Highland Lakes Pickleball

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Highland Lakes Pickleball Barbecue Outing

Karen's husband came to visit her this weekend and to watch her play the game of Pickleball. We were glad to see him join us at the Pickleball Barbecue Outing.

Pickleball Group Picture with players & their spouses.

Our Pickleball Barbecue Outing was held on Friday, March 27, 2009.
It was nice to have such a large crowd join us for some good food and fun. Everyone had a great time. We would like to Thank everyone who brought a dish, dessert or some type of food item. It was greatly appreciated. In conclusion we would like to say we don't think of ourselves as a Pickleball Group but we do think of ourselves as a Pickleball Family.

Pickleball Group picture with players only.

Pickleball Coach of the year.

Don Gullakson
I love my new hat.

We were glad to have Anita's sister & brother-in-law join us at our barbecue.

Anita had a Birthday yesterday and we all want to wish her a Happy Birthday.

Pickleball Barbecue Outing
Table #1

Pickleball Barbecue Outing
Tableball #2

Pickleball Barbecue Outing
Table #3

Pickleball Barbecue Outing
Table #4

Pickleball Barbecue Outing
Table #5

Pickleball Barbecue Outing
Table #6

Pickleball Barbecue Outing
Table #7

Pickleball Barbecue Outing
Table #8

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Highland Lakes Beginners Olympics

Beginners Olympic Partners
Diane Santi
Penni Ebersman

Beginners Gold Medalist
Kathy Garza
Donna Leech

Congratulations to our Beginners. Our Pickleball Coach Don Gullakson was very proud of his students who played in the Beginners Olympics today. They played a great game of Pickleball and had fun doing it.

Beginners Olympic Silver Medalists
Ann Parker
George Brown

Beginners Olympic Bronze Medalists
Dyan Zimmerman
Richard Ekstrand

Beginners Olympic Partners
Donzetta Miller
Karen Orman

H.L. Beginners Pickleball Group

A job well done. Our beginners outdid themselves playing in the Olympics this morning. They looked great, concentration was at a level high and the scoreing was unbelievable.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Highland Lakes Mixed Doubles Olympics

The Mixed Doubles Olympics were played today and it was a great success. There were ten teams playing. This is the most teams we've had since we've been Chairpeople. They all gave their best and had fun playing the game. We Thank them all for their efferts. We are proud of all our players. We want to also Thank the Judges and all who attended and cheered the players on.

PICKLEBALL CODE OF ETHICS

Every person involved in pickleball as a participant, official, volunteer, representative of the USAPA or spectator pledges as follows:
I will not engage in unsportsmanlike conduct or encourage others to do so. I will not engage in any behavior that would endanger the health, safety or well being of others. I will not engage in the use of profanity. I will treat others with respect. I will exhibit fairness and honesty in my dealings with others. I will not flaunt my position. I will not use USAPA records or materials for personal gain. I will observe the Golden Rule of doing unto others as I would have them do unto me. The above Code applies in all situations that relate directly or indirectly to pickleball play.

About Pickleball

Whether you have terrible hand-eye coordination or are a racquet sport pro, you will have fun playing pickleball.If you are a novice: The net is set at 34", lower than tennis, and the paddles we play with are solid (composite, graphite, or wood). It is easier to hit the ball where you want it to go in pickleball. We play with a 3" plastic ball similar to a wiffle ball.If you play any sports: You can learn pickleball in less than 5 minutes and start having great rallies, good exercise, and a lot of fun.If you are a tennis player: Pickleball is faster and more fun than tennis. The rallies are longer than in tennis. It can even help your tennis game, especially at the net. The strokes are the same as tennis.

The History of Highland Lakes Pickleball Group

It has already been written about how Pickleball was invented by a U.S. Congressman from Oregon but nothing has been written how it started here at Highland Lakes.
It was introduced by George Hastings around 1993. He posted an ad in our small newsletter asking for people to come out and see what it was all about. As I recall myself and my wife Marie Falcon and Kathy Hart showed up. At that time we only had two courts with thin black lines that you could hardly see from the other end of the court. In time we were able to get better outline courts and were able to increase the courts to four. Through "word of mouth" and advertising we had full courts with as many as eight to ten people waiting to play. We devised a plan of "musical chairs" for people to move up in line to play. In time George Hastings moved back up north and others had to take up the banner of keeping Pickleball going. Our equipment at first was not great. Small thin poles to hold up a flimsy net. Through meetings with the Board of Directors and Reps of Tennis players (since they had an inside court) we were able to get the equipment that we have today. We can write about Pickleball but until you come out and see what it's all about and play it, you won't know just how much fun it is. Come on what are you waiting for?
Joe Falcon

Highland Lakes Pickleball

Sunday, March 29, 2009