David Zapatka This gold medal was one for the ages. Sheila Parkinson and Dianne Zimmerman went undefeated the entire day, didn’t even lose a game. They defeated top-seeded Jan Yu/Lisa Smith 11-9, 11-5 in a semifinal match in the winners’ bracket, then beat second-seeded Jeni James/Jamie Knoph 11-4, 11-7. In the gold medal match the…
Dianne Zimmerman and Jeni James (Buckeye) won the highly-attended 4.5 Women’s Doubles Tournament at Mesa Regal December 7. This was the second tournament Dianne and Jeni played together. They won all but one game sending them to the gold medal round undefeated. The gold medal match was exciting and tough as Dianne and Jeni lost…
Irene D’Aloisio, Publicity It’s coming! Warmer weather and the Norris Invitational Tournament (NIT)! The annual Pickleball event is scheduled for March 7-11. This tournament is held at the Cottonwood Pickleball courts in Sun Lakes and is open to all Sun Lakes residents. You can come to watch, or you can sign up and play. Either…
David Zapatka Sun Lakes Pickleball competitors played the ever popular Venture Out Pickleball Tournament November 17-19 in Mesa and brought home numerous medals. In the 4.0 mixed division Sheila Parkinson and Steve Smitham had a strong tournament slicing, dinking and driving their way through a strong 4.0 field making their way to the finals of…
Irene D’Aloisio, Publicity, SLPCC What’s a Sun Laker to do on a glorious spring day? Watch or participate in the annual Norris Invitational Tournament (NIT) of course! The event is scheduled for March 7-11. This annual pickleball tournament which is held at the Cottonwood pickleball courts in Sun Lakes is open to all Sun Lakes…
Sheila Parkinson and Dianne Zimmerman competed in their second 4.5 Women’s Double’s tournament at SPA No. 1 Pickleball Championships in Surprise on October 30. Sheila and Dianne had a tough match against the No. 1 seeded pair winning 11-8 only to lose the next two games, sending them to the Bronze medal match. In the…
Irene D’Aloisio, Publicity It’s been a banner month for Jo Anne Burr, 82, and Beverly Shalin, 82. Both of these terrific pickleball players have won gold and silver medals at tournaments around the country. And both of these champions are members of our very own Sun Lakes Pickleball Club Cottonwood. The USAPA Nationals were held…
Whether you’re a seasoned player or just curious about this crazy game that’s sweeping the country, you’ll definitely want to make plans and join the fun November 8-11, when Robson Ranch Arizona hosts the 2015 USAPA Nationals VII. The USAPA-sanctioned tournament is in its seventh year and consistently brings some of the top ranked players…
David Zapatka Over 18,000 participants competed in over 70 sporting events in Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska the first week of August. Events ranged from aquatics, basketball, fencing and cycling to hockey, lacrosse, tennis and pickleball. Qualifications for the bi-annual State Games of America are stiff. Only competitors who won gold, silver or bronze medals in…
Sheila Parkinson, Dianne and Bob Zimmerman, JoAnn and David Zapatka represented Sun Lakes in the 2015 Rocky Mountain State Pickleball Championships July 25 and 26. Coloradans now know Sun Lakes! The seasoned partnership of Sheila Parkinson and Dianne Zimmerman dominated the Women’s 50-54 Doubles competition losing only one game en route to their gold medal…