The minutes for the Leadership Team Meeting that was held Wednesday, July 14th, 2021 at 4pm at Gregg Park, have been posted. Topics included what is happening at Odell and Gregg Park, an update on the tournament in September; and much more. Go to Forums or click here to see the full report.
Aiken Pickleball News
There will be a women’s social round robin on Saturday, August 7th, in gym 2 at Odell Weeks. You must have a partner to sign up for this event. Check-in and court setup will begin at 12:30pm. Play/warm-up will start at 12:45pm. Fixed partners - twelve teams - eight games - play to 11 win by 1. Three-minute breaks between rounds. No frills, no charge, no medals - just fun - everyone is a winner. Each team please bring one Onix Fuse orange ball. Click here to sign up on the wait list. You do not have to have a partner to sign up on the wait list.
On Saturday, August 21st, there will be a Men's Social Round Robin - same format - 12 teams. Sign up for that will be open o/a August 1st. More on that later.
The Volunteer sign up list for the Palmetto Indoor Doubles Invitational Pickleball Tournament being held at Odell Weeks, September 9 - 12, is now available online at our Aiken Pickleball website under the Sign-Ups tab. Volunteers are needed for Venue set-up (2); Player check-in (20); Event desk (27); Court Monitors (63); Lunch Room (3); and Referees (24). Training will be held for Referees and Court Monitors.
A lunch will be provided for shifts that end or begin during lunch time. Volunteer t-shirts will be the same lime green shirt as those from previous years. Volunteers who want or need a shirt (or an additional shirt) this year need to indicate the size on the sign-up.
This tournament provides support to Aiken's local hotels, restaurants as well as new equipment for the pickleball community. The tournament will not function without volunteers, so please be generous with your time. Click here to sign up.
Good news! - You can sign up more than once. Thank you.
by Loretta Beckner
Stacey Dezelon, along with her husband, Rich, moved to Aiken in 2010 and lived here for 5-6 years before moving back to Maryland. Sadly, Stacey passed away on May 24th following a two year battle with cancer. She was 54 years old.
In 2010, the City PRT gave Mike and Loretta Beckner permission to hold a pickleball demo at Odell Weeks. Loretta met Stacey at a meeting and approached her about learning the sport of pickleball in order to play in the demo match. Stacey and Rich were not only enthusiastic about the idea, but they picked up the sport quickly. After helping the Beckners with the demo, they remained active players and supported the pickleball program as much as possible.
Stacey will be remembered for her fun, vibrant and caring personality. She will be missed dearly by all of us who were fortunate enough to know her. Rest in peace, Stacey.
The minutes for the Leadership Team Meeting that was held Monday, June 7th, 2021 at 5:30pm at Odell Weeks, have been posted. Topics that were discussed included an update on drop-in play at both Odell and Gregg Park; the New Players Clinics at both facilities; an update on the tournament in September; and much more. Go to Forums or click here to see the full report.
Great turnout on Monday. Normal rotation for open play is winners stay and split, losers sit. Winners sit after playing two games. When there are more than 6 players waiting, play to 9. When there is a large overflow like there was on Monday, please play to 9 and do four off, four on.
REFEREES WANTED! Are you Interested in being a volunteer referee at Aiken’s Palmetto Doubles Tournament September 10 -12? Willing to help the referees but don’t want to be a referee? If so, please let David Hoel know (davidfhoel@gmail.com). Training sessions will be provided. Certification or previous referee experience is not required.
There is some misinformation going around. Someone told a team to leave their nets up even though nobody is scheduled after them because the nets are getting worn. While this may be the case, maintenance is unable to clean the floors properly when nets are left up. Please make sure all nets are removed at the end of each day. Thanks!
Select "Read more" to see "What's happening in June"
June 1 - Registration opens for the. Palmetto Tournament in September. For more information, go to http://aikenpickleball.com/2021Tournament.
June 2 -- Registration opens for the mixed doubles round Robin to be held at Gregg Park on July 17. For more information, go to https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0a4aada929a7fa7-october
June 7 - Leadership Team Meeting - 530pm at Odell - Click here to read the minutes from the meeting.
June 11 - Drills with Little Mo start at Gregg Park - Friday evenings from 6-7 pm. Click here to sign up.
June 12 - New Players Clinic at Odell - Call the front desk at 803 642-7631 to reserve a slot.
June 16 - No indoor pickleball at Odell
June 19 - New Players Clinic at Gregg Park - Click here to sign up
June 26 - Round Robin at Odell - Click here to sign up.
June 28 - Skill rating session at Smith-Hazel - Click here to sign up
Other items -
Pickleball at Smith-Hazel is only available on Monday mornings for all of June and July because of kids summer camps.
Eight (8) outdoor lighted pickleball courts now available at Virginia Acres Park located behind Odell Weeks.
No evening play at Odell on Tuesday and Thursday.
Because of summeer camps, there will be no weekday play at Gregg Park - June 21-24; June 28- July 1; July 19-22; and July 26-29.
Due to scheduling, there will be no Drills with “Little Mo” for the next two weeks. “Little Mo” returns to Odell on Wednesday, June 9, with “Drop, Chip, and Drive”. Then no drills on Wednesday, June 16th. “Lobs” and “Specially Shots” move to 23 & 30 June, No evening drills on either day.
Good news - Drills with “Little Mo” start up again at Gregg Park on June 11th, every Friday from 6-7pm.