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Sunday, December 30, 2018

As we say goodbye to 2018

We reflect on the loss of a very special and giving club member

Laurel Wineinger
1940-2018

Laurel and her husband Dean joined our pickleball club during the 2008-2009 season.
She was a regular at the courts and actively participated in Round Robins.  
Laurel did not lose any time, signing up for our Resident Tournament and winning a Gold Medal!  
It wasn't long until Laurel became a volunteer. She volunteered as a Round Robin Captain and coordinated all the photography for our resident and annual tournaments for four years.  She also took many photos over the years for this Blog. If not busy enough, she also was a coordinator for ordering our club shirts for two years!
Laurel was an active member of the photography club and participated in the annual photo shows.
When not at Palm Creek and not on the pickleball courts at home, she enjoyed RVing with Dean.
During the summer of 2014 Laurel suffered from a life-changing event. She tripped and consequently lost her ability to walk. She spent a great deal of time in rehab and was determined to return to Palm Creek to be with her friends.  With Dean being the best caretaker, they returned to Palm Creek for the 2016 Nationals.
As a testament to Laurel and Dean's generosity of spirit - we had a player who lost her guest housing the day before Nationals was to start, she had made her travel arrangements and was registered to play in the tournament.  We put out a plea for someone to step up.  Laurel and Dean were here only a day and volunteered to host this player! 
Truly inspirational, Laurel was frequently at the courts in her pink wheelchair, always with a smile, sometimes with her camera in hand and a determination to make the best of each day.

God has you in His keeping We have you in our hearts

Sunday, December 23, 2018

Wishing you a VERY MERRY




Twas the Night Before Christmas
When all Through the House,
Not a Creature was Stirring
Not even the Spouse.

When up on the Roof
There Arose Such a Clatter,
We sprang from our Bed
To see What was the Matter.

Then What to Our wondering
Eyes should Appear,
But a Chubby Old Elf
Sporting Pickleball Gear!

He Wasted no Time
But he Started to Dink,
Then Shouting a Challenge
He gave us a Wink.

We Slammed and We’d Lobbed
Then we started to Volley,
He placed his Kill Shot
Then got Oh So Jolly!

We Heard him Exclaim
As he Flew Out of Sight
Maybe Next Year with Practice
They’ll Put up A Fight!

HoHoHo... Merry Christmas Everyone!
 
Author Della Bass 


Thursday, December 20, 2018

Christmas Pickleball Poem


Twas the night before Christmas                                                                   
And out on the courts
Were all types of people
In tennies and shorts.
All of them beaming and shouting with joy.
Happy as children with a new Christmas toy.
Out of their bags, colorful paddles appeared.
To the kitchen, they scurried, lined up, and cheered.
Let's dink it and drop it, let's volley and kill.
The balls started bouncing as if without will.
The sound from the paddles and balls as they rose moved all of the players to the tips of their toes.
Crosscourt and forward, balls started to fly
When appeared an old player with a wink in his eye.
Dressed in all red from his head to his toe.
A smile on his face and a warm, cheery glow.
0-0-2 he shouted as he served me the ball.
He moved like the wind, barely saw him at all.
Then all of a sudden, it was 11 to 0.
As we lightly touched paddles, he said he must go.
Before I asked where he disappeared in a haze,
But I heard his farewell while still in my daze
"Keep playing and laughing and having your fun!
Merry Pickleball to all, my work here is done!"

[A Poem By Greg LaVelle]


Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Hear Ye! Hear Ye!

Tournament season is coming upon us.
The Blog Calendar has been updated with tournaments for the season

The one you really do not want to miss is our Member Tournament:
  • The Tournament is Closed to Outsiders
  • Our Club Members volunteer to make this a "Great" Tournament for all of us
  • As a Fun Tournament, you do NOT need to be a member of USAPA to participate
  • Last year 398 club members played, this year it will be most of our club
  • In your weekly round robins ask one of the players to be your partner and to sign up with you
  • Look above the Calendar and you will see a Tab for "The Members Tournament" this will provide you with all the information you need!
Mark the Date on your Calendar Registration Opens on  December 20th!

The second Great tournament is our 16th Annual Tournament - Duel in the Desert:
  • Registration has opened and it appears that most events are full as are some waiting list.
  • Do not delay, right NOW take a look to see if there is something open in your Age and skill level, or if there is room on a wait list
  • If you are not able to register, by being a volunteer, you will be part an important participant in the success of this tournament

As to the other tournaments listed on the calendar, you need to look now, to see when registration closes. Some are closing soon. Others Registration will open after the first of the year.  
In most cases, you will need to be a USAPA member to participate. Like our Duel in the Desert be prepared for the better tournaments, to close registration quickly!

Tuesday, December 4, 2018

THE LARGEST PAYOUT

Nationals advertised $ 75,000 in prize money. 

It always seems to be a mystery as to who got paid what.  Jennifer Lucore got the scoop!

All Open Player winners were treated equally, young or old, playing singles or doubles. Something new, they paid for 4th place! 


The player winnings per open player:



   1st place =  $ 2,250
                                 2nd place = $1,300                                 
3rd place =  $  750
 4th place =  $  400