In mid January, the week before Dink for Pink, the HOP is hosting its first HOP Academy clinic.  This three day session is limited to 24 participants.  Simone Jardin and Corrine Carr are the two visiting Pros.  Both are teachers by trade as well as comprising one of the best women doubles teams in pickleball.  The third pro, the HOP's head pro Jesse Simon, is also a teacher by trade.  

The content of the clinic will be adjusted to match the skill level of the players participating, so expect to work hard and get a lot out of the clinic.

Please click on the link below  for more information.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1ZcTsQnOhIEVOiEH5MWVTwhrBMGxNWXy2

In answer to the complaints we've received about the slippery floor in Gym 2, Odell Weeks is planning to swchedule one morning a month to do a deep cleaning. This will be more time-consuming than the regular morning cleanings and will rwquire that the gym be closed to pickleball until noon on those days. For December, that day will be the 31st, and for January it will be the 14th..  

Odell Weeks has given us some extra hours on Friday, December 21st.  Please see the calendar for details.  

Please join us for the Round Robin Slam on January 12, 2019. This event will be held at the First Presbyterian Church at 224 Barnwell Avenue NW in Aiken, SC. The cost for this event will be $5.00 per person. Please give your entry fee to Joyce Noland or Nancy Vermilye before January 10th, 2019. 

Sign-up: 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0a4aada929a7fa7-court2 

Divisions: 

4.0+ at 8:00 AM 

3.0 at 11:00 AM 

3.5 at 3:00 PM 

Players should check in for their events at least 15 minutes before start time.  

Formats: 

4.0/4.5/5.0 

You will play with a different partner each game. 

If there are 12 players in the division, you will play 11 games of 11 minutes each with 4 minutes of rest between games. The winner will be determined by games won with a tiebreaker of total points. 

If there are 8 players in the division, you will play 7 games of 11 minutes each with 4 minutes of rest between games. The four players who win the greatest number of games (with total points as a tiebreaker) will go to a playoff. 

3.0 and 3.5 

You will play 11 games of 8 minutes each with a different partner each game. There will be a 10-minute rest period between games. The top four players in each pool (determined by number of games won with total points as the tiebreaker) will go to the playoff round. 

George Buggs has taken the initial steps in providing a two-hour pickleball clinic at Eustis Park in 2019. Via the Recreation Commission, the Parks, Recreation, and Tourism (PRT) Department was informed of George's interest in expanding the game to the Northside community. The PRT Department supported George's idea and offered him use of Eustis Park's four pickleball courts.  

A subcommittee was created to further this goal of a clinic for folks (students and seniors) who are currently unexposed to the game, or may know about it but have not tried it. Mr. Buggs desires to have the clinic on the same day the new senior/youth center at Eustis park is formally opened. George has arranged to provide pickleball paddles, free of charge, to all 24 participants. Chuck Buchanan has agreed to provide a free ball to each participant as well. Mrs. Yolanda Monroe, a professional instructor and avid player, from New Jersey, has agreed to provide instruction for the assembled group of participants. She may be assisted by another player. Mrs. Monroe attended the last pickleball tournament at Odell weeks.

We hope all can find the final date set is compatible with their schedules. More than a few community leaders have expressed interest in this project.

Submitted by George Buggs