Southport Elementary Pickleball Volunteers (end of March) – THANK YOU


This volunteer group just wrapped up at the end of March. What a wonderful experience for the kids.

A great big thank you to all the Pickleball Volunteers who gave pickleball instruction to the children at Southport Elementary.  You were so giving of your time and patience! 

For those who weren’t at the school during the second week, you should know that the students cheered when they saw the pickleball nets up and realized they were going to get to play again. 

It was amazing to see how many hands went up when we asked who had played pickleball before and how many were going to play over Spring Break!  The children were truly grateful. You all need to be recognized for your hard work. I know there were some naps taken on days you volunteered!

-Alicia Mastropietro
-Joe Mastropietro
-Scott Hettinger
-Marilou Rubright
-Cheryl Giese
-Joe Giese
-Sheryl Hill
-Mary Heatherly
-Scott Nasiff
-Katy Nasiff
-Leslie Saralino
-Nancy Jorgensen
-Karen Fania
-Jim Fania
-Eileen Kopunek
-Kathy Kunze
-Sandy Schach
-Wendy Casterline

Extra thanks from Cindy Hettinger for your help and flexibility!

St. Patrick’s Day Event Pictures

Nothing but positive feedback.  Even the very strong gusts of wind could not put a damper on the day.  

People brought great food and great fun.  It was really fantastic to see all the SJPA members having such a fun time playing. 

Great job to Andy and Kathy Goliszek for laying all the groundwork leading up to this event.  We were sorry not to see them there due to a last-minute illness and sincerely hope all is well.

A very big THANK YOU to Joe Bietz, Andrea Velez and Robyn Smith for jumping right in to save the day.  They did a wonderful job of getting the day all set up and keeping things running smoothly.

We all also owe a big THANK YOU to Carolyn Gaziano, who took a lot of pictures during the event. Here is a link to all of the photos that Carolyn took:

Again, many thanks again to Andy, Kathy, Robyn, Andrea and Joe for a fantastic team effort putting together a great event.

A LETTER FROM OUR PRESIDENT: 2/22/23

Hello to all of our 503 St. James Pickleball Association (SJPA) members, at this early point in the year! Here we are nearing the end of February with a few fun, successful events behind us, and lots more to come. 

Our Winter Dance was fabulous with lots of dancing to great music provided by The Salty Dawgs! To top it off, we raised over $3,200 for Matthew’s Ministry! Thanks to the Social Committee for a well-organized event. The beautiful raffle baskets were a huge hit! We are looking forward to many more awesome social events this year.

Mother Nature did not cooperate for our Winter Classic Pickleball event, which had to be canceled. Almost a wash-out, our Valentine’s Pickleball Social ended up being a big success! (Many thanks to the Events committee members who spent more than an hour rolling the courts!) Laughter, yummy food, and fun pickleball ensued – and the weather cooperated. Our Events and Tournaments committee is hard at work planning more excellent activities to enjoy this year.

Coming in March, Kim has a pro-night planned on the 2nd, so, mark your calendars.

The popular Progressive Dinner is on the 16th, a St. Patrick’s Day Pickleball Social on the 17th, and then something new to our repertoire, “Mixed Up Doubles” social pickleball will be on the 22nd. More details will be on our website. 

Our awesome webmaster and Board member, Al Hausmann, and his side-kick Diana Kelly, keep us all “in the know,” with a jam-packed website, http://www.stjamespickleball.com.   One feature we’ve recently added is a “ST. JAMES PICKLEBALL ASSOCIATION – 2023 CALENDAR of EVENTS,” so you can see the activities that our committees have planned and easily update your calendar! Be sure to check out the website frequently, so you don’t miss the latest happenings on and off the courts planned for this year.

Membership is still growing! Every month, Christine Cournoyer and her army of volunteers, welcomes 20 or more folks to the “New To Pickleball” event. Then Christine runs a “Beginners Pickleball” every week, teaching the basics to those who catch the pickleball “bug.” This wonderful service provided by our volunteers helps our newbies learn the game and find other players at their level, so they can enjoy the game we all love to play!

