David Zapatka Continuing our study of Pickleball Fundamentals: Master the basics and compete with confidence by Mary Littlewood, “the player returning the serve stands deep in or behind the service court, ready to return the ball. The returner should be alert and ready for the next play. As the serve travels over the net, the returner…
Tag: pickleball
Sports, January 2022
Pickleball Tournament Success Continues at the Ranch
Debbie Witten Corine Sturdivant, with her partner, received a bronze medal in mixed doubles 3.5, 60+ age group, in the Professional Pickleball Association Masters Tournament held in Las Vegas. Joe Campion and Tim Chamberlin received gold in 60+, 3.5 men. Ronda Hays and her partner received bronze in 50+, 4.0 mixed doubles. Beth Chamberlin and her partner…
Sports, January 2022
November 14, 2021 was National Pickleball Day at SBR
Debbie Witten The Sunday Chicks celebrated National Pickleball Day, Nov. 14, 2021, on the courts with competitive play. The ladies dressed in green or in their pickle outfits or in pickle shirts to show their support for the national holiday. Pickleball is the game, but fun, music, and laughs are added to their play each…
Sports, January 2022
Best Friends
Debbie Witten Two western USA ladies met on the SaddleBrooke Ranch pickleball courts and quickly became best friends. Both Carol Osgood and Margaret Rogers share the same age, same 3.5 level of play, plus the love for pickleball. Once they met, they soon discovered they were formerly avid skiers. Carol is from Bend, Ore., and…
Sports, January 2022
Thank You SBRPA Volunteers
Kim Ahlgrim-Heine On behalf of our 2022 board members, I’d like to thank the SaddleBrooke Ranch Pickleball Association (SBRPA) board members, committee chairs, and committee members who served our club in 2021. Besides all the day-to-day things, they had to contend with the results of the wind storm, continued COVID precautions, and a huge surge…
Generals, December 2021
What Is Pickleball? Come Join the Fun and Find Out!
Learn about pickleball on Tuesday, Dec. 14, at 3 p.m. Please arrive 15 minutes early for paperwork. Space is limited to 20 people, so visit our website at www.sbrpickleball.club soon to register. What you’ll need for pickleball: * Paddle and ball (provided by the club) * Lots of water for hydration * Tennis shoes or…
Sports, December 2021
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…
Sports, December 2021
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,…
Sports, December 2021
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…
Sports, December 2021
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…