ASR AMBASSADORS MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
November 15, 2010
The Atlantic South Region (ASR%) E-Newsletter is distributed on the 15th of each month to all ASR Ambassadors. this newsletter is intended t keep all of you apprised of what is happening in your Region, and to consolidate our news into a once/monthly communication. Please forward this information to all USAPA members, all pickleball players/clubs in your regions and post to your local pickleball Blogs or Websites.
…… ATLANTIC SOUTH WELCOMES TWO NEW AMBASSADORS.........
Lawrence Judd, Winter Haven, FL. Larry was introduced to pickleball at Lake Ashton, and active adult community in Winter Haven, back in October 2009. He has acted as the facilitator of the game since then, providing group lessons for new players. During the summer months Larry enjoys the game in Long Island, NY. He hopes to be able to introduce pickleball to the Board of Huntington to promote town-wide recreational programs at the adult and child summer programs, and to get a pickleball league added to the adult recreational programs run by the local school districts. "Here at Lake Ashton in Winter Haven we presented before our CDD Board the need for dedicated pickleball courts. Recommendation seemed well received and we are going ahead with developing ideas for fundraising to support the costs. Any resources you may know of for effective fundraisers would be appreciated. ....... "Like many developments in Florida, the number of vacant homes and unsold plots is tremendous and this developer needs to do something to attract people. We will never be The Villages size but want to be known as a mini-Mecca for pickleball."
Donald Wheeler, Hilton Head Island, SC. Donald and his wife learned to play pickleball about two years ago from Indian Land, SC Ambassador, Jane Harvey. Over the past summer the three of them have been busy playing several times a week, but also recruiting and teaching new players the game. Hilton Head Island is the second largest barrier island on the East Coast, with a population of only 35-40,00, but it attracts 2 million visitors a year. That along with the numerous hard surface tennis court, open to the public, it is a perfect location to recruit new plays, build a strong pickleball community and perhaps showcase our great sport one day soon. He has already acquired permission to chalk pickleball lines on the courts at the south end of the island, and has requested permission to do the same at the northern end. "I feel that offering free lessons with free use of equipment (we have enough for 8 people) as well as free court time, a consistent play time, both in the morning and evening on different days to accommodate the working and retired populous, would generate interest in the sport on HHI."
… ANNUAL REGIONAL UPDATE.....
In November of 2009 we submitted our strategic plans for reaching our 2010 goals for the promotion and growth of pickleball and memberships in the Atlantic South Region. Several of our Ambassadors documented their objectives and submitted written mini plans for their specific areas to support our Regional Plan. In May of this year we recapped our mid year progress. Here's a recap of yearly results.
Ambassador Program
We are so fortunate to have such an energetic and goal oriented group of Leaders who continue to promote the growth of our game and USAPA membership. We currently have 41 Local Ambassadors representing our Region. AL-3, FL-25, GA-1, NC-9, SC-11. Since November 1, 2009 we have welcomed 18 new Ambassadors to our Ambassador Family. 6 in Florida (Bonita Springs, Sebring, Venice Sarasota, Winter Haven, Palm Beach County), 6 in North Carolina (Jacksonville, Winston-Salem, Robbinsville, Franklin, Marion County) and 8 in South Carolina (Conway, Myrtle Beach and N. Myrtle Beach, Aiken, Pendleton, Chester and Indian Lake). Additionally we welcomed two Ambassadors At Large who were assigned to our Atlantic South Region.
Places to Play (PTP)
We experienced growth in every single State in our Region and surpassed our goal for the year. Our objective was to experience a 38% gain in the number of places to play across the Region.
South Carolina - 275% growth - 11 new locations
Alabama- 150% growth - 3 new locations
Florida - 81% growth - 30 new locations
Georgia 100% growth - 3 new locations
North Carolina - 67.5% growth - 5 new locations
The Atlantic South Region increased the number of places to play from 54 to 106 since November 1st, 2009 (96.3%)
USAPA Membership
We did not achieve our year end goal to reach a total Regional membership of 350. Each State with the exception of Florida experienced excellent growth. Florida recruited the highest number of new members, but the exceptional number on non-renewed memberships resulted in an overall loss. The numbers for SC, NC and GA are outstanding! The State of South Carolina was #1, not just in our region, but countrywide for the largest member percentage gain. Congratulations!!!
SC - 44 new memberships - 860% growth
NC - 20 new memberships, 160% growth
GA - 27 new memberships, 66.6% growth
AL - 1 new memberships, 33.3% growth
FL - 45 new memberships, -32.7% net loss
The Atlantic South Region welcomed 137 new members but with an increasing number of memberships not renewed, we experienced an overall decrease in Regional membership of 5.8%. Regional Membership as of Oct. 31, 2010 was 324.
