David Zapatka Summer is coming and the sun is out. The sun is beautiful, but it’s also a genuine challenge on the pickleball court. We love playing in it and we occasionally curse it while squinting into a lob we’ve completely lost. Playing pickleball in the sun is a complicated relationship. You need a strategy.…
Tag: pickleball
May 2026, Sports
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun—Dink and Dine
Roxanne Housley The upper pickleball courts and ramada were full of girlfriends playing Pickleball and enjoying tasty appetizers before, during and after play. A variety of pizzas and salads along with red and white wines were provided by the hosts: Cindy Mueller, Wendy Turley, Chris Reitz, and Roxanne Housley. Dink and Dine attendees brought the…
Generals, May 2026
Routine Court Cleaning: Safety, Playability, and Long-Term Care
Daryl Laux To keep our tennis and pickleball courts safe, playable, and well maintained for everyone, regular cleaning is part of routine court care. In Ariz., outdoor courts quickly collect dust, sand, pollen, seeds, and debris carried by wind and foot traffic. Even when this buildup is not obvious, fine dust and grit reduce traction…
Sports, April 2026
Relishing Pickleball: Playing in the Wind
David Zapatka Wind is the great equalizer on the pickleball court. It doesn’t matter how polished your dink game is or how powerful your drive is; a stiff breeze can turn your best shots into unforced errors in a hurry. The good news is that with a few smart adjustments, you can use the wind…
February 2026, Sports
Relishing Pickleball: Mastering the Spin Game
David Zapatka Spin is one of the most underrated game-changing skills. While beginners often focus on simply getting the ball over the net, intermediate and advanced players know that adding spin can create awkward bounces, force errors, and open up the court. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your offensive tools or add finesse to your…
February 2026, Front Page
APPL Teams of Quail Creek
Shireen Kolarik Social competition—that is what pickleball is about. Some people play only for fun, others only to win, but most people play for a combination of both. The Arizona Pickleball Players League (APPL) provides team play for all types of pickleball players. APPL is comprised of four or five state regions; 2.5 to 5.0…
January 2026, Sports
Pickleball Interim Board Members
December 2025, Sports
Pickleball Cleaning Schedule in December
The pickleball courts will be closed for cleaning on the following dates and times. Be sure to consult the online reservation system before heading down to the courts. Thursday, Dec. 11, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Courts 5-8 and 21-24 Thursday, Dec. 18, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Courts 9-12 and 25-28 Thursday, Dec. 25, No Cleaning—Christmas
November 2025, Front Page
Celebrating 12 Years of Pickleball
Shireen Kolarik Twelve years ago, a beautiful, 16-court pickleball facility was under construction in Quail Creek. Even before the courts were finished, excited residents signed up for email notifications and free pickleball instruction. A group of even more excited residents started the Quail Creek Pickleball Club (QCPC) to organize and promote open play, organized round…
Sports, October 2025
Relishing Pickleball: What to Look for in a Paddle
David Zapatka Reader Ann Howard writes, “Hi David, been reading your column in Robson Ranch Views. I’m a 3.5 player, in my 70s, and got a new paddle almost three years ago. I play regularly two to three times per week. I have been making more mistakes than usual and wondering if it’s me, the paddle,…