Our Sunshine Committee, Chaired by Kathy Goliszek, has been very busy, and we hear great reviews from our members who are recipients of their cards, meals, and support when injuries, surgeries, illness, etc. arise. This committee also coordinates food collections at different events throughout the year on behalf of the Southport-Oak Island Interchurch Fellowship Food Pantry (SOIIFC), who is so grateful for the generous donations and support of the SJPA. 

The roll out of the new, Troon Chelsea reservation system (is that a groan I hear?) has been challenging, to say the least. That being said, it seems like folks are getting the hang of the system, in spite of the frustrations as we adjust to this new product. We will be approaching our Club Management about the possibility of some improvements to the system, to make it more user friendly, and will keep you updated.

Another recent addition is the Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating (DUPR). We are optimistic that this system and its complex algorithm will assist with obtaining reliable ratings that will be useful for our players as they participate in SJPA events, as well as tournaments, ladders, and other events outside of SJPA. Since DUPR is new to most of us, we are anxious to get to that 60th game entry that will (hopefully) give us a realistic rating.

Your SJPA board and committees are working diligently on your behalf, to make 2023 a momentous year. As we strive to provide a well-rounded pickleball program, Board Members: President (me): Deb Chiarello – oversee the various events and activities, VP: George Johnson, Treasurer: Kathy McArthur, Secretary: Mary Heatherly, Communications: Al Hausmann, Tournaments and Events: Jeff Franken, Social: Liz Wilson. 

I continue to represent the SJPA on the Troon Sports Advisory Committee, where we work with our Club management to provide an excellent pickleball experience for our Club members. We are listening to you, and continue to make recommendations for expansion, improvements, and maintenance at our facilities.

Most importantly, we are thankful for each and every one of you, and appreciate your enthusiasm and support. Please feel free to contact me, or any of our board members, if you have questions, concerns, or suggestions. I look forward to seeing you on the courts! 

All the best!
Deb Chiarello,
SJPA President

Member Appreciation EVENTS

November 16 @ 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm

Kim & Adam invite you to challenge us.

There will be 2 opportunities for you to teach us a thing or two. We look forward to your challenge and having fun with you on the court. You have an advantage
because Adam and I have never played together! We encourage all levels of play to take advantage of this opportunity. We, as the pros, promise to play in a way that challenges your level of play, whatever that may be.

Both events: Challenge the Pros, Drop Shot Challenge will be held at the Greg Rymer Courts. The Franklin Ball will be used. Prizes will be on hand.

EVENT #1: Challenge the Pros – Wednesday 16th from 3:30 – 5:30 pm

There are many ways of winning, the first is by participating! I want this to be fun for every challenging team/player.

Kim & Adam invite you to challenge them to a 10 minute game. Challengers can be:
— Mixed team
— Women’s team
— Men’s team
It’s up to you!!

*Our schedule will have 1-2 minutes between games
*Our time will allow for up to 10 teams to challenge
*You may play on 1 team only
*As each team arrives, we ask you to use your paddles to determine order of play
*Arrive early to be one of the first challengers
*You can place your paddle in queue once both of you are present

For this to run smoothly we’d like to see at least 3 teams in queue
by 3:30, and 3-4 after that.

ONLY TEAMS THAT HAVE SIGNED UP CAN PLAY.
ONLY 10 TEAMS CAN SIGN UP.
Play will begin promptly at 3:30pm.

I have my partner’s information I want to sign up now to Challenge the Pro!


EVENT #2: DROP SHOT CHALLENGE – Thursday 17th from 1:30 – 2:30 pm

Kim & Adam will feed balls & provide targets which are tomato cages, for you to hit &/or sink your drop shot from various areas of the court.

How we will play the game:
–If you, the player, successfully hits or sinks a ball at or into the
cage from a particular area, then the pro is given 3 chances to do the same.
–If the pro can match the shot, then the score is even (think Corn Hole).
–Pros feed all balls and pros alternate turns to even out the score.

There are four time slots and eight people per time slot.
First start time:
–1:30pm (sign up)
–1:45pm (sign up)
–2:00pm (sign up)
–Last: 2:15pm (sign up)

Open to ONLY 8 different players every 15 minutes. Please sign up for a time
slot.