The Atlantic South Region had a phenomenal year! You can read all about that success and the people who made it happen. Click Here for the complete 2010 Annual Report.
.......Recently In The News......
Beaufort Jasper Senior Games - What a pickleball success! What a great turnout for these Senior Games. Mixed doubles were played On Monday Nov. 1st at the New River Sports Park; the doubles competition on Tuesday and Wednesday, at the Havens at New Riverside. Ambassador Joe Huber was the Pickleball Event Leader and says that registration was up quit a bit from last year. Per event: 74 in Mixed Doubles, 40 in Men's Doubles and 48 in Woman's Doubles for a total of 162. (Some of whom played in both the doubles and mixed competitions.) Pickleball from this event was also featured in about a 45 second segment on the Savannah Fox Local News.
First Annual Northern Neck Tournament - Ambassadors at Large - Ron and Connie Monson directed the first ever pickleball tournament in Topping Va., on October 7th. There were twenty two participants in the tournament, which featured women's doubles, men's doubles and mixed doubles brackets. Our oldest participant was Jinks Holton, the wife of ex-governor of Virginia, Linwood Holton, age 85. The competition was stiff and everyone had a great day of fun. Each player paid $10 to participate and received a great pickleball T-Shirt. The Northern Neck YMCA has been very supportive of pickleball. Connie tells us: The local newspaper did a terrific editorial about Pickleball, which has brought in several new players. The YMCA has purchased 3 court set ups and is purchasing a 4th. We have been advised that the YMCA intends to build 2 outdoor courts as soon as the funds become available. We look forward to having Ron and Connie back in Florida after the holidays.
Thanks to the generous invitation from Page Sutton, Ambassador-Williamsburg, Va several of our Atlantic South players travelled to participate in their first ever tournament!. Congratulations to Florida winners Dave and Debbie Christian, who winter at Thousand Trails/Orlando and Deer Creek in Davenport, Fl, and to Kings Point, Sun City Center player, Gary Ball. And congrats to directors Page Sutton and Jerry Dickerson on a great event.
North Georgia Pickleball Club has certainly caught the attention of the media. A recent note from Trevor Keller, Producer/Editor, PBA30 (Public Broadcasting Atlanta) "I believe you’ve heard about us through Tom and Ann Earley with the North Georgia Pickleball Club… we were out shooting a segment about their club several months ago. I just wanted to let you know that our next episode of “This is Atlanta” featuring that segment will air on PBA 30 (WPBA-TV) in Atlanta on Wed. October 27th at 10 pm, in HD. The episode will also re-air several times in November !"
On November 7th they were in the news again - this time, featured in article by Michelle Hiskey, ESPN Page 2 (espn.go.com), titled:
Pickleball isn't what you Think - really , GREAT JOB!!
USAPA National Tournament - A special thank you to those players who represented the Atlantic South Region at the USAPA National Tournament in Buckeye, AZ, and a big CONGRATS to the winners:
Phil Bagley, The Villages, Fl - Silver Medal/Adult Men's Doubles 35+
Steven Dunn, Cartersville, GA
Paul Colleta, Flat Rock, NC - Silver Medal/Young Adult Men's Doubles
Cindy Eddleman, Ft. Myers, Fl
Lydia Fenster, The Villages, Fl - Bronze Medal/Open Mixed Doubles, Gold Medal/Ladies Singles 50+, Gold Medal/Senior Mixed Doubles 50+
Rick Laskey, Jacksonville, NC
Nancy Meyer, Ft. Myers, Fl
Dick Movsessian, The Villages, Fl - Silver Medal/ Adult Men's Doubles 35+
Laura Patterson, Winston/Salem, NC
Jeff Shank, The Villages, Fl - Bronze Medal/ Senior Men's 55+, Gold Medal/Senior Mixed 50+
.....Upcoming Tournaments/Events....
Watch for more information on these events on our website. Click on Tournament/Event for more information (where available
Rally Tally Jamboree, Kings Point, Sun City Center, FL, November 13, 2010
Scott Green Tournament, Plantation of Leesburg, Fl (Members Only) November 19 & 20, 2010
In House Pickleball Tournament, (Members Only), Seminole Recreation Center, November 29, 2010
Pickled Pilgrim Playoff, Canton, GA, November 20-21, 2010
Florida Senior Games State Championships, Lee County, Fl, December 4th and 5th, 2010
Geezer Meister Tournament- Summerfield, Fl - January 12-15,2011 USAPA Sanctioned (Tier 4)
Benefit Hardee County Animal Rescue (HART), Wauchula, Fl - Date TBD (Jan/Feb-2011)
Benefit Senior Pickleball Tournament, Jacksonville, NC February 4-5, 2011
Collier County Senior Games, Naples, Fl, February, 12-13, 2011
Lee County Senior Games, Ft. Myers, Fl, February 26-27, 2011
Polk County Senior Games, Poinciana, Fl, March 8-9, 2011
Charlotte County Senior Games, Punta Gorda, FL, March 19-20, 2011
Good Life Games, Seminole, Fl. March 21-22, 2010
Do you have a tournament/round robin or social event that should be listed here?
