Jim Carlson Pickleball does not stop at the Sun Lakes Cottonwood Palo Verde pickleball courts during the summer months. Starting in May, the courts have been home to the Firebird Ladder League with 25 to 30 players each Thursday evening. Each week, the courts have been equally attended by men and women showcasing their skills.…
David Douglas … when five Sun Lakes Pickleball Club at Cottonwood Palo Verde (SLPCC) members were sitting on the Saguaro Room’s south porch relaxing and enjoying each other after a vigorous afternoon of pickleball play. Of course, all the courts were full of players, with many waiting in reload position as the club clock was…
David Zapatka Last month we discussed how to beat the bangers. Blocking at the kitchen line was a key strategy. This article will pick up with that focus. Consider these strategies to improve your blocking skills. 1. You know the hard shot is coming. Be prepared, knees bent, relaxed, eyes on the ball, paddle out…
David Douglas Sun Lakes Pickleball Club at Cottonwood (SLPCC), one of the largest clubs in Sun Lakes with 467 members this past year, continues to thrive in the midst of the record-breaking summer heat that our Valley is known for this time of year. Like all of Sun Lakes, SLPCC experiences the same membership exodus…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…