at 813-506-6600, or sandrews@templeterrace.com.

Ribbon Cutting - New Courts in Salem, SC

The following appeared in The Journal, Upstate Today and was sent to us by Ambassador Dick Stone of Keowee Key,SC