David Zapatka From 2.0 to 5.0, we have all faced the “bangers,” those players who prefer to hit everything hard rather than play the soft game hitting dinks and drop shots. Would you like to defeat these hard hitters? Consider adopting these tips. Hit deep returns. Keep the banger at the baseline with a deep…
Tag: pickleball
May 2025, Sports
2025 Norris Invitational Pickleball Tournament Revived, Raises Funds for Charity
Keith Ori After initially facing cancellation, the 2025 Norris Invitational Pickleball Tournament made a triumphant return thanks to the dedication of a small group of club members who brought the beloved event back to life. Held from March 3-5, the tournament was a resounding success, drawing enthusiastic players and spectators alike. Pickleball Is Great, a…
May 2025, Sports
Relishing Pickleball: Keys to Successful Net Play
David Zapatka We’ve all heard the saying, “Pickleball is won at the net.” What does this mean? Honing your skills around the non-volley zone (kitchen) can improve your play and results. Here are a few key points: 1. It all starts with hitting a deep serve, putting the opponents in a position where it’s tougher…
April 2025, Sports
Cottonwood Palo Verde Intro to Pickleball Clinics
Jim Carlson The Sun Lakes Pickleball Club Cottonwood has provided an Introduction to Pickleball clinic one Saturday a month from October through March. We have had more than 70 Cottonwood Palo Verde individuals participate in this free clinic. I wish to thank the volunteers who shared their knowledge and time for the benefit of our…
Sports, April 2025
Cottonwood Palo Verde Weekly Pickleball DUPR Round Robin
Jim Carlson The Cottonwood Palo Verde pickleball courts host a Thursday Night DUPR Pickleball Round Robin. The weekly events started in July and have been a popular, fun event for all levels of pickleball. One hundred forty-two pickleball players have participated in the weekly round robins. We max out at 35 players per week due…
April 2025, Sports
Tennis Participation Grows to More Than 25,000
Dannette Hunnel Even as pickleball’s popularity surges, tennis participation in the United States rose to 25.7 million players in 2024, the sport’s fifth consecutive year of growth, says the U.S. Tennis Association, citing an analysis of numbers drawn from two studies not yet fully released. The jump of 1.9 million players from 2023’s total of…
April 2025, Front Page
Pickleball Team Competes at State’s Top Level
Jeff Dunn The 2025 Arizona Pickleball Players League (APPL) is made up of more than 3,000 players across the State of Arizona and is played at a variety of skill levels, from 2.5 through 4.5. Our very own Stevie’s Wonders team, which includes nine players from Sun Lakes, earned the right to compete at the…
March 2025, Sports
Cottonwood Palo Verde Free Intro to Pickleball
Jim Carlson There are more than 36,500,000 active pickleball players in the United States and growing at all age levels, making pickleball the fastest growing sport in the world. 33.7% are over the age of 65. Your Cottonwood Palo Verde Pickleball Club is inviting HOA2 homeowners or renters to attend our free Pickleball Clinic on…
March 2025, Generals
The Power of Play: How Pickleball, Golf, and Fitness Enrich the Lives of Robson Reserve Residents
Lance Williams, Executive Director Residents of Sun Lakes, As the Executive Director of a senior living community, I have the privilege of witnessing firsthand how recreational activities like pickleball, golf, and structured fitness programs transform the lives of our residents. While senior living communities are often associated with comfort and care, they are equally places…
March 2025, Sports
Cottonwood Palo Verde Women’s APPL 3.5 65+ Pickleball Team
Jim Carlson We want to congratulate the Cottonwood Palo Verde Women’s 3.5 65+ pickleball team, Team TNT, for competing in the APPL league. They have entertained us with pickleball prowess on the Cottonwood courts. Come watch the remaining home games on courts 5-7 at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 1, and March 15. These matches…