It is with great pride and generosity from our Sun Lakes Pickleball Cottonwood Club (SLPCC) that we presented a check for $2,365 to the Phoenix Dream Center. They are located in Phoenix at 3210 NW Grand Avenue. We were able to learn first-hand the amazing work that they do. The center occupies a former Embassy…
Tag: pickleball
May 2024, Sports
Success! And Loads of Fun!
On March 11-13, 225 pickleball players participated in the IronOaks 2nd Annual Picklebarrel Classic. Each morning at 8 a.m. the courts filled with players ready to compete for the gold, silver, and bronze medal in each of the levels of play. Hot coffee, muffins, donuts, and welcoming greeters started the mornings off. Our talented announcers…
May 2024, Front Page
Pickleball Team Wins State!

Lorri Morgan, Communications Stevie’s Wonders 65+ 4.0 pickleball team was crowned Arizona Pickleball Players League (APPL) State Champions at the Pueblo El Mirage pickleball complex on April 7. League play began in February, and the team finished the season by winning the East Valley Region where they earned the right to face off against the…
April 2024, Sports
Relishing Pickleball: Blocking Shots
David Zapatka Would you like to neutralize the hard shots being hit in your direction? Consider a blocking strategy. Blocking a shot properly requires technique, positioning, timing and strategy. Follow this advice to improve your blocking skills: * Stand with your knees bent and feet shoulder-width apart. The lower you can get down, the better.…
April 2024, Sports
Cottonwood Pickleball Team Undefeated in East Valley Division

Lorri Morgan, Communications The Regional Season for the Arizona Pickleball Players League (APPL) is finished, and not one, but two of our teams were victorious in the East Valley Region. APPL has four regions in the Phoenix area: Southern, Casa Grande, Western, and Eastern (us). There is also a White Mountain region, but that is…
April 2024, Generals
Neighbors Who Care – April 2024
Neighbors Who Care: ‘Keeping Company’—Respite Care Is Simply Visiting with a Neighbor Remember the days when the crickets were chirping outside and the kids were scrambling to collect fireflies in jars and sitting on the porch keeping company with the neighbors? Shooting the breeze was the way we kept in touch before we scrolled through…
March 2024, Front Page
Paddle Up for Pickleball

Lorri Morgan, Communications Busy, busy—that’s the only way to describe the pickleball corner of the racquet facility at Cottonwood. Monday through Friday is club time until 2:30 p.m., and courts are assigned according to the schedule for different levels. There have also been a lot of training sessions, round robins to facilitate ratings move-ups, and…
March 2024, Generals
IronOaks Pickleball Club’s Second Annual Pickle Barrel Classic March 13-16

Well, here it is, our Second Annual (expanded) Pickleball Classic. Yes, expanded to include something for everyone! The tournament starts at 8 a.m. each day, and there will be much to explore. Come cheer on the players! Early risers may enjoy coffee and pastries. Enjoy our daily BBQ with burgers and dogs (Monday), taco bar…
March 2024, Sports
2024 Norris Invitational Pickleball Tournament March 4, 5, and 6

Peggy Martin The 2024 Norris Invitational Pickleball Tournament (NIT) opens on the Sun Lakes Pickleball Club Cottonwood (SLPCC) courts on Monday, March 4. The tournament goes through Wednesday, March 6, with a rain day on Thursday, March 7. The tournament was open to players from Cottonwood Palo Verde, Sun Lakes 1, IronOaks, Springfield, and SunBird…
February 2024, Generals
IronOaks Second Annual Pickle Barrel Classic

Sign-ups have begun, and only two weeks in, there are over 90 participants ready to play! Mark your calendar for March 11 to March 14, find a partner, and go to our website www.ironoakspickleball.com and get signed up today! All the details are on the website. There will be three full days of tournament play,…