ATLANTIC SOUTH PICKLEBALL
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
November 15, 2011
This 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 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 Ambassadors:
Michael K Walsh - joins our Ambassador Family representing Cary, NC. Michael spent 33 years with General Motors and retired as a senior executive with most of his career in Sales. He has introduced pickleball to the Town of Cary and has initiated a senior program. The program began in October of 2010 with just four members and has grown to more than twenty-five. They play pickleball indoors two days/week.
Betty Lavigne has been appointed as our newest Florida Ambassador, representing Leesburg. Betty is new to the game of pickleball but loves the game and looks forward to sharing with potential players in her area, most specifically her home community of Spanish Village. As a retired Canadian military where her job was working with people and organizing events, she has the skills necessary to liaise with players from surrounding Leesburg communities. Working with nearby Pear Park in Leesburg, she has already secured a place to play and the folks at nearby Plantation in Leesburg are helping her to introduce the game to new players.
Make Pickleball the Best Experience Possible at your Gym or Recreation Center:
This is part of an e-mail received from Ambassadors,Mike and 
Loretta Beckner a couple of month's ago....
" I am meeting with Jessica Campbell, the Recreation Program Director at Odell Weeks tomorrow to discuss sending out a survey to all of those on her (pickleball) e-mail list to determine what we can do to make playing pickleball the best experience possible.........."
Loretta Beckner a couple of month's ago...." I am meeting with Jessica Campbell, the Recreation Program Director at Odell Weeks tomorrow to discuss sending out a survey to all of those on her (pickleball) e-mail list to determine what we can do to make playing pickleball the best experience possible.........."
Many of us have helped to introduce pickleball at a new location and then experienced things like a decreasing number of players, increased need for training, conflicting schedules, lack of interest, broad range of skill levels sharing the same courts/time and so on. Mike and Loretta worked with their Recreation Program Director to come up with a survey that would help them determine what steps to take to keep people excited about playing. Knowing that many of us struggle with these same issues, we have posted a link to their survey and the steps that were taken as a result of the players' feedback. CLICK HERE
Two "Firsts" for South Florida:
Submitted by
Nancy Meyer, Ft. Myers,FL
South Florida is introducing the very "First" Skill Level Tournament to be played in the Atlantic South Region. The 1st Annual Riverbend Resort Classic will be played on December 10th and 11th at the Riverbend Motorcoach Resort located at 5800 State Road #80 (SR-80) Labelle, Florida 33935.
They also have the "First" Built outdoor Pickleball courts with construction being finished the middle of November. The courts will be blue with green surrounding surface, landscaped and will have plenty of bleacher seating.
Rental sites are available for players with a Class A Motorcoach, and some Park Model Units are also available to rent at the resort by calling 1-866-787-4837. Other campgrounds and area hotels are nearby. Please see the entry forms for further details.
The Pickleball Club of Riverbend headed up by President Jerry Ray and Vice President Don Grimes, along with others from the community have worked hard to make this all happen. They started on an unused parking lot, and grew to building their own courts!
They will be serving an “all you can eat Breakfast Buffet” on Saturday Morning, and coffee and donuts on Sunday Morning.
This is a Double Elimination Tournament. Men’s and Women’s Doubles will be played on Saturday December 10, and Mixed Doubles on Sunday the 11th, 2011. This is a skill level tournament, which means you will only be playing against players with the same skill level as yours. If you do not already have a rating - you will need to "self rate".
If you have questions or need help with self-rating - more information is provided on the entry forms, which can be found on the sites listed below.
Deadline for registration is December 4, 2011. Entry forms can be down loaded from http://www.pickleballspecialties.com/ the http://www.usapa.org/ website or our Atlantic South Website: http://www.south.usapa.org/
Please call Nancy Meyer or Cindy Eddleman if you have any questions or need additional information:
419-320-3655 or 954-309-5882
Hope you come and join us!!
Recently in the Atlantic South News:
"The games went GREAT!! I got there a little before 7:30 and there were a ton of people already there. The folks at the sign in desk did a fantastic job. Because some of the folks were all there and signed in they began some games early, at about 8:15-8:20. Breakfast and lunch was provided and the Sun City Center maintenance did just a super job putting up shade coverings all around the courts. They even rolled up some of the wind screens so folks could easily see the games this year. and tables were even set up for folks to eat lunch under shade also. CLICK HERE ..for complete story and more photos.
Jacksonville Senior Games - The Forever Fit, 50 and Beyond Senior Games were held on October 7th at the Cecil Gym and Fitness Center in Jacksonville, Fl. The turnout is still a little small , but still BIG on fun as pickleball continues to expand in this area. CLICK HERE to see the tournament medal winners!
