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Aiken Pickleball News
Women's 3.0 Division
Gold (center) – Judy Degregorio and Debbie Rossetti
Silver (left) – Linda Bourbeau and Aimee Harwick
Bronze (right) – Bebe Murphy and Jan Snipes
Women's 3.5 Division
Gold (center) – Amy Buck and Sally Serago
Silver (left) – Tanya Hoffman and Savannah Price
Bronze (right) – Kathy Giddings and Rita Turner
Men's 3.0 Division
Gold (center) – Davion Bellinger and Chuck Harvey
Silver (left) – Tony Kemper and Steve Schnitzer
Bronze (right) – Cesar Paraiso and Andrew Stivanson
Men's 3.5 Division
Gold (center) – Mark Giddings and Andrew Escobar
Silver (left) – Andrew Hughes and Ryan Keeley
Bronze (right) – David Honea and Doug Weiss
Men's 4.0 Division Winners
Gold (center) – Brandon Hoffman and Chris Tubbs
Silver (left) – Doug Boessneck and Harve Mobley
Bronze (right) – Brian Eberhard and Bob Fogle
The minutes for the Leadership Team Meeting that was held Monday, Nov 1st, 2021 at 5:30pm at Odell Weeks, have been posted. New player reps were introduced - Steve Haertel for Gregg Park; Tonya Hoffman 3.5H, and Froggie Rappoport 3.5L. Topics that were discussed included Leadership Team upcoming vacancies and a request for nominees; update on the floor maintenance at Odell Weeks; the OW New Players Clinics; status of curtain repair at Gregg Park; the return of "Little Mo" in January and much more. Go to Forums or click here to see the full report.
What's a little rain to a group of determined pickleball players? Click here to watch!
Six weeks ago twelve intrepid and competitive 2.5 players (yes, competitive, as that spirit transcends level) began a journey. The goal: education and new experiences to up their games. The finale: a 2.5 Learn The Ropes Tournament.
Six teams were created by drawing names from a brown bag. The teams had that six-week period to play together. To do so they would have to work the Aiken Pickleball website system to reserve courts and contact each other for practice sessions. To help with the process instructor Ben Lacy created two clinics, one on team building and the other building skills in the kitchen.
On October 16th the teams played a round robin and one could not help but notice the determination each player brought to the game. The tournament was lifted yet another level by the inclusion of referee trainees rounded up by Ben. Tony Kemper, Mark Giddings, Booker Paige and Davion Barry Bellinger were courtside making calls, in the process educating the players on various rules. It was a win/win situation for players and refs.
So who won?
Everyone who took part deserved a gold medal considering the nature of how teams were created and the whole-hearted commitment of all players. If you were to ask these players how it went the first thing our of their mouths might be a what they gained from the journey as players … but even more than that the comradery found in working towards a common goal.
That said:
1st Michael Sasnow and Donna Brisbin
2nd Kevin Curran and Marcia Gable
3rd Mary Curran and Pinkie Johnson
4th Wendy Russell and David Stinson
5th Susan Birt and Karen Pifer
6th Carl Withers and Martha Hartline
Congratulations!
Special thanks to Claudia Delorme who put this all together.
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Players with court reservations can now also do drop-in play on the same day. Please note that from 9-10am play is mixed levels. At 10am, play is court designation. With all six courts - Ct1 - 3.0L and below; Ct2 - 3.0-3.0H; Ct3 3.0H-3.5L; Ct4 - 3.5; Ct5 3.5H; Ct6 4.0+ When Mo is on court 1 giving lessons, court dessignation is as follows: Lessons - court 1 - Ct2 - 3.0L and below; Ct3 - 3.0 & 3.0H; Ct4 3.5L-3.5; Ct5 3.5-3.5H; Ct6 4.0+
We just finished a new players clinic this morning at Odell Weeks where seven (7) players were introduced to pickleball. Please welcome Don & Karen Williams, Pat Runewitsch, Nancy Benson, Sheri & Bill Gibson and Tom Slack to Aiken Pickleball.
If you see these newbies or anyone else standing around looking lost, please help them..
The following words of wisdom are from Daniel J. Howard, a pickleball professional, entitled "Show Grace" It was recently posted on our Facebook page. Please take the time to read.
New players at your courts?
Be kind and include them. Show them the ropes of how you do things at your courts. Help them with the rules. Maybe gently offer some basic advice on how to play and where to move. Do not over-coach, but be willing to teach them what they need to know to want to stay with the game.
Weaker player shows up and wants to play?
Gently explain the alternative options for lower level play times (hopefully they are available), maybe even after you have included them in a game or two. Do not make them feel badly for wanting to be there.
You are the weaker player who is asked to play at another time or on lower level courts?
Accept that maybe the other players didn't intend to hurt your feelings. Make it a point to improve your game and re-join the stronger group in the future. Do not take it personally.
Your opponent makes a poor call?
Question it without being offended and if they confirm the call, let it go. Accept it and move on. Do not continue to argue or throw a tantrum.
Stronger player declines to play with you or your group?
Roll with it. Understand that he or she may have a number of other reasons for declining. It's quite likely it's not because they think you or your kids are ugly, okay? Let the water roll off your back. Do not accuse them of being a bad person or gossip about them to all your friends.
THAT GUY shows up?
Ugh. I know. I get it. I know him too. Do not roll your eyes and mutter and complain. Just show him some grace.
Show grace to your fellow man and woman and pickleball players. Wherever you go and whatever you do within the world of pickleball, remember to show grace.
Update: A Public Input Sessions will be facilitated on Tuesday, November 9th from 5:30 – 7:00 pm at the Lessie B. Price Aiken Senior & Youth Center, located at 841 Edgefield Avenue NW.
Your attendance is encouraged! Please share with family, friends, coworkers.
The City of Aiken, Park, Recreation and Tourism (PRT) is undertaking the process to develop an updated Master Plan, starting first with a Needs Assessment.
Conducted through our contracted partner, Clemson University Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, Dr. Bob Brookover has helped us develop a survey to field responses from the community about our facilities, programs, and other services in the City of Aiken. Designed to take less than 15 minutes, the survey link is open as of September 27th, 2021 and will remain live until at least October 22nd, 2021, provided a useful data set is gathered. Please use this link to access the survey directly: https://www.cityofaikensc.gov/prtnas. This Master Plan will have a direct inpact on Aiken Pickleball, as it should include more courts.
The September 25, New Players Clinic at Gregg Park has been cancelled as only one person signed up. Need a minimum of three. The next New Players Clinic at Gregg Park is scheduled for Saturday, October 16th. Click here to sign up
Starting Tuesday, September 28th, Drop-in play will expand to all six courts on weekdays. Schedule as follows: 0900-1000 - Drop-in play - mixed levels; 1000-1200 - Drop-in play - Court designation - Court 1 - 3.0L and below; Court 2 - 3.0-3.0H; Court 3 - 3.0H-3.5L; Court 4 - 3.5; Court 5 - 3.5H; Court 6 - 4.0+. No drop-in play on Monday, September 27th - as courts are closed until 11am.
. If you haven't been rated, now might be a good time. Next rating session is Monday, October 18th. Click here to sign up.