Training Clinic

Save the Dates: November 15 + 16

This year's training coordinator - AJ Fraties is currently organizing our first 2 day clinic of the season
Bob and Bev Youngren are coming to Palm Creek and will be giving a training clinic 
Day 1: Beginner and Intermediate Clinic
Day 2: Advanced Clinic
Additional information will be posted, when it becomes available

Note: The Blog calendar has been updated , check meeting dates, tournament information, social hours etc...

New Maintenance Coordinator on the job

Randall - Lee - Noel - Steve - Mark

                                          photo courtesy of Verna Moore

Lee Moore our new maintenance coordinator returned to Palm Creek and rounded up "the crew" to clean the courts, for the enjoyment of all!!

"Let's Play Pickleball"

Paddle Update

As of 10/22/11 another paddle has been listed on the USAPA, as not compliant for Sanctioned Tournament Play

Performance One Paddles (POP). Model Q1 (graphite and cork), Model Q1 (aluminum and Cork) Fails the deflection test, this paddle is sold by Brian Jensen.

Following is the complete list posted by USAPA:
List of Commercial Paddles Not Meeting Specifications of the International Federation of Pickleball (IFP)

Paddles that have failed the deflection test: 
Apike 
Hush  
Performance One Paddles (POP). Model Q1 (graphite and cork), Model Q1 (aluminum and Cork) 

This as described for size:
Pickleball Now Whomper Some paddles have been slightly oversize. Models at tournaments can be measured for compliance.

Huntsman Medal Winners in the News

CG residents win at senior games

Published: Friday, October 21, 2011 10:21 AM MST

Residents from Palm Creek Golf & RV Resort and Mission Royale brought home a total of 14 medals from the 25th annual Huntsman World Senior Games in St. George, Utah. The games ended Saturday.

In this year's games, more than 10,000 athletes participated in 26 sports.

Palm Creek medal winners included Sue Buerkens, Vance Christiansen, Sherry Gusse, Al Hager, Lee Moore, Sandy Stephens and Mary Whitfield.
 Mission Royale winners were Lenny Chimino and John Grasso.

New Pickleball Courts: Update #1

New Pickleball Courts: Update #1


AJ Fraties, Neal Whitfield and myself met with Palm Creek management to discuss the new courts for Palm Creek. This was our first chance to look at the plans Palm Creek has drawn up for their expansion. Of course the expansion has new RV sites. It also has pickleball courts, softball field, restrooms, food facility, doggie run, recycling area, parking, and picnic area. There is not unlimited area. To fit the ball field and pickleball courts the layout is not ideal but very workable. The current drawing has room for 26 pickleball courts. We most likely will not get 26 courts now. The final number of courts will be decided by costs of the courts and available financing. It will be awhile before we know those numbers.

We did emphasize our club’s consensus that we did not want to split the courts up. We do not want new courts in the expansion area and still have our current courts to use. It is very important to us that we have our all our courts in one place. We like the single court area for the cohesion it brings the group and how much easier it is to put on tournaments with only one venue. We will continue to work with Palm Creek on the details of the plan. I will be supplying them with the list of amenities that we would like to see. We will meet again next week to continue working on the details. As more details become available I will post them.

Mark Nelson

Huntsman World Senior Games - Medal Update

Women's Doubles
Sue Buerkens        Bronze 
Sherry Gusse         Silver 
Mary Whitfield      Bronze

Men's Doubles
Al Hager                Silver


Mixed Doubles
Vance Christiansen   Bronze
Al Hager                  Silver
Lee Moore               Silver
Sandy Stephens        Silver
Mary Whitfield          Bronze


Women's Singles
Sue Buerkens          Gold

Casa Grande Partying at Huntsman

Pizza Party

3rd Annual Saturday Night Huntsman Dinner

Mesquite Tournament Results

Mesquite held a brand new Pre-Huntsman tournament as a fund raiser for charity.  From all accounts it was a fun and well run tournament.

Congratulations to:
3.5 Gold Medal Winners - Steve Arthur and Lee Moore
3.5  Bronze Medal Winner - Ellen Mattson

5.0 Men's Doubles was quite the event for our Club Member Al Hager.  It is unprecedented for medal winners from other clubs to appear on our blog.  In this rare instance listing the other medal winners highlights the level of competition!
The medal winners are:
Gold - Al Hager and Mark Friedenberg
Silver - Dennis Makinen and Mark Clark
Bronze - Pat Kane and Chile Chilelli

John Ramirez this year's tournament director, advised that he will be holding the tournament again next year, on the same weekend, mark your calendars!

