SaddleBrooke PickleBallers earn medals at world class venue

Andrea Molberg

SaddleBrooke Pickleball Association (SPA) was well represented March 3 through 6 at the thirteenth annual Duel in the Desert Pickleball Tournament, one of the top five Pickleball tournaments in the world and the largest Tier Two Club Sponsored Tournament. Palm Creek Golf and RV Resort in Casa Grande have outstanding facilities for this event.

“With 32 dedicated courts and four sunken medal courts for easy viewing (at the RV resort), well—it makes us envious,” said SPA’s Pete Giljohann, a tournament medal winner.

Giljohann commented that Pickleball is on a tremendous growth spurt with courts going up all over the southern Arizona area including our own SaddleBrooke Ranch with 24 new courts. Real estate developers know that the coming wave of retirees demand and desire all sorts of amenities – with Pickleball being at the top of the list. Similarly, on a recent survey, HOA 2 residents requested additional courts within SaddleBrooke.

Some SaddleBrookers participating at the Casa Grande world class venue were Gale Evans, Bill Stickney, Paul Frederickson, Frank Mucklo, Carol Osgood, Jill Duckett, Ed Sympruch, Tom Kruse and Bill and Kathy Jenson.

Five SaddleBrooke teams took home three Silver and two Gold Medals!

Mens Doubles Age Group 65 plus 3.0 Skill Level

Silver Medalists: Ken Powers and Randy Olson

Mens Doubles Age Group 65 plus 3.5 Skill Level

Silver Medalists: Bob Long and Jim Haakenson

Mens Doubles Age Group 65 plus 4.5 Skill Level

Gold Medalists: Mark Van Matre and Bob Koerner

Mixed Doubles Age Group 65 plus 4.5 Skill Level

Gold Medalists: Joan Van Matre and Bob Koerner

Mixed Doubles Age Group 50 plus 4.5 Skill Level

Silver Medalists: Diana and Pete Giljohann

Congratulations to all and well done! You make SaddleBrooke Pickleball proud.