The City of Aiken is exploring the option of adding pickleball to their summer camps being held June-August. What they need are volunteers to assist Mo Garcia in introducing the game of pickleball to the kids attending the weekly camps. If you think you would be interested in helping please contact Alison Cribb at 803 642-7648. Alison is the Recreation Program Coordinator for the City of Aiken Parks, Recreation, Tourism.
Aiken Pickleball News
It is still not too late for those of you that forgot to bring the paddle that you were going to donate to the social. Just leave them at the OW front desk with a note on it For Aiken Pickleball From (your name). We could still use a couple more Thanks.
Over fifty people attended the Spring Social. Mike Dickhart won the gift certificate for the one hour lesson with Mo, and Dale Haley won the one hour session for four with "Little Mo". After 6pm, over thirty players moved indoors to play pickleball. Thanks to Ben Lacy for providing the entertainment and Pat and Ron for organizing the food. And special thanks to Mo Sports for providing the door prizes. Hope everyone had a good time. See below for photos.
The minutes for the Leadership Team Meeting that was held Monday, May 3rd, 2021 at 5:30pm at Odell Weeks, have been posted. This was our first meeting without using Zoom in over a year. Topics that were discussed included an update on drop-in play at both Odell and Gregg Park; the New Players Clinics at both facilities; a call for volunteers to assist Mo with pickleball instruction for the kids' summer camps; and much more. Go to Forums or click here to see the full report.
Drills with "Little Mo" are coming back to Gregg Park. Starting June 11th, and every Friday evening thereafter, from 6-7 pm, until the middle of August.
Cost is $10 per person per session. Each session is limited to a maximum of eight players, minimum of three. Payment should be made at the Gregg Park front desk. The receipt must be given to the instructor at the time of the session. Nonmembers are welcome to attend but they must also pay a $10 daily facility fee. Click here to sign up.
Friday evenings at Gregg Park from 6 - 7 PM
June 11th - Return of serve
June 18th - Dinks with a purpose
June 25th - Half volley
July 2nd - Overhead smash
July 9th - 3rd shot drop
July 16th - Drive topspin volley
July 23rd - King/Queen of the court
July 30th - Drop, chip, drive
August 6th - Lobs
August 13th - Specialty shots
As part of our New Players Clinics at Odell and Gregg Park, we have been providing paddles for the newbies to use at the clinics. If anyone has a used paddle you would like to donate to this cause please bring it with you to the social on Friday or leave it at the front desk. Anyone donating a paddle at the social will receive an extra raffle ticket.
Make sure you get a raffle ticket when you arrive for the pickleball social this coming Friday. There will be two drawings. First drawing will be for a one hour private lesson with Mo - a $40 value. Second drawing will be for one hour for four players with “Little Mo” - priceless! Drawings will be at 5:50pm. You must be present to win. Tickets are free.
See below for an updated schedule for May and June for the Drills with "Little Mo" at Odell Weeks. No drills on May 26 and June 2, due to court and Little Mo's availability. All of the remaining drills are now available for signup. Revised schedule as follows:
May 5 - OW Court 1
915-1015am - 3rd shot drop
1045-1145am - 3rd shot drop
No evening drills - Odell closes at 1pm - Evening drill moved to May 12, at 6pm
May 12 - OW Court 1
915-1015am - drive topspin volley
1045-1145am - drive topspin volley
6-7pm - 3rd shot drop
7:30-830pm - drive topspin volley
May 19 - OW Court 1
915-1015am - King/Queen of the court
1045-1145am - King/Queen of the court
6-7pm - King/Queen of the court
Note: No drills May 26 or June 2
June 9 - OW Court 1
915-1015am - drop, chip, drive
1045-1145am - drop, chip, drive
6-7pm - drop, chip, drive
June 16 - OW Court 1
915-1015am - Lobs
1045-1145am - Lobs
6-7pm - Lobs
June 23 - OW Court 1
915-1015am - Specially shots
1045-1145am - Specially shots
Evening session cancelled - No pickleball after 5pm at Odell this date.
The Aiken Pickleball Mixed Doubles Ladder came to its final conclusion with a hard fought Round Robin. Christine Chandler and Brian Eberhard won the gold medal, winning all for their matches. Leslie McCowan and George Dazell won silver, and Michele Bullington and Bob Fogel took home the bronze. Well done. Special thanks to Chris Tubbs for organizing the Ladder and running the Round Robin. See photos and detailed results below.
Front Row L-R - Leslie McCowan, Christine Chandler, Michele Bullington
Back Rob L_R - George Dazlell, Brian Eberhard, Bob Fogel
Gold Medal Winners - Christine Chandler and Brian Everhard
Silver Medal Winners - Leslie McCowan and George Dalzell
Bronze Medal Winners - Michele Bullington and Bob Fogel
Gold Medal - Christine Chandler & Brian Eberhard 7-0
Silver Medal - Leslie McCowan & George Dalzell 6-1
Bronze Medal - Michele Bullington & Bob Fogle 4-3 (won head-to-head tie-breaker)
4th Place Marian Garcia & Rob Bromly 4-3
Maria Jones & Mike Wells 3-4
Judy Barniak & Ben Stephens 2-5
Barbara Dellemora & Jim Wheeler 2-5
Mike Dickhart & Jeremy McCoy 0-7
Following is a list of events taking place between now and the end of May.
Leadership Team Meeting at Odell, Monday, May 3, 530pm
Social at Odell Weeks Friday May 7, starts at 5pm
Odell Weeks New Players Clinic Saturday May 8, 915am-1215pm
Skill Rating Session, Smith-Hazel, Wednesday, May 19, 9am-12pm
Gregg Park New Players Clinic, Saturday, May 22, 9-11am
Gregg Park Practice Play, Saturday, May 29, 9-11am
Odell Weeks New Players Practice Play for May, exact date and time TBD
If you see anything that needs to be corrected, have something to add, or would like more information on any of the above, please email info@aikenpickleball.com. Thank you.