Pickledilly News

New Days at Gregg Park

Many of you are already enjoying the indoor pickleball courts that have been added at Gregg Park Civic Center. We have some good news about this venue: Gregg Park will be adding two additional days of play in mid-March! Starting on February 12th, the weekly schedule will be as follows:

Tuesdays and Thursdays 10:30 – 11:30 AM – Drop-in play, mixed level on 4 courts

Tuesdays and Thursdays 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM – Drop-in play, court designation

Wednesdays 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM – Drop-in play, mixed level on 4 courts

Wednesdays 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM – Drop-in play, court designation

Saturdays 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM – Drop-in play, mixed level on 4 courts

Saturdays 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Drop-in play, court designation

Please see the calendar at aikenpickleball.com for details.

We hope all of you will consider giving this great new facility a try. It’s located on A Avenue in Graniteville, SC.

Below is the layout of the courts:

Pickleball Clinic at Eustis Park

The City of Aiken Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Department will be hosting a free pickleball clinic on April 6th from 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM to introduce the sport to a greater Aiken audience. To read more about this event, click here.

March Social and Player Meeting on March 19th

The next pickleball social will be held on Tuesday, March 19th, 2019 at 6:00 PM in room 3 at Odell Weeks. There will be a carry-in dinner with play on all six courts in Gym 2 afterward.

In conjunction with the social, we will have a player meeting at 5:00 PM in room 3 that same day. All players are welcome to attend. The leadership team will be present to address any questions or concerns you may have.

Why People Play Pickleball

The following was posted by Brandon Swanson on the Pickleball Forum. It’s good food for thought for all of us.

Some play just for fun. Stop encouraging them to play tournaments.

Some play for fitness. Stop telling them they have to play differently.

Some play to challenge themselves and play hard. Stop telling them to ease up.

Some play to improve and win tournaments. Stop telling them it’s just for fun.

Some people want to play with players their own skill level. Stop telling them to “give back to the sport.”

———————-

Find a like-minded group of players and enjoy the elements of the game YOU enjoy. Don’t try to change those around you to serve your own wants.

Talk to each other. Pickleball grew up overnight and I see us becoming a big dysfunctional family with an identity crisis.

We can be all these things! (listed above)

We can be tournament and festival. We can be family and competitors. Rivals and friends. Drop and drive.

Take a breath and let this sport shape itself around you. Let others know what you’re looking for.

Palmetto Doubles Invitational 2019

Save the date!

Palmetto Doubles Invitational Pickleball Tournament

Thursday, September 5th - Sunday, September 8th

Mark your calendars. Registration begins in May.

Volunteers are needed for sponsorships (contact list will be provided), photographer, and a volunteer coordinator. Call/text Jeff Beckner at (803) 215-0616 or Michele Bullington at (803) 599-8302.

What Is Pickleball?

Most of us have been asked the question "What is pickleball?" many times. Here's a good video to help you answer that question:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIsDAZxzwNU

Pickleball in Edgefield on Sundays

From Steve Miner

We are announcing a new Sunday session of pickleball at the Edgefield gym. We’re starting this Sunday, February 3, at 1 p.m. The Super Bowl kickoff is after 6:30 so you won’t miss the big game. Pickleball is the perfect pre-game activity.

It’s free. Beginners are welcome. We’ll teach you how to play.

Edgefield Town Gym, 380 Church Street, Edgefield, SC 29824

Please let me know if you’re planning to come. (steveminer@gmail.com)

Tournament at Wilson Family Y

From Anne Rheins:

Registration is now open for DRIVE DROP & DINK at the Wilson Family Y! Saturday, March 16th. 3.0 teams play at 8:00, 3.5s at 11:00 & 4.0s at 2:00.

9 teams per bracket. (MDS, WDS, MXDS all together in the same bracket.) Round Robin. Each team plays every other team in their bracket. Eight 11-minute games. $20 per player. All proceeds support our Y Annual Campaign. Social & Open Play Friday night 3/15. Flyer coming soon, but registration open now. Grab a partner and register at Wilson Y front desk or online at www.thefamilyy.org.

Play with the Teaching Pros

Starting on February 5^th, players will have an opportunity to play with the teaching professionals at Odell Weeks on Tuesday mornings from 9:00 – 10:00. Either Mo Garcia, Grace Vance, or Wojciech Adamek will be available on court 1 to play games and give feedback for the players. This is free of charge, so come out and join the fun.

Skill Rating Sessions for February and March

The next skill rating sessions will be held on Thursday, February 21st from 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM, and on Thursday, March 21st from 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Please contact Nancy Rogers at pball29803@gmail.com to schedule a time or Diane Voss at dvoss211@gmail.com with questions. If at least 4 people have not signed up for the February session by 2:00 PM on February 19th, it will be cancelled. The deadline for signing up for the March session is March 19th.