Mark your calendars and get your partner! IronOaks’ Third Annual Pickle Barrel Classic will be on March 10-13, and registration has begun. This fun-filled event will once again include an exciting array of activities for our players and visitors: food, local vendors, daily gift basket raffle, 50/50 raffle, and much more! There will be Men’s,…
Category: Sports
Sports, January 2025
Relishing Pickleball: Playing the Middle
David Zapatka If you have played pickleball very long, you’ve heard of this strategy, “hit the middle of the court.” What does this mean, why should we do it and why does it work? Our first thought may be that this means to hit the middle of the opponents’ side of the court. This is…
Sports, January 2025
Two Docs and a Jock
Linda Shanahan It was a normal Thursday morning on the pickleball courts at IronOaks. Beginning level Skills and Drills were in session, with five new members joining for their first drill with the group. As usual, session leader Linda Shanahan had them briefly introduce themselves. After the session, participant Bob shared with Linda that he…
Sports, January 2025
Silver Medal Winners
Linda Shanahan Three gentlemen from the IronOaks Pickleball Club recently competed in the Biofreeze USA Pickleball Championships in Mesa. Bill Corso and Tom Snider played at the 4.5 UTR-P level and went three games, with the gold medal winners losing in the final game 9 to 11 to earn the silver. Chris Cramer, a new…
Sports, January 2025
Tennis Tips from Coach Kwong
It is thought the server has the advantage—not always. The fastest recorded serve at 157 mph was by John Isner. He recorded 113 aces during his 11-hour 2010 Wimbledon marathon, beating Nicolas Mahut. In the 2007 Indianapolis Tennis Championship Quarter Final, Sam Querrey displayed 10 consecutive aces against James Blake. In another match, Canadian player…
Sports, January 2025
Cottonwood Tennis Club Was Entertained by Rokusek’s Generation Polka Band
Barb Jorgensen The Cottonwood Tennis Club was entertained by the Rokusek’s Generation Polka Band after our Nov. 13 general membership meeting. Members enjoyed music, pizza, beer, and wine following this meeting. The club routinely holds social gatherings on the tennis court patio. You don’t have to play tennis to be a member of our club.…
Sports, January 2025
The Bradshaw/Neu Tournament 2024 Was a Success Once Again!
Dannette Hunnel The biggest Cottonwood tennis event of the year, a weeklong tournament beginning Dec. 1, brought together nine local East Valley 55+ tennis clubs, attracting 110 participants at five levels, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, and 75+. We were also fortunate to have 70 helpful volunteers and many supportive spectators. Winners of each category are…
Sports, January 2025
IronOaks Tennis Club Starts the Season with Food and Fun!
Carole Rockland More than 80 members of the IronOaks Tennis Club came out to start the season with a morning of social tennis, fun, and good food. The event on Nov. 9 was hosted by the Valley of the Sun tennis team Party at the Net. They provided a delicious assortment of chilis and cornbread,…
Sports, January 2025
Sun Lakes Bocce Ball Club at Sisk Park
Kathy Hoff, Publicist Happy New Year! The Sun Lakes Bocce Ball Club is in full swing, and it’s wonderful to see teams enjoying each other’s company. The first session’s Potluck and Awards Picnic is on Jan. 12 at 1 p.m. at Sisk Park. There is still time to register for the second session! The deadline…
Sports, January 2025
Hole-in-One – January 2025
Sharon Ironside Scores a Hole-in-One! Congratulations to Sharon Ironside for acing hole number 10 during ILGA league play on Nov. 21, 2024! Dari Akin Scores a Hole-in-One! Congratulations to Dari Akin for acing hole number 4 on Nov. 14, 2024, during ILGA league play!