David Zapatka Lucy Kovalova and Dick Johnson are this year’s Pickleball Rocks Players of the Year. Why is this a special moment for pickleball players in the Phoenix metropolitan area? Because Dick Johnson resides right here in the Valley. Many of our readers know and have played with or against Dick Johnson in social and…
Tag: pickleball
Sports, May 2019
It was a great year for the Sun Lakes Pickleball Club
Irene D’Aloisio, President Things are slowing down in our community, and pickleball is no exception. It makes me think about all we did this year. We did a lot! We had some fun socials, starting in June with one of our Southern members Puttin’ on the Grits, a pickleball social with a southern theme and…
Sports, May 2019
Pickleball Winners’ Corner
Sports, May 2019
Relishing Pickleball
David Zapatka The 2019 USAPA/IFP Rules have been updated. Here are some of the highlights: * Pen or sharpie-type markings are allowed on the paddle playing surface so long as they do not impact the surface roughness and are in good taste. * At the beginning of the serve, both feet must be behind the…
Clubs & Classes, May 2019
Wearing of the Green
Janet Myrick Wearing of the Green, Saint Patrick’s Day Pickleball Social was another huge success. This year, we had 48 players which were split into eight teams with six players each. It was a team event only allowing each person two points when serving with any rotation of players for all five rounds. The names…
Sports, May 2019
Cruise lines now embrace pickleball
Pictured are Bev and Jan Krueger of IronOaks winning a gold medal on Royal Caribbean Liberty of the Seas. Pickleball is now included in their sports program for adults and kids. Other cruise lines that are also making this sport available are Princess Cruises and Holland America Cruise Line. Travel the world with pickleball!
Sports, April 2019
Relishing Pickleball
David Zapatka If you don’t know George Anderson, you should. Nearly everyone who plays tournament pickleball in the Valley knows this gentle soul who takes charge on the court as one of the best pickleball referees in all of Arizona. I think George has refereed more matches than all the other Sun Lakes pickleball players…
Sports, April 2019
Pickleball Winners’ Corner
Janet Myrick If any Sun Lakes resident has won a medal in a pickleball tournament and would like it to be added to the “Pickleball Winner’s Corner,” please send photo, name of the tournament and division to Janet Myrick, [email protected].
Sports, April 2019
6th NIT at Cottonwood Courts
Irene D’Aloisio It was the sixth time, and it was just as successful this year as it was the first. With 86 teams and loads of volunteers, the Norris Invitational Tournament went for four days with lots of happy participants. The weather was absolutely perfect, and so was the play. Spectators cheered for their faves,…
Sports, March 2019
Pickleball clinic
Janet Myrick The Sun Lakes Pickleball Club of IronOaks invited champion pickleball player Helle Sparre to our courts to give a clinic for our members. Helle Sparre had an elite tennis career and competed in all four major grand slams – The Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. She was once…