REQUIREMENTS:
–Sport or Golf Membership
–SJPA paid member

How to determine your pickleball rating

When you don’t have to think about which shot to hit, you just naturally hit it, you are a 5.0

When you don’t have to think about which shot to hit, but you can’t successfully hit it 2000 times in a row, you are a 4.5

When you have to think about which shot to hit, and when you figure it out, you can successfully hit it, you are a 4.0

When you have to think about which shot to hit, but then still hit the wrong shot, you are a 3.5

When you have to think about which shot to hit, but by the time you decide on the correct shot it’s too late to hit it so, you just go with trying to get it back over the net, you are a 3.0

When you don’t bother to think about which shot to hit, and most of the time don’t hit it in the court anyhow, you are a 2.5 and guaranteed to be having a lot of fun.

-credit to Pickleball Ontario

“GOING FIT” – Condition Muscles Prepping for Pickleball

“Going Fit’s group fitness, small group training and personal training all work to increase muscular strength, endurance, cardiovascular endurance, core conditioning, agility, mobility and balance. Try any of our group exercise classes for the drop in rate and then get ready to jump into the monthly membership to get the benefits from Yoga to Cycle. If you are looking for more individualized attention and to focus more on a specific goal, meet with a trainer for your first session and fitness assessment.”


Going Fit, Inc.
Heather Wilson: Haley@GoingFitExercise.com
Tel: 484-947-7315 – Seaside Gym for classes.

TOP 14 ETIQUETTE RULES FOR PICKLEBALL

– rules that you won’t find in any official pickleball tournament handbook or rulebook.

  1. When somebody inadvertently hits a ball onto your court from an adjacent court, retrieve it and toss them that same ball that they hit onto your court. Don’t switch balls. I repeat, don’t switch balls. 
  2. When retrieving a ball from an adjacent court, make eye contact with someone from that court and then directly toss or hit them the ball. Don’t just hit the ball back into their court without looking. That’s very annoying!
  3. If your ball rolls on to the court next to you, shout out, “BALL, BALL ON COURT.” They could be in the heat of battle and did not see the ball, causing an extremely dangerous situation. OR, they just plainly do not see the ball because they are concentrating on THEIR game. Be courteous and let them know YOUR ball is on their court. SAFETY!
  4. Don’t play keep away from the best player on the other team during rec play just so you can win – they want to play too!
  5. Don’t cross the court behind a match until play has stopped. It’s not only rude, but it can be very dangerous as well.
  6. Don’t chest-bump or be excessive in the celebration when your opponent makes an error. If, on the other hand, you or your partner made a great play…Same goes for the “spectators.” Please don’t clap or cheer when the opposing player misses an easy shot.
  7. If you are obviously the weakest player on the court, thank the other players for playing with you after the game. However, don’t take advantage of their graciousness by staying on the court for an indefinite period of time. More than a game or two will undoubtedly wear out your welcome.
  8. If you are asked to play with a group that is obviously of a lower skill level than you, graciously accept and play a game or two with them. They will likely appreciate your graciousness and understand that you want to get back to similarly-skilled players after the game.
  9. If you are obviously the strongest person in your foursome, tone down the competitiveness and hit your opponent’s balls that they can return. Work on a new skill – perhaps it’s a great time for work on that third shot drop shot.
  10. In rec play, don’t exploit someone’s physical limitations just so you can “win.” Not cool!
  11. When somebody inadvertently hits a ball onto your court from an adjacent court, retrieve it and toss them that same ball that they hit onto your court. Don’t switch balls. I repeat, don’t switch balls.
  12. When retrieving a ball from an adjacent court, make eye contact with someone from that court and then directly toss or hit them the ball. Don’t just hit the ball back into their court without looking. That’s very annoying!
  13. Encourage everyone to stay hydrated.
  14. If you and your partner can’t determine if the ball was in or out – or if you disagree with your partner on a line call – the benefit of the doubt goes to your opponent. Wait! That’s actually an “official” rule!

HAVE FUN !!!