.....More Pickleball News Across the Region....
Florida
Garf Cooper, Beginner Program Chairman, Pickleball Advisory Committee, The Villages: CBS recently filmed a pickleball segment for the CBS Morning Show at The Villages, Fl. The CBS Morning Show is broadcast countrywide - so this will be some serious publicity for our great game. We don't know yet exactly when the segment will air - but we will keep you posted. A note from Garf following the filming:
"I don't have any update reference the CBS Early morning show report. However, I can tell you that the crew was very pleased with the support and enthusiasm for Pickleball. I expect a very positive story line to emerge. We filmed open play at Sea Breeze with 24+ players during open play and 24 new Resident Students for the PB 101 course then traveled via Golf Cart to Lake Miona for more open play and a CBS - Villages challenge match. There were 16 players a Miona. After the crew completed their planned shoot with the "Pickleball-cam" they took the opportunity to play several games of Pickleball which I thought was a tribute to the Pickleball fun-factor and our tenacious Villages Pickleball Players. They would not let the CBS crew sit down. "
Jim Claycomb, Summerfield, FL, The 2011 USAPA (Tier 4) Sanctioned Geezer Meister Tournament is scheduled for January 12-15, 2011. Jim tells us that they have already started receiving entry forms for this event, but asks us to remind everyone that REGISTRATION IS OPEN! There are also a couple ambassador housing opportunities for a few players who maybe wouldn't be able to come otherwise. Communication to that affect was mailed to several of you recently. Ambassador Rick Skaare will be beginning some 'referee' training soon. Please share this information with the pickleball leagues, clubs in your area.
Bruce and Gena Whitehead, Venice/Sarasota, Fl These two were RV'ing out of state this summer and spent most of their time in TN. Before heading back to Florida this month, Bruce tells us that : Gena and I attended a meeting with Wayne Matthews, the Crossville Ambassador. The purpose of the meeting was to get Pickle ball going at the City-run youth center with making up some budget cuts by offering indoor pickleball to several different communities and all age groups in the area. Wayne and I made a presentation and then the three of us and a friend did a demonstration game. What was supposed to be a quick meeting ended up much longer as they all had to get on the court and try the game. It was real effective, though, and the board was very impressed and energized. They have enough room for 4 indoor courts, so I hope Wayne can keep the interest up. Maybe when we return in May, we'll have a new venue to play. He and Gena are now ready for the winter competition here in Florida - starting it off next week at the Rally Tally Tournament at Kings Point, and then on to the various Senior Games. Later in the winter clinics are being planned in the Venice/Englewood area.
Coleen Blakely, Ambassador, Conch Republic, Fl Here is the latest from Key West: We were given permission from Monroe County to paint pickleball lines on two of the existing tennis courts at Higgs Beach Park. We spent the first part of Sunday morning measuring, taping and painting the lines. It was exciting playing pickleball for the first time on our newly painted courts. Stay tuned for information on our first pickleball tournament to be held sometime in March or April of next year. In the meantime, please come join us every Sunday morning from 8:30 until whenever we stop. Come "Get Pickled in Key West".
Bob Taylor, Ambassador, Anna Maria Island, Fl Bob reports that pickleball at the Anna Maria Island Community Center (AMICC) continues to grow and that their group has recently introduced pickleball in nearby Bradenton, Fl. At AMICC, PB club members are contributing $10 each to pay for the cost of three new USAPA portable nets and to help defray ongoing cleaning and re-taping costs. Members play six days/week and with sometimes 35 players arriving to enjoy the game, it was necessary to re-tape the gym floor to increase the number of courts from two to three
A fourth portable net was purchased through the USAPA Grant program to introduce pickleball at "Peter & Paul" church on 75th St. in Bradenton Florida. Avid AMICC PB Club member, Beppie Bongers, is a member of the church and after almost a year, was successful in getting the church officials to try pickleball. "These two demonstrations went extremely well. Church officials were very pleased with the overall response and have authorized the taping of the gym's two double badminton courts, and play twice a week for three hours. The church is also purchasing a second USAPA portable net so that two courts will be available for players.
