Category: Sports

Relishing Pickleball: Arizona Pickleball Players League Adding White Mountain Region

David Zapatka The Arizona Pickleball Players league (APPL) has now expanded its popular team-based pickleball league into its fifth region. After founding the first team-based pickleball league, East Valley Interclub League in 2012 (which has grown ever since), the Arizona Pickleball Players League was formally organized as a nonprofit in 2019 by a group of…

Pickleball Guru Clinic

Debbie Witten Four members of the SaddleBrooke Ranch Pickleball Association attended a two-day pickleball clinic in Tucson in October. Those attending included Nancy and Ben Eisenstein, Jackie Elphic, and Debora Witten. The clinic was taught by Prem Carnot. The focus of the clinic was to expand a new method of serving and returning a serve,…

SBRWGA Telegraph Tournament Results

Carol Mihal The brisk morning of Tuesday, Oct. 19, turned into a beautiful day for the SaddleBrooke Ranch Women’s Golf Association’s (SBRWGA) annual Telegraph Tournament. This tournament began many years ago, prior to many organized sport associations, when most players were unable to travel to competitions. Local competitions were then held, and the results were…

2021 SBRPA Annual Party

Nancy Eisenstein The SaddleBrooke Ranch Pickleball Association (SBRPA) enjoyed a Hawaiian “Aloha” themed party at the Ranch House Grill Sol Ballroom Saturday evening, Nov. 6. It was difficult to recognize many pickleball players because they were dressed in tropical or island-style attire. The Luau buffet-style dinner was served, and dancing with a D.J. followed. Anna…

SBRWGA Welcomes New Members

Carol Mihal The SaddleBrooke Ranch Women’s Golf Association (SBRWGA) sponsored a Coffee Get-Together on the morning of Nov. 4 for all members who joined in 2021. Many members of the SBRWGA Board of Directors attended, along with golf pros Mike Jahaske and Ken Steinke. Of the 25 new members in 2021, 14 ladies attended this…

SBRTA Celebrates 10 Years

Michael McDonagh After a year off due to COVID restrictions, Saddlebrooke Ranch Tennis Association (SBRTA) held its 10th annual event honoring our founding member, Helge Steiness. The Steiness, as we call it, was played over three days: Men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. As usual, the excellent support from so many spectators added to…

Putters Support Breast Cancer Awareness

Camille Esterman During the month of October, members of SBR Ranchette Putters collected funds in support of breast cancer awareness. The club agreed to match up to $250 in donations. Our generous putters contributed $725! With the club’s $250 pledge, a check for $975 was sent to the American Cancer Society.

Relishing Pickleball

David Zapatka Backhand Groundstroke Quoting from Pickleball Fundamentals: Master the basics and compete with confidence by Mary Littlewood, when hitting a backhand groundstroke, “The same principles apply when you’re hitting a backhand groundstroke (as a forehand groundstroke) except that you move to the left rather than to the right (right-handed players). While some players change the…

Putters Eager to Socialize

Camille Esterman It was evident that the Ranchette Putters missed the opportunities to socialize and putt. President Linda Sentivanac greeted approximately 70 women—many dressed in pink—at the “Welcome Back Putters Party.” The club invited all women in SaddleBrooke Ranch, and 26 prospective members were present. Many of them joined on the spot. Mexican hats and…

Pickleball Member Kim Ahlgrim-Heine Is a Certified IPTPA Rater!

Debbie Witten In May, Kim Ahlgrim-Heine received her certification by International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association (IPTPA) to rate for the advancement of pickleball players into rating levels of 3.0 and 3.5. This is considered a CRS4 certification. She offers Saddlebrooke Ranch Pickleball Association (SBRPA) members the rating sessions on Thursdays. However, she willingly works with…