How to Use the St James Pickleball Website

All of the pages in our website are important. They all contain something that you were looking for, needed the information for, wanted to register for, or it may even answer an argument from the pickleball courts.

On the homepage:

  • Note the navigation toolbar is on every page
  • Our main image changes frequently based on what’s happening
  • Next – We have three featured columns
  • Just under the featured content – One of the most important sections is the “Latest Posts” it contains the most current information from our community and within our website
  • Next to the “Latest Posts” is a list of current Events

Find out more in our short video: How to use StJamespickleball.com website

BONUS!!! Win 3 Pickleballs!

Be on the lookout for an EASTER EGG!
An Easter Egg is hidden code or images placed in the website, on a CD, or in an appliance by the developer. Typically it requires a series of keystrokes or inputting code to reveal an Easter Egg. 

BUT in our circumstance, it will be a hyperlink to a claim form, or it may be a very small picture of an egg that links to a claim form. It is your job to find the link or a picture of the egg, click on either and then fill out the form to claim your 3 FREE PICKLEBALLS.

NOTE: Should someone find the Easter Egg (or link), and claim it, and then should it turn into a mass uncovering of the hidden Easter Egg, the first person find and fill out the form wins. There will be several on the website throughout the year.

Our Opponent Dropped Their Paddle on the Court During Play, Do They Lose the Point?

Thanks for posing this question, which is a very good question and it is always best to discuss these things outside of play.

11.H. Items on the Court. If any item a player is/was wearing or
carrying lands on their side of the court, unless the item
lands in the non-volley zone as a result of a volley, the ball
remains in play even if it hits the item.

But remember, no part of you or anything that has contact with you, including your : hat, paddle, etc., may touch the non-volley zone while in the act of volleying.

9.B. It is a fault if the volleying player or anything that has contact
with the volleying player while in the act of volleying,
touches the non-volley zone. For players using wheelchairs,
the front (smaller) wheels may touch the non-volley zone.
9.B.1. The act of volleying the ball includes the swing, the
follow-through, and the momentum from the action.
9.B.2. If the paddle touches the non-volley zone during the
volley motion, before or after contacting the ball, it is
a fault.

The #1 Move to AVOID in Pickleball

What is the #1 Move to Avoid in Pickleball? This is a great question and of course, there are many good answers, but this was an answer that Scott Hettinger provided.

Do you want to be a better player? Do you want to move from2.5 to 3.0, 3.0 to 3.5, 3.5 to 4.0 or 4.0 to 4.5? Do you want to be a successful doubles pickleball partner?  HERE IS THE NUMBER ONE MOVE TO AVOID…………….

                                                          The Eye Roll

So… your partner popped it up for the 5th time… your partner hammered the ball into the net… again… your partner hits that easy kill shot into the parking lot… etc., etc., etc. We’ve all been there. Resist the urge to give the EYE ROLL. Your partner is doing their best. They didn’t try to pop it up, slam it into the net or crack a windshield in the parking lot. Give them some encouragement. They already feel bad about it. They are doing their best at that moment.  

It certainly isn’t going to improve their play by giving the condescending EYE ROLL or other disparaging moves like mumbling under your breath or dropping your head in disgust.  How about we tell them “No worries you’ll get the next one. That was a tough shot, keep at it you’re doing ok! Good try on that one. You’ll get it.”   Just remember… if you are the best 3.0 and move up to the 3.5 level, you aren’t the best anymore. You are probably starting out at the bottom of that next level.  You might be the one popping it up, hitting the net or the back fence for a while. Do you now want to be on the receiving end of that EYE ROLL? I think not!!!

So, let’s all remember that pickleball is for fun. We aren’t making a living off of it. We are playing with all our friends and neighbors, and we enjoy their company. Don’t lose sight of that fact. Be a better partner. Be a better player. Be a better friend. Just a thought for your day………………….

Scott Hettinger

New Rules added for 2022: NO Chainsaw serves, NO Swearing!!!

It’s a new year, and that means new pickleball rules. Every January, USA Pickleball issues an updated rulebook. If you cuss during your games, wear headphones, carry more than one ball, or have been using a chainsaw serve, get ready to adjust your play this year. Here are some key things to know about how the game is changing in 2022.

