Shawne Cryderman Any SaddleBrooke resident is welcome to attend this introductory lesson. At the end of the intro lesson, participants will have the knowledge of the basics of the game and be encouraged to join SaddleBrooke Pickleball Association (SPA) and continue with the Assisted Play program. The only prerequisite or “must have” for the intro…
Tag: Pickleball
January 2021, Sports
Pickleball: Pickleball on the LPGA Tour
Nancy Dowell SaddleBrooke Pickleball Association Inc. (SPA) has many golfers among its members. In fact, pickleball and golf may be mutually beneficial. An article was published recently by Steve Eubanks, managing editor for the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) and New York Times best seller author, about one golfer who is finding different kinds of fun…
January 2021, Sports
Relishing Pickleball: Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them (Mistakes 3 and 4)
David Zapatka This 12-common-mistakes column began after playing with some very excited, highly motivated, new pickleball players at our community courts recently. After playing a couple games, this question was posed to me: “What should we do to improve and become 3.5 players?” Last month we reviewed the first two mistakes. This month we take a…
Front Page, February 2021
Tennis Shoes for the Homeless Program Tops 1,000
Jerry Fay A big thank you to the SaddleBrooke Pickleball Association (SBPA) and the SaddleBrooke Tennis Club for their generosity. Over the holidays they increased their donations, and now more than 1,000 pairs of gently used tennis shoes have been donated to the homeless since the program started in 2018. Currently the program is focusing…
January 2021, Sports
Pickleball Press: Board of Directors Election
Nancy Dowell The membership of SaddleBrooke Pickleball Association Inc. (SPA) recently voted to elect three members to the club’s board of directors. Board member, Gary Stevens was re-elected and newly elected, Barb Palmeri and Jeff Grant will fill the other board spots. Continuing directors, Peter Giljohann, Sue Diericks, Ken Roberts, and Jonathan Bailey complete the…
January 2021, Sports
Northridge Dental Sponsors a Pickleball Court!
Nancy Dowell The SaddleBrooke Pickleball Association (SPA) is thrilled to announce that Northridge Dental, located in Catalina, has confirmed a donation to SaddleBrooke’s new Pickleball Complex. Their generous financial support will be acknowledged with a plaque on one of the pickleball courts. Family-owned Northridge Dental opened in 2004. The warm, modern, and inviting office provides…
January 2021, Sports
Relishing Pickleball: 12 Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them (Mistakes 1 and 2)
David Zapatka While playing at the IronOaks courts in Sun Lakes for my first time last month, I ran into a group of very excited, highly motivated, new pickleball players. We played a couple games together and when we departed, this question was posed to me, “What should we do to improve and become 3.5…
December 2020, Sports
Relishing Pickleball: Dink Responsibly
David Zapatka Often called the most important shot in all of pickleball, the dink is the critical shot aspiring players must learn to improve their game. The dink is a shot hit slowly and softly into the opponents’ non-volley zone as close to the net as possible. If the opponent hits this ball hard, it…
December 2020, Sports
Golf Cars of Arizona Sponsors a Pickleball Court!
Nancy Dowell SaddleBrooke Pickleball Association (SPA) is delighted to announce that Golf Cars of Arizona has committed to sponsoring a pickleball court. Their donation earns them a plaque on one of the courts at the new Ridgeview Pickleball Complex. The complex will consist of 14 courts, a ramada, restrooms, and parking. Planning and fundraising for…
December 2020, Sports
Pickleball Press: Amusing Pickleball Vocabulary
Nancy Dowell It does not take much to lighten the mood of a pickleball player. Put any one of us on a court and we will have fun. That is one of the very best aspects of the sport. We SaddleBrooke Pickleball Association (SPA) members make fun of ourselves at times and we certainly can…