Janice Golden and Paul Frederickson
Julie Wagner and Lou Powers
Pete Giljohann
Gold, silver and bronze! SaddleBrooke Pickleball Association (SPA) was well represented at the fourteenth annual Duel in the Desert Pickleball Tournament at Palm Creek RV Resort in Casa Grande in early March. This year’s Duel in the Desert tournament played over four days had 518 participants and 690 matches. It is one of the largest tournaments in North America and the largest club sponsored tournament. With 32 dedicated pickleball courts and four sunken “medal courts” for viewing, Palm Creek resort also hosted the USAPA Nationals in November.
Two SPA teams earned gold. Julie Wagner and Lou Powers won every match, losing only two games in their Gold Medal Performance at the 4.0 level. Paul Frederickson teamed up with his Mixed Doubles partner, appropriately named Janice Golden from Gilbert Arizona. They also won every match and lost just one game on their quest for Gold.
In all, five SaddleBrooke teams took home one bronze, two silver and two gold medals:
Women’s Doubles Age Group 65 plus 4.0 Skill Level: Gold Medalists Julie Wagner and Lou Powers
Mixed Doubles Age Group 65 plus 3.5 Skill Level: Gold Medalists Paul Frederickson and Janice Golden
Men’s Doubles Age Group 70 plus 3.0 Skill Level: Silver Medalists Glen George and Jim Lorenz
Men’s Doubles Age Group 65 plus 3.5 Skill Level: Silver Medalists Randy Olsen and Paul Frederickson
Men’s Doubles Age Group 65 plus 5.0 Skill Level: Bronze Medalists Mark Van Matre and Bob Koerner
Congratulations to all and well done! You make SaddleBrooke Pickleball proud.