No headphones or earbuds during competition play

These devices have been banned because they could allow players to receive coaching during the match. Another reason for the rule? Player safety — earbuds can be dropped on the court and cause an injury hazard. Also, USA Pickleball says such devices can prevent players from hearing calls or the score, thereby causing potential delays to explain or repeat calls that were not heard. Note: Hearing aids are still allowed.

Spinning the ball on a serve

In 2021, many players experimented with the so-called “chainsaw” serve. In this move, the server rolls the ball against the paddle, sometimes even including the grip, as the ball is being tossed. Then the player hits the fast-spinning ball to finish the serve. The intense spin on the ball can make it kick left, right, up or down.

In 2022, this move has been banned. But you can still put “finger spin” on a serve. The new rules say server can use only one hand to release the ball to perform the serve. If the ball is visibly spun by the server during the release, the part(s) of the hand contacting the ball must be bare (no gloves, band-aids, etc.).

Moreover, the receiver (and referee, if there is one) must be able to see the server’s release of the ball. 

Example: A server is wearing a glove on her hand that releases the ball, but she has removed the glove material allowing the thumb and first two fingers (that touch the ball) to be exposed and add spin to the ball. The referee lets this glove be used.

Extra balls

In officiated matches, you’re not allowed to carry an extra ball on the court. However, in social play, USA Pickleball says you may carry a spare ball. However, the balls are not to be visible to your opponent during play. And if one of your extra balls falls on the playing surface during play, that’s considered a fault.

Example: A player is carrying an extra ball in his pocket. During a rally, the ball falls out of his pocket but lands out of bounds. The opponents claim a distraction fault, but the player who dropped the ball contends that because the ball landed out of bounds and not on the actual court, it is not a fault. The player who dropped the ball is wrong; the opponents are correct that a distraction fault has occurred.

Multiple bounces before a serve

USA Pickleball is clarifying this year that on a serve, there is no restriction how many times the ball can bounce nor where it can bounce on the playing surface before the server hits it. 

The intent of this rule is to let the ball bounce as many times as the server chooses before he strikes the ball to perform the serve, as long as the serve is made within 10 seconds after the score is called. The rule also clarifies that the ball may bounce anywhere on the playing surface before it is hit to perform the serve.

Swearing.

There are a number of new rules about how and when referees can issue warnings for foul language.  

Previously, a referee was allowed to issue one “global warning” per match for use of profanity. When the warning was issued, it was made generally to all players — not just the potty mouths. Now, a referee may give each team a single verbal warning per match. Refs can also give technical warnings and fouls for bad language, which can cost you a point. Refs are not supposed to stop play to issue warnings or fouls, but they are to mete them out once a rally has ended. Check out these examples:

  • Team A receives a verbal warning for uttering an expletive.  Later in the match, a player on Team B   says the same word. The referee may give a verbal warning to Team B regardless of the prior verbal warning issued to Team A.
  • The referee calls a non-volley zone fault on a player who enters the kitchen when he was not permitted to. After the rally is over, the faulted player walks by the referee and without looking directly at the referee says, “That was a bull—- call.”  The referee may issue a verbal warning for unsportsmanlike conduct.
  • Team A gets a verbal warning for a specific profanity. A player on Team B later says the same word, but more loudly. The referee gives a technical warning to Team B. Team B asks why they did not receive a verbal warning the same as Team A. The referee may explain that their volume was greater and verbal and technical warnings are based on referee discretion.
  • A player utters a profanity, and the referee issues a technical warning. The player protests and says the ref should have issued a verbal warning first. The referee reminds the player that there is no requirement that a verbal warning always be issued before a technical warning or technical foul.
  • While players are warming up before the referee’s pre-match briefing, one player loudly calls an opponent an “[expletive] cheater.” The referee issues a technical foul for extreme profanity and issues a point to the opponents before the match has started. 

