“Battle of the Paddle” Tournament Results

This past Saturday, an enthusiastic group showed up to play in our latest tournament, the “Battle of the Paddle”.  Sheryl Ruth and Robyn Siebenthall organized the event, with the priceless help of Betty Olsen.  It was yet another fun and social occasion for the Pickleball Club!

The tournament was divided into 2 divisions, results are as follows:

A Division: Winners: Sherry Benz/Peggy Seidel, Runners-up: Joyce Kludt/Robyn Siebenthall, Consolation champions: Debbie and Danny Kirwan, Consolation runners up: Kathy Ashby/ Anna Hewitt

 

B Division: Winners: Glenn Seidel/Betty Olsen, Runners-up: Mike and Judy Falarski, Consolation champions: Bob Shuck/Fred Schmae, Consolation runners-up: Phil and Linda Frocht 

See all the photos

Using the Pickleball Paddle Waiting List…

Yes – Pickleball is getting more and more popular here at the Villages! When there are many players waiting on unreserved (or open play) courts, it’s only fair to have a method of making sure everyone gets their turn to play. The instructions below explain how to use the new paddle holder to keep track of “Who goes Next”. 

Thanks to our founding President Nancy Keane who originally proposed this idea that was being used in her “summer” state of Tennessee, and to Joe Spada for suggesting it again. 

An ENORMOUS thank you to Jim Valenti, who made the holder from my specs in a day, and then installed it for us! It’s wonderful having such talented folks as part of our group!

2019 Inter-Club Bocce and Pickleball Tournaments

We are delighted to announce that we will be having reciprocal tournaments between the Village Bocce Club and the Villages Pickleball Club, just as we did last year. It was fun in 2018 and this year should be even better.

The 1st tournament between the two clubs will be on Saturday, August 17th from 1:30-4:30 p.m. at the bocce courts. Refreshments will be provided. Players for the Bocce tournament can register on the club’s website, www.villagesbocceclub.com.

The free pickleball tournament will be on Sunday, August 25, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. This will be a very casual tournament, and you can play as many games as you want. Refreshments will be provided. If you want to play in that event, please register online at www.villagespickleball.org or sign up at the tennis shack.

If you’re new to bocce, you can attend the Bocce Bashes on Fridays at 3pm at the Bocce Courts. 

If you are a new or inexperienced pickleball player, you have several opportunities to learn the game from a Pickleball Club instructor:  Half-hour lessons are available to all Villagers every Wednesday and Friday at 1:00 on Courts 5 and 6. No registration is required.

Paddles and balls are provided at all pickleball sessions.  Please wear non-marking court shoes. Observers are welcome.

Signup for Pickleball Tournament

Signup for the Bocce Tournament

Pickleball Club gets Honorable Mention!

Pickleball was well represented at The Villages July 4th parade this year. The Pickleball Club had a decorated golf cart driven by Julie Walias, with Anahid Gregg as the Statue of Liberty, that received Honorable Mention by spectators. There was also an entry of Pickleball fans that included Mike Walias and Mark Gregg playing pickleball while walking the entire route!

Join Pickleball Ambassadors – July 2nd

USA Pickleball ambassadors to speak at SIR 114 luncheon

 

On Tuesday, July 2, Mike and Princess Leong will be speakers at the SIR 114 luncheon in the Fairway Room at the Clubhouse. They are a team of ambassadors for the USA Pickleball Association. They promote the sport of pickleball and help start new places to play.

In April of 2017, the couple ventured out to Canoas Park on Princess’ birthday to “just observe” a new sport that Mike had discovered called pickleball. They were warmly greeted by the players who were present and were invited in. A gentleman offered two of his paddles for Mike and Princess to try out. After 10 minutes of playing, they were hooked. Since then, they both have been playing regularly in the Bay Area and in venues around California. They have competed in several tournaments in California as well as in Utah and Arizona, winning their share of medals in singles and mixed doubles.

Guests are invited to attend and should come to the Clubhouse around 12:30 p.m. After this presentation the Leongs will give us a demonstration on tennis courts 5 and 6, so bring your court shoes and participate.

Pickle Up! Training in July

Pickle Up!

It is time for our second annual Pickle Up! It will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays, July 16 – August 1, 6-8PM on tennis courts #5 and #6.

Joe Spada is organizing this comprehensive six session introduction to pickleball. This is a fabulous opportunity to learn about pickleball, practice what you learn and meet people to play with.

Session 1 – July 16: Introduction, Equipment, Serve and volley drills
Session 2 – July 18: Rules of the game, Serve and volley drills
Session 3 – July 23: Strokes Part 1, Play games
Session 4 – July 25: Strokes Part 2, Play games
Session 5 – July 30: Basic strategies, Play games
Session 6 – Aug 1: Mental game, Court Etiquette, Court scheduling, Resources, Play!

This is a FREE event! Sign up to reserve your spot.

Palo Alto One Step Closer to Permanent Pickleball Courts

video:  https://abc7news.com/5277174/

By

PALO ALTO, Calif. (KGO) — No pickles are needed to play the game of Pickleball. The sport is considered the fastest growing, across the U.S. All it takes is a paddle, whiffle ball and a net.

 

“They do say it’s tennis, badminton and ping pong,” Monica Engel Williams said.  Williams is the Palo Alto Pickleball Club President. On Monday, she showed what it takes to prepare for a match at Mitchell Park.

Blue lines across a dual-use court currently dictate where makeshift pickleball courts begin, and where permanent tennis courts stand.

“Right now, we have nets that we have to take out of the bag, put the nets up, take them down, put them away,” Williams described.

She explained these are tasks that can be a tall order for some seniors, and simply extra work for others.  “In two years, we figured we had lifted seven-tons of nets, because they’re like 23 pounds each,” Williams said.

Pickleball enthusiasts in Palo Alto have spent about 2.5-years pushing for permanent courts at the park. Tennis players have pushed back.

However, the city’s Parks and Recreation Commission recently backed a plan- a compromise to accommodate all athletes.  Palo Alto’s Director of Community Services, Kristen O’Kane told ABC7 News, “We scaled it back.” She said initially, there was talk about turning the dual use court into permanent Pickleball courts.

“We’re just converting the one tennis court to pickleball, and then building two new courts,” O’Kane said. 

If approved by Palo Alto City Council, the one tennis court should fit four designated pickleball courts, equipped with permanent nets and all.
The hope is to help build a better Bay Area for a population dominating the game.

“It fosters a sense of community, especially for the senior population,” O’Kane explained. “Some of whom may not have interaction with anyone else during the day.”

The move for permanent courts would mean less time prepping, and more time playing pickleball.

Councilmembers are expected to decide May 20th. If approved, construction should begin in August, with completion in October.