Pickleball Booms in Southwest Florida

Published February 2, 2018 - www.coastalbreezenews.com

The Southern Tropics Tournament Series kicked off in December with the Florida State Pickleball Championships. The Winter Classic represents the second leg of the series.

Five hundred ninety-two pickleball players competed in the East Naples Winter Classic held January 26th-28th at East Naples Community Park. Players of all ages and skill levels ranging from 3.0-5.0 participated. The organized event, well-staffed with volunteers, ran smoothly and on time as all 44 pickleball courts were busy with action. Although the blustery days proved to be a bit of a challenge, the players persevered…and those who persevered the most came away with a medal.

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70-year-old St. Pete pickleballer overcomes adversity

Published January 24, 2018 - www.tbnweekly.com

ST. PETERSBURG – Speaking to Dean Refakes for the first time is like talking to an old friend.

The 70-year-old part-time St. Pete resident and Chicago native has the relaxed and upbeat demeanor of a favorite golfing buddy or dinner companion, as he happily recalls tales of his athletic exploits and his medical setbacks, both of which there are many. Refakes, known as “Clean Dean,” also intersperses his conversations with comments about his love of life and especially for his three daughters, whom he raised following a divorce and calls “the apples of his eye.”

That positive attitude has helped Dean overcome a litany of physical setbacks, from broken bones to balky knees and hips, to become a high-level baseball, basketball, tennis and now pickleball player, as well as a symbol for perseverance and determination for people of all ages.

“I’ve had a very nice life, and I try to enjoy it,” Refakes said shortly after winning a gold medal in pickleball at the 2017 Florida Senior Games in Clearwater in December. “My daughters are healthy, they graduated from college, and I’ve never had a problem with them. I’ve been blessed.”

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Cape Coral elite pickleball player keeps winning, promotes sport

Published December 28, 2017 - www.news-press.com

Mike Welter would be well qualified to give an annual report on the state of pickleball in Lee County and even expand on his personal accomplishments in 2017.

The 65-year-old Cape Coral elite pickleball tournament player is relentless in promoting the popular sport while collecting his own championship trophies.

It was a good year for me, maybe my best ever, and I hate to see it end, Welter said. I like to play so I keep busy.

As long as my body holds up, I'll be fine. I retired from the Marines 17 years ago and I still feel the same today physically. My uniform still fits.

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Pickleball Is On The RISE!

Published December 27, 2017 - www.hiltonhead.com

During the first week of November, the Palmetto Dunes Pickleball Center hosted the only pickleball program offered by the Road Scholar program. The Road Scholar program is an internationally recognized and acclaimed not-for-profit organization (formerly known as Elderhostel) whose mission is to open minds to new ideas, people and cultures and to engage people for whom learning is a journey of a lifetime.

The Palmetto Dunes Pickleball Center provided more than 18 hours of on-court instruction and playtime to 21 participants, most of whom were newcomers to the game of pickleball. A team of four instructors broke down the game to explain the goals and objectives of each shot and how to structure points to put you and your team in the best competitive position. The primary goal was to engage people at their level and to inspire them to become better pickleball players.

 

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Coweta County Pickleball players gather for first Jingle Tournament

Published December 27, 2017 - www.times-herald.com

The Coweta Pickleball Club held its first “tournament” on Sunday Dec. 17. However it wasn’t actually a tournament.

It was a “Jingle.”    

You may be asking, “What is a Jingle?”

It was the idea of Billy Perkins, newly appointed United States Pickleball Association (USAPA) ambassador for Coweta County and Jill McKnight, president of the Coweta County Pickleball Club.

They wanted to get all the players from the different parts of the county who play at various venues together for organized play and a social.

Perkins explained that, unlike a tournament, there would be no losers and, unlike a social, there would be exercise and perspiration.

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Pickleball tournament benefits people who suffer from Parkinson's Disease

Published December 18, 2017 - www.rocketcitynow.com

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - There was a lot of fun and excitement happening Monday in the Rocket City.

The annual Pickleball Tournament took place at Fern Ball Rec Center in South Huntsville.

The event is in its second year and gives people, who love the sport, a chance to help raise money for people suffering from Parkinson's Disease.

"It just amazes that people are willing to do this and not only enjoy their sport which is Pickleball, but to benefit those of us with Parkinson's in the community," said Jim Rhodes, co-founder of Rock Steady Boxing.

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City dedicates pickleball courts at event center

Published October 26, 2017 - www.goldsboro.com

New pickleball courts are now open and available for use by the public at the Goldsboro (NC) Event Center.

A recent dedication of the courts drew city leaders, pickleball players and a representative from the Mount Olive Pickle Co., which donated $10,000 to the cost of improving the tennis courts for pickleball games, said Kaye Scott, Goldsboro finance director.

The courts can be used for tennis or pickleball, said Theresa Merritt, a member of the Goldsboro Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. The Goldsboro Event Center is located at 1501 S. Slocumb St.

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Pickleballers earn medals

Published October 16, 2017 - www.claycountyprogress.com

Players from more than a dozen states traveled to Hiawassee for the Georgia Mountain Pickleball Fall Classic held Friday-Sunday, Oct. 6-8.

The mountain counties of North Carolina and Georgia were well represented in the event that drew almost 350 players from across the nation.

Players competed in women's doubles, men's singles and mixed doubles during the first two days of the event.