Easy way to avoid all these warnings and fouls? Don’t swear during games!  If you are looking for ways to re-train your mouth, consider during drills or practice play deducting points for each bon mot uttered. Or, keep a “swear jar” and a roll of coins on the sidelines; deposit a fee for each infraction and your opponent keeps the money. Finally, if you have an Apple Watch or similar device, you can keep track of how many bad words were blurted out during the game by keeping a running tally with Siri. 

To see the full list of new pickleball rules, visit https://tinyurl.com/2af8d7tv. For a complete set of rules, visit https://usapickleball.org/docs/ifp/USA-Pickleball-Rulebook.pdf

Golf’s Growth Has Nothing On Pickleball, But The Two Sports Enjoy Synergies Nationwide (Troon)

Forbes Magazine: 12/30/21

Erik Matuszewski – Contributor – SportsMoney

While golf’s popularity soared across the country over the past year and a half, it was actually the No. 2 participation sport in terms of growth at many country clubs, resorts and golf course communities. 

Tennis has long been a natural complement to golf, but it’s pickleball that’s seen an explosion of adopters in recent years – both in terms of participants and facilities adding courts. While the numbers for 2021 haven’t been released, consider that in 2020 pickleball saw a growth rate in excess of 21%, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association’s participation report, jumping from about 3.5 million players in the U.S. to over 4.2 million. That’s still a fraction of the approximately 25 million U.S. on-course golfers, but the growth is substantial and it’s definitely not just a sport for the senior set, with an average participant age of 38.1 years old in addition to an almost a 60-40 split between men and women.

Yale And Other Top U.S. Universities Hit With Lawsuit For Allegedly Price Fixing Student Aid

It was notable that Troon, the world’s largest golf management company, earlier this year partnered with one of pickleball’s leading equipment brands, Selkirk Sport. In golf terms, Selkirk is akin to a PING, a popular, family-owned brand known for their quality products (in this case pickleball paddles) and growing legion of loyal customers. The number of devoted pickleball courts at Troon clubs continues to grow and Selkirk became Troon’s first “preferred pickleball partner” and an official part of the company’s Cliff Drysdale Tennis Division.

“Pickleball has certainly caught people’s attention,” said Troon President and CEO Tim Schantz. “There are clubs with multiple tennis courts that are converting some of that space into pickleball courts and, given the demand for those pickleball courts, they’re thinking about more. There’s something in the game that combines competitiveness for people that like racquet sports, but also the ability to play at a competitive level for a long period of time. That’s kind of the magic of golf too.”

Count Sherri Steinhauer, who played on the LPGA Tour for 26 years and won two major championships, among those who have embraced the golf-pickleball crossover. Steinhauer, now 59, turned to pickleball in 2016 after her golf career was waylaid by hip injuries and today competes professionally in a 50-and-over division while playing almost daily as a resident of Phoenix, Arizona. Visit any golf-centric residential community in states like Arizona, California, North Carolina or Florida and it’s a good bet you’ll hear the sound of a plastic pickleball, which looks a bit like an oversized Wiffle ball, being struck by a paddle. 

“I just fell in love with the sport,” said Steinhauer, who today is a brand ambassador for Selkirk and tried to qualify for nationals earlier this year. “It actually replaced the competitiveness that I felt in golf. But I wasn’t enjoying that in golf anymore. When I played pickleball, I suddenly had that feeling back like when I was a kid and starting out in golf. It’s just gone on from there.”

Steinhauer says there are quite a few LPGA players who play pickleball, among them 29-year-old Amy Olson, who was the runner-up at the 2020 U.S. Open. “We’ve played quite a bit together,” said Steinhauer. “She’s really, really good and fun to play with. And she’s got a group of gals she plays with out on tour.”

Phil Mickelson and Matt Kuchar are among those on the PGA TOUR who play pickleball, a sport that combines elements of tennis with badminton and ping pong. It’s played on courts that are a good bit smaller than tennis courts, which is why a number of clubs, resorts and communities have transformed some existing tennis areas into multiple pickleball courts. Others, like BallenIsles Country Club in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, have sought to expand their pickleball presence in a meaningful way that complements its outdoor activities.

