ATLANTIC SOUTH PICKLEBALL
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
January 15, 2011
The Newsletter is distributed on the 15th of each month to all ASR Ambassadors. this newsletter is intended to 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.
Welcome New Ambassador:
Please join me in welcoming our first new Ambassador of 2011. Earl Cunningham hails from Gastonia, NC - not too far from Charlotte. He has led a pickleball league for the past three years at his own private court, aided the boys/girls club in Bessemer City by donating paddles and balls and has helped the area recreation director in establishing an indoor court at the gym. We are so fortunate to have such an active pickleball promoter as a member of our Atlantic South Ambassador Family.
Recognition Ceremony - Sun City Carolina Lakes, SC..
The outgoing officers of the Sun City Carolina Lakes (SCCL)
The history of the Club was read during the ceremony, but Ambassador Jane Harvey sums up the contributions of these three perfectly:........."stress what I feel are their greatest accomplishments from a USAPA perspective--under Paul's leadership, the Club has tried very hard to create a feeling of inclusiveness for all players. court courtesies have been stressed to 500+ Sun City Residents who have participated in the introductory sessions of Pickleball 101.
Paul, Bonnie and Mary Anne are all passionate about Pickleball and pass that love along to everyone who is willing to give it a try. The result, I think, is that we have a very large, active, social and enthusiastic Club here in Sun City, with over 400 registered players on line, and over 200 dues paying members.............who enjoy 4 fantastic parties a year..........get to participate in tournaments, and can take our popular Pickleball 102 clinics. CLICK HERE to READ THEIR STORY
Recently in the News........
Sweet Sport with Sour Name - The Atlantic South Region, and most specifically the pickleball players in The Villages, Fl are very proud of the segment that appeared on the CBS Early Show on December 17th. This is one of the very best segments that has aired on TV and one that promotes every aspect of our great sport. Read/Watch More
Pickleball Demonstrations, Workshops and Skills Clinics - On December 22nd, Tennis Pro Shop Manager, Andy Golden invited players and anyone else interested to come inside out of the cold! At the Carl E Sanders Family YMCA in Atlanta, GA. he transformed the indoor basketball courts into pickleball courts for an introductory pickleball demonstration and open play.
In Florida, Ambassador Rich Donald worked with seasoned players to sharpen their skills, providing workshops and technique training to the Sun City Center Pickleball Club on December 16th, and players at the Thousand Trails RV Park in Wauchula, Fl. in January.
Toys for Tots Pickleball Tournament- An Open Tournament for all levels of players was held at the El Santiago Recreation Center in The Villages, Fl., from December 13th - 17th. Instead of an entry fee, players were asked to donate a toy. A special thank you goes out to Jean Kiker and Tom Nonnemacher for organizing and directing this special tournament that gave back to the community. 74 toys were donated by the pickleball players to the Philip DeLong Marine Corp League Chapter 1267 Toys-for Tots campaign. Congratulations to the winners too!!
Men's Doubles: Champions -- Barry Gee & Jeff Christman.
Women's Doubles: Champions -- Deb Harrison & Nancy Nowak.
Mixed Doubles: Champions -- Don Piper & Lydia Fenster.
New Years Eve Pickleball Round Robin- Pickleball Players at the Thousand Trails RV Park in Wauchula, Fl ended the year pickleball style with a round robin competition. Players from nearby Torrey Oaks RV Resort joined in the fun. Eleven ladies and seventeen men arrived at 9:00 am to warm up. Players from age 15 to 70+ participated in a men's and ladies doubles competition. Youngsters Chris and Danny (pictured) showed their pickleball skills in some pretty competitive matches. The players regrouped at 8:00pm for pot luck, hot dogs over the open fire, dancing to the music of DJ Bobby Mack and a fun filled evening to welcome in a new pickleball year. CLICK HERE for Pictures and Story.
Upcoming Tournaments/Events....
For more information and registration links go to our Atlantic South Website: www.south.usapa.org
- Geezer Meister Tournament - Summerfield, Fl January 12-15, 2011 USAPA Sanctioned (Tier4)
- Intermediate Tournament, Benefit Childhood Cancer Program, The Villages, Fl. January 17-20, 2011
- Beginner Tournament, Fish Hook-The Villages, Fl. January 20, 2011
- Pickleball for Paws - Benefit Tournament, Wauchula, Fl.,January 25, 2011.
- Kings Point Winter In Paradise Pickleball Wing Ding, Sun City Center, January 29, 2011
- Benefit Senior Pickleball Tournament, Jacksonville, NC, February 4-5, 2011
- Cypress Cove Annual Pickleball Tournament, Kissimmee, Fl, Feb. 5, 2011
- Collier County Senior Games, Naples, Fl February 12-13, 2011
- Collier County OPEN (ages 35-49)Tournament, Naples, Fl, February, 12-13, 2011
- Lee County Senior Games, Ft.Myers, Fl., February 26-27, 2011
- Spruce Creek Senior Games, Del Webb, Spruce Creek, Summerfield, Fl. March 1-4, 2011
- Polk County Senior Games, Poinciana, Fl., March 8-9, 2011
- Heartland Senior Games, Sebring, Fl, March 11-12, 2011
- Charlotte County Senior Games, Punta Gorda, Fl., March 19-20, 2011
- Peace River OPEN (ages 35-49), Punta Gorda, Fl, March 19-20
- Good Life Games, Seminole, Fl., March 21-22, 2011.
- First Annual PB Tournament, March 26-27, Key West Florida
- Annual Mid South Regional Pickleball Tournament, April 8-10, Mandeville, LA
Do you have a tournament/round robin or social event that should be listed here?
International Pickleball
From North Carolina to the UK - From Florida to New Zealand
Mike and Nancy Falkenstein, Ambassadors-Franklin, NC: These two met up with a chap from the UK , a newcomer to Franklin, NC while out hiking with their hiking club. Learning that Mike was a badminton player they were sure they could interest him in a game of pickleball. As you've guessed by now - he did come out to learn the game, played for more than two hours and he loved it!! No surprise.........He returned to the UK for the Christmas Holidays and Mike and Nancy sent along some pickleball joy! They e-mailed him more pickleball information including a link to the recent CBS Pickleball Segment. Mike has since shared the segment with individuals and the local TV station in his area. Sounds like we'll get some new places to play in the UK .
Meanwhile down in Florida, Ambassadors Rich and Donna Donald introduced a couple from New Zealand to our great game. The couple has been touring the US for almost two years and will be returning to New Zealand, with pickleball paddles in March.
If you have any news/information from your area that you want to share with our readers please send it to Donna Donald at: rddonald2@gmail.com