Rich and Donna Donald, Ambassadors, New Tampa, Fl
We have been working with the manager of the Peace River RV Park to manage the pickleball activity during the winter season. She is working to get us a large board to locate near the courts where we can advertise, beginner and skills clinics, open, beginner and challenge play schedules and tournament and round robin activities, and has already purchased prize ribbons. We are coordinating with Stan and Sally Michalski, who manage pickleball at nearby Torrey Oaks RV Resort to schedule alternating fun and competitive events twice monthly. We are all working jointly to schedule a benefit tournament for the local animal rescue team after the first of the year.
Rich has been contacted by Mike Perkins of the Sun City Pickleball Club to hold a skills clinic on December 13th.
Don Meader of the Forest Lake Estates in Zephyr Hills recently contacted us. Forest Lakes is a very active over 55 community where there is already a lot of tennis, golf, horseshoes etc, and they are in the market for a new sport! They've heard about pickleball, but never seen the game played. A few if the community residents saw that pickleball was a popular sport when they were visiting at The Villages. Our group at Meadow Pointe, in Wesley Chapel has invited Don and a few of their potential players to our courts to watch the game, grab a paddle and participate in a training session and like most of us, immediately get hooked on the game. The latest update: A group from Meadow Pointe will travel to Forest Lakes for a "ground-breaking" ceremony to demonstrate the game, introduce new players and share in a cookout! In the meantime Don is looking for anyone who may have some "used pickleball paddles" that they might use for training until players purchase their own. If you have suggestions or know of someone - please let us know.
North Carolina
Laura Patterson, Ambassador, Winston-Salem, NC
On Friday, October 22, 2010 the seniors at the Culter Senior Center in High Point, NC were introduced to pickleball and life and/or fitness will never be the same at Culter Senior Center! I had a couple of the women from my softball team there and they rounded up about 12 people for the Demo (mostly ping pong or table tennis players). The center does not have a gym so we had to set up in a multi-purpose room. I made the court 36 by 20 due to the size of the room and made the NVZ 5 feet instead of 7 feet....just wanted to give them an idea of what the game was going to be like. Fun was had by everyone and by the end of the session the seniors were asking when was I coming back.
John Simpson, Ambassador-Charlotte, NC
About this time last month John received an e-mail from Chad White, program director at the YMCA Camp Thunderbird. This camp is located just outside of Charlotte, NC on the banks of Lake Wylie, SC. It has the traditional summer camp program and other activities during their off-season. Been around a long time and serves a large number of children.
He read of pickleball in a magazine for summer camps ...........Meeting was a week ago today and went very well..........enthusiastic about adding pickleball and enjoyed playing the game too. We discussed costs (or lack thereof) to get started and they are able to use tennis courts with no problem. I emphasized the fact that a younger camper would easily be able to play with an older one because size and power are not as important as in tennis. Chad also said he was sure the counselors would love to play too. We agreed to return and do a clinic for the staff, if they so chose. Delivered one of the USAPA dvds for them to watch and offered whatever assistance they might need to get started. My update/plan is:
1. work with Chad White, program director, and the staff of Camp Thunderbird to add pickleball to their roster of activities next summer. This may involve some demonstrations with staff and any planning assistance as needed. My mixed doubles partner and chief consul, Dorothy Williams, has helped with this too.
2. support growth of pickleball in Piedmont area of North and South Carolina through continued consults with people interested in "growing" the sport in their area.
This past weekend, a family of four came over to try and may put in a court in their yard. They live in Salisbury, NC, which is 45 miles northeast of Charlotte. The father and his brother have been 4.5-5.0 tennis players and orthopedic problems have helped them see the advantages of pickleball. One of them has two sons, (10,13) who want to add pickleball to their school's roster of activities. As you might guess, they LOVE playing because the predictable differences in age, size, power are not as important.
With comparatively few resources in Charlotte, building pickleball availability is based on building interest first. We are quickly doing that.
South Carolina
Jane Harvey, Ambassador Indian Land, SC
If not already, Jane should very soon be back at home in Sun City Carolina Lakes, SC. Before leaving NY state, she and her husband, Fred both participated in the Rochester first ever sanctioned tournament and brought home the silver medal in their age group!! They stayed very busy in NY this summer. "We also helped paint official lines on two public tennis courts; Taught 3 sessions of Pickleball 101; Mentored new players at the local Rec. Center; and I was invited by the local Y to teach there. I also networked with a local racquet sports store to promote the USAPA--it's the only place locally to buy racquets and balls."
When she arrives back in SC......... I'm new to the area, so I have to do some scouting to see what kinds of organizations there are that might be interested in having a pickleball program. I'd really like to teach some young people. We have a huge club in Sun City, and I'm confident there are folks who would be willing to help teach the game in new venues. Also, to help with continuity, since I'm not there year 'round, I hope to recruit a co-ambassador.
If you have ANY news/information from your area that you want included in our monthly newsletter or a story for our readers on our Website, please send it to Donna Donald at rddonald2@gmail.com