In addition to its three 18-hole championship golf courses, BallenIsles has been rated as the No. 2 tennis facility in the country and the posh South Florida club has been the home training ground for Venus and Serena Williams for almost two decades. But while the tennis program continues to thrive, BallenIsles added an entire complex of pickleball courts this year to keep up with the growing craze; in just two years since introducing options as part of a strategic plan, the club saw its number of active and interested pickleball participants almost quadruple.

“It’s been on our radar for so long, but this last year has been a real eye-opener on how much our program has grown,” said Gary Henderson, the Director of Tennis at BallenIsles and former world-ranked player who competed at Wimbledon and as a member of Great Britain’s 1995 Davis Cup team. “People can take to the sport with maybe not an advanced skill level in racquet sports and can immediately play again. You can elevate your game very quickly, to a point where you can compete or enjoy a game of social pickleball with people who have played for many years. And the pickleball community, they fit in with each other very well straight away. You’re seeing such growth because of nature of the sport.”

Schantz talked about visiting with the Drysdale team during a Troon teambuilding event earlier in 2021 and getting to play a five-set match against the now 80-year-old Drysdale, the well-known tennis announcer who was once ranked as high as fourth in the world and reached the final of the 1965 U.S. Open tennis championships. While tennis is his central to his lifestyle, Drysdale today plays a good bit of pickleball.

“I was pretty wiped out,” said Schantz. “It was really fun and, much like golf, pickleball has a handicap system in place that lets Cliff and I play against each other and be evenly matched. Although he did beat me.”

Having a golf-focused company like Troon get involved with pickleball is a huge legitimizer for the sport, said Selkirk co-founders Mike and Rob Barnes. When they first got into pickleball in 2014, focusing on research and development as well as marketing efforts, the sport was just starting to take off.

“The amount of people in the sport now is probably one thousand-fold. It’s been crazy to see the adoption,” said Rob Barnes. “Overall, the sport has been growing 10% a year, they estimate, but we think it’s more. Last year during Covid, it doubled. Our company has grown a minimum of 50% to 100% a year since our founding.

Now, with a company like Troon having that foresight for where the sport is going and showing other resorts and management companies the future, that’s huge for the sport. Having them enter is a big legitimizer for the sport and where it’s going.”

The synergies between golf and pickleball are significant – from the demographics to the facilities – and are really helping grow the sport, especially at properties like resorts, country clubs and residential communities.

“The momentum it has right now, we wake up everyday and are blown away where the sport is going and where we think it’s going to be,” said Selkirk’s Mike Barnes. “We don’t see it slowing down anytime soon.”

SJPA October: 1st, 2nd & 3rd – Team Tournament RESULTS

With almost 100 players broken into four teams the competition began. Teams were divided by ratings: 2.5 mixed, 3.0 women, 3.0 men, 3.5 women, 3.5 men, and 4.0 men.

Then the competition began: Men’s and Women’s Round Robin events on Friday, October 1, 2021. Drill competitions all day Saturday, October 2, from 8:30 – 5 pm. The grand finale was dinking competition on Sunday the 3rd and wrapping up the tournament with a mixed round robin event.

We had fantastic weather with warm but pleasant temps. The clubs provided lunch on Saturday. Then on Sunday, after the tournament ended, we enjoyed a celebration dinner and drinks (drinks provided by SJPA). The winners of the three-day tournaments was the Captain Morgan team headed up by Laurie Morgan. The team included: Rosemary Reines, Marge Ferguson, Holly Ahrens, Michelle Volk, Eileen Kuponek, Darin Denzler, Marion Johnson, Susan Lamar, Lisa Daly, Richard Kelly, Bernie Collins, John Summerville, Jim Ahrens, Cynthia Damato, Karen Fania, Lynn Albrecht, Jim Fania, Kevin Daly, Rick Depetris, Tommy Boggs, Joe Beitz.

Round Robin Setup Form

We’ve added a Round Robin Setup form to the SJPA website. The form covers Round Robin play from 8 to 35 players and, as a bonus, a score sheet is located on the last page of the document.

To access the Round Robin Setup form:

  • Hover over “Pickleball Play” at the top of the SJPA website.
  • Scroll down and click on “Round Robin Setup”
  • Print the page or pages that you want to use.