Tag: pickleball

Third Annual Elf on a Shelf Round Robin Social

Sunny skies, no wind, Santa Claus (Paul Hauser), his elf (Linda Olsen), and 72 players made a memorable Christmas round robin. After six games, players and nonplayers enjoyed a pizza and salad lunch topped off with abundant desserts. The courts were decorated by the Social Committee, and a group of elves created a string of…

Relishing Pickleball: Doubles Strategies

David Zapatka Continuing our study of Pickleball Fundamentals Master the basics and compete with confidence by Mary Littlewood, we will now learn from two professional Hall of Fame players Ms. Littlewood quotes in her book regarding doubles strategies. Alex Hamner and Jennifer Lucore were the national women’s doubles champions in 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014, and continue to…

Relishing Pickleball: Shot Selection

David Zapatka Continuing our study of Pickleball Fundamentals Master the basics and compete with confidence by Mary Littlewood, it is time now to learn about shot selection. Mary Littlewood says the ideal sequence of shots provides a means for all four players to get to the net where pickleball is won and lost as opposed…

Quail Creek vs. SaddleBrooke Ranch Pickleball

After a three-year hiatus, the famed Robson SaddleBrooke Ranch vs. Quail Creek Pickleball match was held on Saturday, April 15. The event drew a total of 108 players (27 teams from each community). The winner would take home the trophy and bragging rights for another year. The weather was perfect, the matches were hard-fought, and…

Hop into Spring

Roxanne Housley There were 64 players and more than 70 Pickleball Club members who enjoyed a MOD Pizza lunch at the April 1 Hop into Spring round-robin social. The Easter Bunny made a surprise visit and led a few willing members in the Bunny Hop! He even got into the swing playing some pickleball. Following lunch,…

Quail Creek Pickleball Club Winter League

David Mungo The Quail Creek Pickleball Club (QCPC) Winter League season ended March 26 and was celebrated with food and drink at the Ramada. There were more than 140 players during the nine-week season. They played with spirit, sportsmanship, and skill! If you visited the courts any Sunday afternoon during the season, you saw 16 full courts…

Relishing Pickleball: The Overhead Smash

David Zapatka Continuing our study of Pickleball Fundamentals Master the basics and compete with confidence by Mary Littlewood, it’s time now to learn about the overhead smash after learning about lobbing the past few months. Mary Littlewood says the overhead smash is the most aggressive, offensive shot in all of pickleball. It’s usually hit off the…

Fitness in the ’80s Pickleball Round Robin

Roxanne Housley Sixty-four enthusiastic pickleball players warmed up to “Footloose” and “Let’s Get Physical,” led by Jane Fonda and Richard Simmons, aka Laura and Steve McMurtry. Following the six-game round robin, players and nonplayers enjoyed an enchilada lunch. Prizes are always a highlight, especially this month with three lucky players winning private lessons with Sharon…

Relishing Pickleball: The Lob–Part 2

David Zapatka Continuing our study of Pickleball Fundamentals Master the basics and compete with confidence by Mary Littlewood, “The lob is a lofted shot hit off a bounce that can be either offensive or defensive in nature. The object of lobbing is to force your opponents, who are in a strong position at the non-volley…

Relishing Pickleball: Pickleball Hitting the Major Leagues

David Zapatka The Seattle Mariners hosted “Pickleball Night” on Sept. 10. Group tickets helped raise money for the Seattle Metro Pickleball Association. Valley resident and Seattle native, Riley Newman, threw out the first pitch for his hometown team. Riley grew up a Mariners fan, and this was a dream come true for him. Riley is…