David Zapatka Pickleball continues to grow in popularity around the country. It’s now making its way into U.S. universities. The leading example of this is my friend, Jarrod Smith, coach of Drury University’s men’s and women’s tennis teams, and in 2024, coach of Drury’s co-ed pickleball team in Springfield, Mo. In August, Drury announced the…
Tag: pickleball
January 2024, Community News
IronOaks Racquet Club Plans Event to Benefit Neighbors Who Care
Planning is underway for Play It Forward, the third annual tennis/pickleball event to benefit Neighbors Who Care, on Saturday, April 6. All area communities are encouraged to join, including Sun Lakes Country Club, Cottonwood Palo Verde, IronOaks, Robson Reserve, Solera, Springfield, and SunBird. The event will offer both gender and mixed play at $20 per…
December 2023, Card Games & Sports
Relishing Pickleball: Doubles Tactics for Players of Any Level
David Zapatka Continuing our study of Pickleball Fundamentals Master the basics and compete with confidence by Mary Littlewood, Ms. Littlewood offers these basic doubles strategies for players of any level. To read all her advice, buy her book. Always face the ball on the other side of the net. Regardless of where you are on the court…
December 2023, Card Games & Sports
Pickleball at SunBird
Welcome to our newest Pickleball Club members: Kristi and Tony Burkhart, Charlotte Foster, Bill Holliday, Marty Martin, and Sherry Williams! And a warm welcome back to Ann Woodley. The Pickleball Club hosted its winter Welcome Back on Nov. 4! The morning play was followed by a delicious brunch in the Horizon Room. The restaurant was…
Front Page, September 2023
Pickleball Club a Real Dill-Light!
Welcome to our newest club members Michelle and Earl LeBlanc and Debbie Little! We have some fun and exciting events for fall, including a Clinic Night and a Ladies Night Dance Party! Stay tuned for the details of these events. It’s been a hot, hot summer! Summer play hours continue through Nov. 1: Tuesday, Wednesday,…
August 2023, Card Games & Sports
Relishing Pickleball: Shot Selection
David Zapatka Continuing our study of Pickleball Fundamentals: Master the basics and compete with confidence by Mary Littlewood, we will now learn about the selection for the third and fourth shots of a rally. Third Shot: Serving Team “The third shot of any rally—a shot hit by the serving team—determines which doubles team will gain the…
Card Games & Sports, May 2023
Pickleball Club Update
We had an amazing end-of-year event in which many of our players got to compete in a fun round robin and win prizes like cars, drinks, and other pickleball trinkets. A delicious lunch was served by Espy. Many thanks to Julie and her staff for a great meal. The SunBird Mixed Nuts mixed doubles team…
Card Games & Sports, February 2023
Pickleball Club News
February is the month for our annual Pickle 4 Purple Charity event, which is our fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s Association. So many people have been touched by this devastating disease, and we are looking to raise money for research and caregiving. It is a fun event to play in (all levels are welcome). Volunteers, sponsors,…
Card Games & Sports, January 2023
Relishing Pickleball
Notable National Championships and a TV Special David Zapatka I hope many of you made it to the Margaritaville USA Pickleball National Championships in Indian Wells, Calif. It was a blast. We attended the final three days watching all the pro events including Super Sunday when the finals of all five pro events were played.…
Card Games & Sports, December 2022
Relishing Pickleball: The Pickleball Market Continues to Grow
David Zapatka Last month we announced Major League Pickleball had arrived. High-profile individuals Drew Brees, James Blake, Lebron James, Draymond Green, Kevin Love, and a host of others invested in teams. The new Vibe Pickleball League was recently announced. The first high-profile team owner is Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks NBA basketball team.…