Aiken Pickleball News

Loretta Beckner

Loretta, together with her husband Mike, were the founders of Pickleball in Aiken in 2010. Loretta was the driving force behind offering free beginner clinics for the community. Loretta passed away on November 16, 2025. There is a bench honoring them both on the outdoor courts at Virginia Acres. Below is the link for Loretta's obituary and details on the planned memorial celebration. https://www.shellhouseriversfuneralhome.com/obituaries/loretta-beckner-nee-miller

The service will take place at St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church in Aiken, SC, on Saturday, December 13 at 2:00. For those who are unable to attend in person, the service will be live streamed at: St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church – St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church. Once the link is opened, click "Watch Online" at the top of the page. Please join us in remembering Loretta and her legacy to Aiken Pickleball.

Bench Dedication

In memory of Christy Pritchard (May 15th, 1954 - August 4th, 2025), API will dedicate a bench on the outdoor pickleball courts at Virginia Acres. The presentation will take place at 11:00am on Dec. 13th, 2025.

Christy was a member of the API leadership team as a 3.5 player representative and a supporter of many goodwill organizations as, Toys for Tots, Food Drives for the hungry, and a long-time advocate for children as Program Coordinator for Guardian ad Litem.

Please join us for the dedication.

Final Election Results for new API Board

On Monday November 10th, the current API Leadership Team met to vote on the new board governance. The following five members were elected by majority vote to serve on the API Board, starting January 1, 2026, for a period of two years: Jordyn Balba, Rochelle Bergren, Dean Cheatham, Nichol Gregory, and Chrissa Matthews This morning, the elected members for 2026-2028 confirmed their nominations and the Board positions were finalized.

Jordyn Balba – President

Chrissa Matthews – Vice President

Rochelle Bergren – Secretary

Dean Cheatham – Treasurer

Nichol Gregory – Board Advisory Representative

API would like to extend our gratitude to all who applied. The high caliber of talent within the Aiken community is evident. We are hopeful that everyone will collaborate to improve Aiken Pickleball for all members, in alignment with API’s mission statement,

Golden Harvest & Toys for Tots Charity Pickleball Event

Mike Howard will be collecting donations for Toys for Tots and Golden Harvest on Saturday - December 13th - between 12-3pm at the outdoor pickleball courts at Virginia Acres Park. Requesting donations of canned food items for Golden Harvest and or a new unwrapped toy in support of Toys for Tots for the Christmas holiday.

One ticket will be given to each person who donates five canned food items - three tickets for ten cans or more - and/or a toy - which will allow that person a chance to win "Pickleball With a Purpose" T-shirts with logos (Toys For Tots & Golden Harvest) and/or a new Friday pickleball paddle with cover per drawings to be completed during the event. You do not have to be present to win. All fourteen courts will be OPEN PLAY. -

What is Happening

Donation for Toys for Tots and Golden Harvest - Saturday December 13th - 12-3pm - at outdoor Pickleball CourtS Virginia AcreS Park

Help Desk

If you need help with anything, send an email to aikenpickleball@gmail.com and someone will get back with you.

We can help you with making and editing court reservations or adding your name to the "Looking for games" list, among other things. What we cannot tell you is the access code. That is for our use only. After 8 pm Wednesday evening, the Sign-up Genius is locked down, requiring an access code while the new time slots for the following week are being added. The signupgenius is then unlocked after 8 am Thursday morning and an access code is no longer required. But if you need help with anything else send an email to info@aikenpickleball.com and one of us will get back to you.

Minutes for the November Leadership Team Meeting

The minutes for the November Leadership Team Meeting held on Monday, November 10th, have been posted. Click here to read the full report.

Freaky Friday Oct 17

Aiken Pickleball sponsored yet another Fun Freaky Friday event held on October 17 from 6-7PM inside the Odell Weeks gymnasium.

Approximately 22 participants attended Freaky Friday, including two players who were brand new to the game! Those two individuals were treated to an hour of instruction on the basics of pickleball; from how to hold the paddle, to playing out a point and keeping score (which as we all know is the most difficult part of pickleball)!

The rest of the participants drilled various skills at five different stations. Afterwards everyone participated in a raffle for two prizes; a free lesson with Harve Mobley and a brand new paddle. Many enjoyed the cookies at the reception desk and a good time was had by all. Happy Halloween!

A special thanks to all the volunteers who coached the participants at each station and welcomed players at the reception table:

Players Rating Session

Players Rating Session - Contact Harve Mobley to schedule an individual rating appointment - pbharve333@gmail.com.

Court Etiquette

Please do not cross over another court while play is in process. This applies if you are moving on or trying to retrieve your stray ball. Let the players on their court return your Pickles. Sneaking behind them distracts the players facing you. Thanks.