Halloween Pickleball Tournament - The Solivita Smashers
Halloween Benefit Tournament, Canton GA - The Ghosts, the Goblins and the Vampires all convened at the North Georgia Pickleball Club's courts on October 29 and 30 for two fun-filled days of pickleball.
Players arrived from GA, TN, AL, MI and AZ to compete. "There was a presentation of $500.00 from the tournament players and the North Georgia Pickleball Club to Ottis Moore of the Cherokee County Humane Society. Another contribution was made to the Air Warriors Jr. ROTC of Teasley Middle School. The Air Warriors gave a rifle prese
ntation and led the grand Opening Ceremony with their flag corp. Tenor, Ken Terrell sang the National Anthem and the games began."
You'll have to CLICK HERE to find out if it was the ghosts or goblins that took home the prize, the Vampire (4.0-4.5 rated) winners, who took home the "yodeling pickle" award and the "Good Sport" award. Even Bocce , our ASR pickleball mascot was on site and very much a part of the game. I think he was a "line" judge!!
Beaufort-Jasper Active Adult Challenge (BJAAC) Everyone appeared to have a great time again this year at the BJAAC games. 158 players arrived to take part in this SC Senior Games event on October 31st and November 1st. The Mixed doubles competition was played at the New Rivers Sports Park, Sun City, and the Doubles competition at The Haven at Riverside. Special thanks to Bob Greuser and Ked Varble for coordinating the BJACC pickleball tournament and to our club members who volunteered their time to officiate the matches and score keep. Sherry Jackson took photos at the games and celebration ceremony and they are available on the Sun City Hilton Head Pickleball Club's website. CLICK HERE for photos. Medal Winners will be posted on the USAPA Website.
Upcoming Tournaments/Events:
Visit our ASR website for links to additional/registration information.
- Pickleball Drop-In and Beginner Training now through December 20. 2011, Greensboro Sportsplex, Greensboro, NC
- Advanced Round Robin Pickleball Tournament, (The Villages residents only) Nov. 15-18, 2011, The Villages, FL
- Scott Green Tournament, Plantation Pickleball Association Players only, November 16,17, 2012, Leesburg, Fl
- Florida Senior Games State Championships and International Pickleball Games, December 3-4, 2011, Lakeland, Fl.
- First Annual Riverbend Resort Classic, December 11,12, 2011, LaBelle, Fl (Skill Level Tournament)
- Winter In Paradise Pickleball, January 14, 2012, Kings Point, Sun City Center, FL
- Geezer Meister Games, January 19-21, 2012, Summerfield, Fl ( USAPA Sanction Pending)
- Collier County Senior Games, February 10,11 and 12, 2012, Naples, Fl. (USAPA Sanctioned Tier 4)
- Lee County Senior Games, February 24, 25 and 26, 2012, Ft. Myers, Fl. (USAPA Sanctioned Tier 4)
- Polk County Senior Games, March 6-7, 2012, Poinciana, Fl
- Heartland Senior Games, March 9-10, 2012, Sebring, Fl
- Seminole, Good For Life Games, March 19-20, 2012, Seminole, Fl
- Charlotte County, Fit for Life, Senior Games, March 17-18, 2012, Port Charlotte, Fl
Reporting in from the Region:
ALABAMA
Jerry and Virginia Corker - "From October 11-13,2011, the Alabama State "Masters Games" took place in Trussville, Alabama. "Jerry and I did a pickleball demo and got about 15 newbie players interested. Next year's game is at Valley, Alabama, which is not far from where Bob Huskey (Ambassador, Opelika, AL) is so I gave those people his contact info and hopefully they'll continue to play.
While we were at Trussville we went over to Graysville to see their facility. (Places to Play in Alabama on USAPA.org) their contact person Laura Statum was out of town while we were in the area so didn't get to meet them. They have two very nice outside tennis/pickleball courts and one taped off court in the gym.
FLORIDA
Rich and Donna Donald The pickleball players at Valencia Lakes in Waumauma, Fl received very good news. In a TBO.com article on October 19, 2011, Marisa Lufkin, project manager and VP of GL Homes reported: "When we first built the pickle ball courts, we had no idea that the game would be so popular," Lufkin said. "The four courts we have are very active; so we decided to move the basketball court and add three more pickle ball courts."
In The Villages, Fl the Pickleball Community recently negotiated for evening Indoor Pickleball Court time at the gymnasium of the First Baptist Church of Oxford. This 3 court facility has superb lighting, AC and is heated (winter play). It will accommodate all interested players on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month from 6-8 PM, beginning on November 3rd. Reservations are NOT needed, simply come to the gym and join the fun.
Garf Cooper, Is the Beginner Program Chairman for The Villages, Pickleball Community Volunteer Group. Training takes place at nine separate recreation centers within the community.
The success of this program has been phenomenal. Here is just a a quick summary:
2011 Training Program as of mid November
- 5,085 new players have attended 253 classes.
