Don Simmons and David Zapatka, 4.5 men’s doubles silver medal winners
The13th annual Duel in The Desert was held at Palm Creek’s beautiful 32 pickleball-court garden in Casa Grande. This ever-popular tournament draws players from numerous states and out-of-towners were exactly what Simmons and Zapatka faced in the 4.5 men’s gold medal match. Rodney “Rocket” Grubbs, owner of Pickleball Rocks, Inc. from Indiana and Mark Beltz from Minnesota proved to be too much for our local boys to contend with when they lost 11-9, 3-11, 11-3. But after a long day of the paddle battle the taste of the silver medal was still sweet.