The Carlsons and Giljohanns
Pete Giljohann
Some of the top Pickleball teams from SaddleBrooke had a busy summer and lots of success. It’s amazing with the growth of pickleball how many tournaments there are all over the country. Someone with real desire, who is maybe a bit crazy, could actually play in a tournament every week all year long. Here are some of this summer’s results:
In Montrose, Colorado in early June, Joan and Mark Van Matre won silver in the 4.5 Mixed Doubles. Joan also won silver in the 4.5 Women’s Doubles with her partner Connie Guillory. In addition, Bob Koerner took home a Silver Medal in the 4.5 Men’s Doubles with partner Bill Mckee.
In the middle of June in Ruidoso, New Mexico George and Peggy Cobb from SaddleBrooke, who also are members of the Ruidoso Pickleball Club, hosted Brent and Nancy Carlson and Pete and Diana Giljohann. Brent and Nancy took the bronze medal in the 4.5 Mixed Doubles while Pete and Diana took the silver in that same division.
The silver medal in the 4.5 Womens Doubles went to Diana Giljohann with partner Susan Moore. Brent and Pete took the silver in the 4.5 Men’s Doubles.
Most of our members took off playing tournaments in July. The next big tournament was the USAPA Northwest Regional Tournament in Bend, Oregon. Quite a few SaddleBrooke players are from the Bend and Oregon area. Tom and Pam Kruse hosted Mark and Joan Van Matre. Carol Osgood from SaddleBrooke spends her summers in Bend and won gold in the 3.5 Women’s Doubles with partner Juli Goff. Joan Van Matre had a great tournament, taking home the gold in the 4.5 Women’s doubles with partner Kelsey Stulbarg.
Joan didn’t stop there. In early September the USAPA Great Plains Regional Tournament was held in Colorado Springs. These Regional tournaments are some of the top tournaments in the U.S.A. Joan Van Matre won a gold in the 4.5 Women’s Doubles 65 to 69 with partner Ramona Boone and also the gold in the 4.5 Mixed Doubles 60 plus with partner Owen Riss. Mark Van Matre won gold in the 4.5 Men’s Doubles 60 plus with partner Dan Jackson, plus a bronze medal in the 4.5 Mixed Doubles 60 plus with Penny Forgette.
And finally at the New Mexico games in September in Albuquerque, Joan and Mark Van Matre again won gold in the 4.5 Mixed Doubles. Mark won gold in the 4.5 Men’s Doubles with partner Steven Paull and Joan took gold in the 4.5 Women’s Doubles with Nancy Kane.
Many SPA (SaddleBrooke Pickleball Association) members kept busy this summer bringing home lots of medals. What an incredible season for Joan! Congratulations!