- The attendance rate is 83.75% for all classes.
- 1954 attended 96 PB101 Classes.
- 1539 attended 85 PB102 Classes.
- 1357 attended 64 PB103 Classes.
- 235 attended 10 Advanced/Beginner Clinics.
The Beginner Pickleball Program Exceeds Resident Demand! You can CLICK HERE to view Garf's complete power point presentation.
Susan Forget, is preparing to plan a pickleball tournament at the Long Center in Clearwater, FL this winter. They will have four courts available, but she needs to give the recreation director an approximate number of players expected. If you might be interested in attending, or you know of a group in or around the area that may like to participate give Susan a call. Contact information is available on the USAPA "places to play" website.
Dick Freshley - Palm Beach County (PBC) - "The meeting with the manager of Palm Beach Parks was OK but not what I had hoped for. I expected them to dedicate one of the many tennis courts in PBC for us to use. There are hundreds of them, empty most of the time. What he proposed was that when we get a consistent group of players, let him, know and he will then give us a place in the parks to play. It is kind of a catch 22 now. I will have trouble keeping a game going without a court, and he will not dedicate a court until we have the people.
I am going to take another shot at JCC (Jewish Community Center) in DelRay. That is a huge operation with pool, gym and many tennis courts. They also have a lot of, full-time, senior members. We are members there, through Humana which provides it free as a part of their Silver Sneakers program. I also have a contact at Poinciana, which is a giant, nearby, senior residence in Lake Worth. There are several hundred seniors there and they have their own recreation facilities including tennis cou
Anita Rimler,Daytona Beach Shores - "We are growing leaps and bounds with people from area's near us to vacationers who have read about us on the USA pickleball location page.
We are out growing our 2 courts and cannot wait for the bidding process for our new courts to be completed.
Travelers and snowbirds to our area are thrilled that they can finally play while vacationing in beautiful Daytona Beach Shores!"
These players: Carol Christopher, George and Anita Rimler and Roni Jackson appeared in the Our Towns Section of My Community News on November 3rd.
These players: Carol Christopher, George and Anita Rimler and Roni Jackson appeared in the Our Towns Section of My Community News on November 3rd.
North Carolina
Earl Cunningham, Gastonia, NC "The Gastonia Phillips Center has recently added 3 indoor pickleball courts. Skip Youngblood (Recreation Center Supervisor I) advised me that they would make the courts available on Wednesdays 6:00pm until 9:00pm through December of this year.
Anyone wishing to play can just show up at the Center on Wednesdays, balls and paddles will be furnished. Never played pickleball? Not a problem. We have players with several years experience that will be glad to show you how. It's much easier to learn and easier to play than tennis. the game is a slowed down KING SIZE version of ping pong."
Mike and Nancy Falkenstein, Franklin, NC - "The Franklin, NC,
CLICK HERE for some photos of the resurfaced courts and our Pickleball Players enjoying the last of the outside play!
We will be playing until mid-December when we break for the holidays and then resume after the New Year. Visitors are always welcome. They can contact us for play details if they will be in the area." Contact information is available on USAPA's places to play link.
Laura Patterson, Winston-Salem, NC "Since I did the interview with WXII News 12 Girl Talk, I have had a number of calls requesting a Pickleball Demonstration. On Wednesday, November 2nd, I did a demo at the Kernersville Senior Center. We had 9 people that attended the demo, which was held from 2 to 4 p.m. Everyone loved the game and they told the program director that they are ready to start playing on a regular basis. They will start playing every Wednesday at 2 p.m. They do not have any equipment so I will loan them my extra set of equipment and they will order their equipment within the next week. The director also told me that they will be having a Senior Games Day kick off in January and pickleball will be part of the activities.
They invited me to join them next week but I told them that I would be in AZ at the National tournament. I also have two more demos tentatively set up for this month in Greensboro and Salisbury NC. Hopefully, we will have more consistent pickleball in those areas." Pictures have been added to the North Carolina Photo Gallery.
South Carolina
"It was a lot of fun and we generated good enthusiasm. All of the players caught on so well and I believe all of them will become regulars at our pickleball sessions.
We now have a court designated just for beginners at Odell Weeks. Whenever there are two or more beginners, they can use the court to practice and/or play. When they feel comfortable to play with the more advanced players, they are welcome to do so.
Pictured from left to right: Susan Andrew, Loretta Beckner, Paul Baltzell, Bobby Starks, Marsha Isenhour, Jean Fishel and Sherry Moor. (Missing from photo are Sherry Baltzell, Sue Stutman, and Wendy Hilliard).
I'm hoping to give more classes the first of the year....I think it
will really help grow the sport here in Aiken.
will really help grow the sport here in Aiken.
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
