MERRY CHRISTMAS +

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A FANTASTIC 2012 PICKLEBALL YEAR FULL OF VICTORIES AND, MOST OF ALL, ENJOYMENT OF THIS GREAT GAME OF OURS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

REMEMBER...............SUPPORT YOUR SPORT!  JOIN USAPA TODAY!  WWW.USAPA.ORG!

PICKLEBALLDUDE
                                               

The incredible Steve Wong, one of the WORLD'S greatest pickleball players (IMHO) and 2012 National Pickleball Tournament Director (you sure you want to do that Steve?!) is requesting input on whether Pickleball tournament players prefer "Age Group" or "Skill Level" tournament format.  What is your preference??  Answer the "Poll Question" on the right side of this page.  Steve will see it as he is a frequent visitor to PickleballDude.  

Also, don't just visit www.pickleballdude.blogspot.com, JOIN the site!  That way, you can share comments you see on here that you think might be of interest to others.  No cost, of course!  

As always, PLEASE give me any comments and/or suggestions on how to make PickleballDude your go to pickleball blog.  Be careful what you wish for though.  You just might get published!!!!

PickleballDude

According to Steve (aka John) Boone, the Colorado Springs USAPA Ambassador (under the supervision of Ramona, of course!), Sun City West has THE best Pickleball courts in the state of AZ.  Do you agree or do you think Steve has a bad case of cabin fever in Colorado under 5 - 6 inches of snow!!!

Congrats to Fountain Hills Pickleball star Greg Woo on his appointment to FH Parks & Rec Commission. Way to go Greg!!!!

SURPRISE PICKLEBALL!!!!!!!!!!

GREAT NEWS!! The Surprise Pickleball Assn has reached it's $25,000 goal! Congratulations to all who worked on this monumental effort! See the article below from the Surprise Daily Sun. "The Surprise Pickleball Association has donated $25,000 to the city to convert two tennis courts to eight permanent pickleball courts. “The fundraising effort was supported by local pickleball clubs, Surprise businesses and more than 300 Surprise residents” said  Norm Davis, representative from the Surprise Pickleball Association. The funds, which were accepted at the Dec. 13 council meeting, will cover 100 percent of the cost associated with the renovation of the two tennis courts located at Surprise Community Park. The project will include resurfacing, fencing, lining and installation of new posts and nets.  The conversion of these courts will allow Surprise to offer leagues, classes and tournaments to players of the growing sport". PickleballDude

3RD INDOOR PICKLEBALL COURT!!!

Are you freezing your buns off in AZ??!!!  Well, how about this?  The 3rd indoor Pickleball court at Valley Presbyterian Church is ready for play.  Pickleball is a part (of course, the BEST part) of the church's Sports Ministry and Community Outreach programs.  Carlette Patterson is the leader of the Sports Ministry program and is excited about Pickleball.  Play times are Sunday, Monday and Thursday evenings from 6:00 - 8:00PM.  There is no charge to play and the courts are open to church members (DUH!) and non-members.  Of course, contributions are accepted BUT NEVER REQUIRED.  So, come on out and join the fun on the only public indoor courts in all of Maricopa County, AZ.

Directions to the courts can be found @ www.myvalleychurch.org.

Any questions?  If so, drop me an email @ pickleballdude@gmail.com

PickleballDude

SUPPORT YOUR SPORT

Are you a member of USA Pickleball Association? If you are involved in any way with the sport of Pickleball, you sure should be.

SUPPORT YOUR SPORT. JOIN USAPA TODAY! WWW.USAPA.ORG.

PickleballDude

POSSIBLE USAPA NATIONAL TOURNAMENT CHANGE

There is a rumor circulating that the USAPA is contemplating changing next year's national tournament format from "Age Group" to "Skill Level". Not sure which I prefer because I just like tournaments in general BUT I kinda think if you are really hurtin' for a medal, it would be basically impossible to "fudge" (AKA sandbag) on your age. What do you think? TAKE THE POLL ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE PAGE.

PickleballDude

FOUNTAIN HILLS PICKLEBALL CLUB WINNERS!

CONGRATULATIONS to Bob and Elizabeth Higginbottom for their great GOLD MEDAL play in the 3.5 Mixed Doubles in the Venture Out East Valley Tournament.

SAME KUDOS to John Koestner and John Kraft (J squared) for outstanding steady play which carried them to the gold medal match in the 4.0 (can you say sandbagger?  JUST KIDDING JOHNS) Men's Doubles at the Venture Out Tournament.  If just a few more points had gone their way, the woulda moided de bums but hey, they still took home a couple of big 'ol chunks of silver.  Way to go guys.

Good luck to Fountain Hills players headed down to Tucson this weekend.  Hope the weather holds for you!

NEWS FLASH!!!!!!!  When I figure out how to put pictures on here, I will do just that.  Hey, I told you I was a newby blogger so keep your shirt on.  I am working on it, I promise.

PickleballDude

Venture Out East Valley Tournament

Congratulations to Tournament Co-Directors David Leach and Steve Powell and all of the volunteers for a great tournament this past Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.  The turnout, food and, especially, the play was outstanding.  Many commented about how the level of play has improved greatly since last year's event.  I think that is probably the case with Pickleball in general.  Don't you?  I was tied up on Tuesday with other PickleballDude duties (work=UGH) but got to spend a lot of time at the tournament on Monday and Wednesday.  I heard nothing but positive comments from players and spectators regarding all aspects of the tournament.  Tell me that's not unusual, huh!!!!  No griping?  Was this really a pickleball tournament???  Here's a question for you..........how much did David and Steve have to pay the weather gods to keep the rain that came today away and have the 70-80 mph winds in California stay in California???!!!!!  Lottery ticket time?  Just a thought.
One final thought.....If you are participating in Pickleball in ANY way, you should be a member of USAPA.  SUPPORT YOUR SPORT.  JOIN USAPA TODAY!

PickleballDude

P.S.  I had planned to post some of the results of the tournament tonight but could not find them posted anywhere yet.  Bummer.