NEW COURTS - GENERAL MEETING

GENERAL MEETING

"A window of opportunity to make recommendations"

Tuesday, October 18th, 2011

2 PM

San Tan Room

The only item on the agenda will be

THE NEW PICKLEBALL COMPLEX

The meeting is being held, at this early date, as we need to work within the time frame provided by Palm Creek. 

If you are unable to attend the meeting and have ideas or suggestions please e-mail our club President

Mark Nelson: mcnelson555@sbcglobal.net

Court Updates

Welcome Back!!!!

• Effective 10/1/2012 - We return to a 7:30 AM start time
• Summer League Play has been approved at Palm Creek for Monday October 3rd and 10th
• Pickleballs will be provided for club members effective October 16th
• If players need balls prior to October 16th, they are available at the activities office - $2.00 each
• As a reminder the sitting area is shared space with Tennis, please be courteous and put chairs close to tables when you are done playing, Tennis players should have a path to their courts

September Medal Winners

Irene Fraties

Eagle's Crest Pickleball Bash

3rd - Women's Advanced Doubles

2nd - Mixed Advanced Doubles

AJ Fraties

Eagle's Crest Pickleball Bash

3rd - Men's Advanced Doubles
2nd - Mixed Advanced Doubles

Lee Moore

Eagle's Crest Pickleball Bash

4th - Men's Advanced Doubles

Laurel Wineinger

Kansas Senior Olympics

Silver - Women's Doubles

Dean Wineinger

Kansas Senior Olympics

Gold - Men's Doubles

Sue Buerkens

Sun River Tournament

1st - Women's Doubles

2nd - Mixed Doubles

Al Hager

Terre Haute Senior Skill Level

Gold - Men's Doubles

 Lynn Carlson

Terre Haute Senior Skill Level

Gold - Men's Doubles

End of Season Party

Great Food +

Great Friends =

A Great Time !

This get together was enjoyed by all, the tables were set, there was more food than we could eat; although unusual we even had too much desert!  With music in the background everyone had fun circulating from table to table. Summer play once again has been a lot of fun for all! 



End of Season

Many of you may think that the only Pickleball Season at Palm Creek is when you are here for the Winter months.  During the Summer months, Pickleball is very active.  No one is deterred by the heat or having to bring their own water or their own balls. On average 4-8 courts have been busy all season, with always a few players sitting out. Early morning play is enjoyed, with no chattering teeth or ice on the balls.  A few fans are set up for when sitting around between games. Last week the players were enjoying fresh fruit and cookies!  Palm Creek, Mission Royale and Robson Ranch united and rotated venues for playing. A great job was done with organizing the Summer League. The occasional evening pool parties with water volleyball were an extra bonus for a good time. In addition to good play, this summer league afforded everyone the opportunity to make new and lasting friendships;  this is the key element that makes Palm Creek and Pickleball the game of choice.

As the season is coming to an end it is time for one more fun Summer get together. If you are a pickler and your here do come...

                                                Flyer prepared by Sandi Feller

As a reminder the new season starts Sunday, October 16th, balls will be supplied on the courts at that time.

First Ever Pickleball Club Patio Sale

Our new club President, Mark Nelson has already set us up to participate in a brand new event!!

During the season Palm Creek has a monthly patio sale, that is advertised to the local community. This gives residents the opportunity to sell items, they are no longer using or have replaced

• This year the Pickleball Club is going to participate in the January patio sale, we will be located in the North Pavilion.
• This fund raiser will be for the benefit of our club.  All proceeds will be deposited in our club account.
• Betty Fairchild has agreed to be the coordinator for this event
• Please bring back with you all usable items that you would like to donate
• Your donations will make this event a Huge success

Regular updates will be sent out for this event, bring your goodies back to Palm Creek!!!

August 2011 - 17 MEDALS WON

ANOTHER GREAT MONTH

9 of Our Club Athletes Win 17 medals

Lance Thiede

Olympic Peninsula Senior Games

Gold - Men's Doubles

Silver - Mixed Doubles

Bob Sester

Olympic Peninsula Senior Games

Silver - Mixed Doubles

Rhoda Zaph

Olympic Peninsula Senior Games

Gold - Women's Singles

Bronze - Women's Doubles

Doug Kant

Royal Oak Summer 2011

Silver - Men's Doubles

Al Hager

Royal Oak Summer 2011

Silver - Men's Doubles

Silver - Mixed Doubles



Lee Moore - Ed Obermeyer

Olympic Peninsula Senior Games

Silver - Men's Doubles

Ed Obermeyer

Bronze - Men's Singles

Barb Schmidt

Wyoming Senior Olympics

Gold - Women's Doubles

Gold - Women's Singles

Gold - Mixed Doubles

LeRoy Schmidt

Wyoming Senior Olympics

Gold - Men's Doubles

Bronze - Men's Singles

Gold - Mixed Doubles