2010 Senior Olympics Recognition Ceremony

The 2010 Senior Olympics Awards Ceremony was held today in the Arena. This Awards Ceremony has been hosted by Joyce Brandt for the past 8 or 9 years (her picture is posted in the blog). This Awards Ceremony is looked forward to by the residents of Highland Lakes.

Highland Lakes Pickleball Olympics - Beginners Doubles 2/26/10

Our beginners had their chance to play in the Pickleball Olympics today. They all played very well and we are very proud of them. They used some of the techniques and strategies they had been taught by their Coach Don Gullakson.  The Pickleball games were very interesting and it was fun to watch them play.  We had a good crowd of regular players as well as spectators who came down to the Arena to watch the beginners play and to show their support. 

Click on Picture to Enlarge- use back arrow to return to this page.

Highland Lakes Pickleball Olympics. Ladie's Doubles on 2/25/10

Another great day at the Pickleball Olympics.  This time it was the ladies turn to compete amongst each other.  We had 6 teams signed up to play in the Ladies Doubles.  Everyone tried their hardest to win the games.  It was some of the most challenging Pickleball matches you could hope for.  We want to thank all the participants for putting on great matches.

Click on Picture to Enlarge- use back arrow to return to this page.

Highland Lakes Pickleball Olympics. Men's Doubles on 2-23-2010

We had some great competition on Tuesday, February 23, 2010. The men had evenly matched teams and were very competitive with one another. They played their hearts out to the delight of everyone watching. The judges were there to enforce the rules and boundary lines of the games. We cannot say enough about the help we get for these games from all the people who are in the Pickleball Group. Congratulations to all players who participated in this event.

Click on Picture to Enlarge- use back arrow to return to this page.

Highland Lakes Pickleball Olympics. Mixed Doubles on 2-22-2010.

Pickleball Olympics - A good time for everyone.
We started our 2010 Highland Lakes Senior Olympics for Pickleball on Monday February 22nd. We had a packed house with onlookers, judges and participants filling the arena. We ended up with 26 players joining in the competition that lasted more than 3 hours. Everyone enjoyed the great playing and stuck around to see who won the Olympic Medals. There were many great moments and great playing that kept everyone glued to their seats. We want to Thank everyone who made this night so great. Congratulations to all the players who took part in this event.

Click on Picture to Enlarge- use back arrow to return to this page.

 

H.L. Pickleball Players are getting excited of the upcoming Pickleball Olympics starting next week.

On Thursday and Friday of this week, we had a record turnout of Pickleball players. On Friday, there were more than 30 players who came to enjoy a game of Pickleball and others trying to get in some practice for the Pickleball Olympics starting next week. As you can see from the pictures there were many Pickleball players sitting on the sidelines waiting their turn to play a game of Pickleball.  This week happens to be school break for many of the children from up North and we were fortunate to have some of them visiting here at Highland Lakes.  Among those visiting were members of Harry Yorgensens family.  Micheal, Levi & Estelle Yorgensen.  They were very anxious to come to the arena to play some Pickleball games and we enjoyed having them.  Jared Cardoza flew in last night and was up bright and early so he could get to play Pickleball today. 
   

Pickleball Players practicing for the Olympics.

This morning there were lots of Pickleball players who came to practice their game for the Pickleball Olympics. The Pickleball Olympics are due to start on February 22, 2010. This year we used a handicap system to determine how the teams would be picked. Harry Yorgensen and Manny Cardoza worked together to create the teams for the Mixed Doubles, Men's Doubles, Ladies Doubles and Beginner Doubles. All teams have been paired up and everyone should know by now who they will be playing  with. This gives everyone a chance to practice with their partner before the start of the Pickleball Olympics. BJ Rhodes from Ellington, CT was glad to be here to play Pickleball during his winter break.  He is the grandson of Manny & Marie Cardoza.
 

Pickleball Skills Clinic provided by Rich and Donna Donald.

Thank You to all our players who came out to participate in the Pickleball Skills Clinic.  USAPA Florida Ambassadors Rich and Donna Donald were visiting in our area and were nice enough to provide our players with a Free Pickleball Skills Clinic.  Thank You Rich and Donna for taking the time to help our Pickleball players try to improve their game; it was greatly appreciated.  We held this clinic on the outdoor courts, the weather was a little cool when everyone arrived but the players were all dressed for the weather, hats, glove, earmuffs, you name it and they were wearing it.  The players didn't let the weather stop them from enjoying the clinic.  It was a lot of fun and everyone came away with a little more knowledge about the game of Pickleball.  Our Pickleball Skills Clinic is also posted on the Atlantic South Region Blog.  Go to the bottom if this blog on the right hand side you will see a link pointing to this site.  You might like to check it out. 
 

Click on Picture to Enlarge- use back arrow to return to this page.

Friday morning Pickleball played on the outdoor courts.

On Friday, we played Pickleball on our outdoor courts. The weather was good and we had lots of fun until the wind picked up and then it was a completely different game. Anyone who has played  Pickleball on the outdoor courts really seemed to enjoy it. On Monday, we will be starting to play Pickleball in the Arena again. We are so fortunate to be able to have indoor Pickleball. Our regular schedule for indoor Pickleball will resume next week. Looking forward to seeing everyone back on the courts.

Click on Picture to Enlarge- use back arrow to return to this page.

Pickleball Senior Olympics starting at the end of February.

Last night we played Pickleball in the Arena and we had four courts going.  There were many players very happy to be playing indoors even for one night.  We had a new couple (Dave & Judy Wenzel) wanting to learn the game.   They did very well and we hope to see them again.  Pauline Duschesne and
Audrey Gorski are working on sharpening their Pickleball skills with Don Gullakson as their coach.

A reminder to all Pickleball players that the dates for the Pickleball Olympics have been set.  The games will be played the last week in February.
Please come to the Arena to add your name to the sign up sheet or call us (M&M at 728-6942) so that we may add your name to the sign up sheets or you may email us at mcardoza@embarqmail.com).

The schedule is as follows:
Monday night, February 22nd - Mixed Doubles starting at 6:30 pm.
Tuesday morning, February 23rd - Men's Doubles starting at 8:30 am.
Thursday morning, February 25th - Women's Doubles starting at 8:30 am.
Friday morning, February 26th - Beginners Doubles starting at 9:30 am. 

Click on Picture to Enlarge- use back arrow to return to this page.