2.5 Men’s Doubles, left to right: Charles Thomas, Ron Limoges (not shown) – Bronze; Steve Jacobs, Richard Borland – Gold; Bud Mottice, Don Richey – Silver
3.0 Men’s Doubles, left to right: Jon Bailey, Jim Schlote – Silver; Stan Fly, Len Gajeske – Gold; Not shown: Randy Olson, Tom Martin – Bronze
4.0+ Men’s Doubles, left to right: Bob Long, Bob Shelton – Bronze; Mark Van Matre, Bob Koerner – Gold; Ed Szympruch, John Tancock – Silver
3.5 Men’s Doubles, left to right: Larry Gray, Pat Barry – Gold; Gale Evans, Bill Stickney – Silver; Not shown: Drew Tucker, Bud Fairbanks – Bronze
2.5 Mixed Doubles, left to right: Melvyn and Susan Durchslag – Bronze; Patty Roberts, Mike Smith – Gold; Sandy McNabb, Bud Mottice – Silver
3.5 Mixed Doubles, left to right: George Cobb, Susan Deskovich – Bronze; Don and Linda Cornish – Gold; Linda Bailey, Jim Haakenson – Silver
3.0 Mixed Doubles, left to right: Gene Wakefield, Joni O’Brien – Silver; Paul Frederickson, Carol Osgood – Gold’ Susie Arnold, Randy Olson – Bronze
4.0+ Mixed Doubles, left to right: Bob Long, Jodie Koerner – Bronze; Joan VanMatre, Bob Koerner – Gold; Jackie Kline, Mark VanMatre – Silver
2.5 Women’s Doubles, left to right: Susan Frederickson, Fran Berman – Bronze Medalists Cathy Scott, Doreen Morgan – Gold Medalists; Christine Reiner, Ginny Jeronimus – Silver
3.0 Women’s Doubles, left to right: Nancy Richter, Julie Brown – Silver; Linda Deuel, Susie Arnold – Gold; Karol Jackson, Shirley McCarey – Bronze
3.5 Women’s Doubles, left to right: Cindy McNown, Linda Bailey – Silver; Tina Huber, Kathy Jensen – Gold; Mary Gajeske, Gail Campbell – Bronze
3.25 Women’s Doubles, left to right: Joni O’Brien, Jean Beyer – Silver; Jeanie Medema, Pat Tarr – Gold; Pat Morris, Carol Osgood – Bronze
The weather was good, the participants – great!
Three full days of Pickleball – in bed by 8:00!
Thus sang the SPA Tournament Directors, Diana and Pete Giljohann and Nancy Shelton at the completion of the tournament held February 19 to 21 at the SaddleBrooke RidgeView Courts.
76 teams participated in Men’s, Women’s or Mixed doubles categories, according to their USAPA skill level. The 118 participants played either a double elimination or round robin tournament format, depending how many teams were at a particular skill level. A bronze, silver and gold medal was awarded for each skill level in all three categories.
Steve Phillips, head referee, had help from many others to have a referee at each match, as well as line judges for the medal matches. The outstanding team of volunteer referees included Jim Haakenson, Brian Komar, Chris Jerman, Maude Ruffin, Bill Jensen, Gale Evans, Terry Jackson, Bob Koerner, Bob Long, Jacke Kline, Ken Powers, Carmela Pankey. Bob Kramer, Stan Strebig, Joe Rink, Paul and Susan Frederickson, Dennis and Jane Reisinger and Greg and Wendie Nelson.
The first matches began at 8:30 a.m. each morning with play continuing until late afternoon. The weather was perfect all three days, while registrar Lois Violanti and Jean Labovitch assisted Diana Giljohann with keeping the game and match scores posted. Lois Violanti, Wendie Nelson and Blake Benedict were the runners to the far courts, keeping the games moving and informing players of their next court assignment.
At the completion of play by each skill level, medal winners were announced by SPA President Shawne Cryderman and medals bestowed on each winner. It was an enjoyable experience for all involved.
