Aiken Pickleball News

March New Players Clinic

Please welcome Anna Kerstiers, Bart Zweigora, Cindy Little, Ginger Hudock, Doug Hudock and Samantha (Sam) Chesnee to Aiken Pickleball. The six of them just completed the New Players Clinic held by Ben Lacy on Saturday, March 19th. See photo below. Special thanks to Nelson Swartzentruber and Jim Poore (not shown) for assisting. And again, just to remind, from 10am-12pm, Mon-Fri, Court 1 is designated the beginners court. If there are lessons on court 1, court 2 is the beginners court.

L-R + Ben, Anna, Bart, Cindy,, Ginger, Doug, Sam, Nelson

March Gladness Pictures

A roving photographer wondered into the Gregg Park gym on Saturday and took a few pictures...https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1yI1OvHnOU0nWp_Q_sOeih2-upFEZ9YRz...

Aiken PIckleball Planning Survey Results Are In

Aiken Pickleballers

Our planning survey results are in with 88 responses to the survey!

Please have a look at the results here https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OjDrrammrt2mqFMafcrMXHGNgw19WyvR/view?usp=sharing

Below is a quick summary of the results, but please review the results for yourself.

The average PB player responding to the survey is about 67 years old and from Aiken County. Players have been playing pickleball for about 4 years, have been rated but doesn't really care about their rating.

Players get most of their information from the website, closely followed by emails and word of mouth.

On average players play 3-4 times a week either indoors or out. Odell Weeks is the primary location; Smith Hazel is not used much. Eustis Park is the second most used outdoor court.

Everyone loves to talk about PB. Aiken Pickleball events are supported either through participating or volunteering if convenient for players.

A majority of players are not interested in the USA PB association or activities that require certification.

Players spend little time working on their game and would rather just play. While open play is popular, reserving a court and playing with a group is the preferred option.

Most players are not that interested in participating in competitive play. This was the case at our most recent Round Robin, March Gladness with only 36% of players coming from the Aiken area.

Generally, the survey results indicated little interest in becoming an organized club.

Thank you to everyone that participated!

Aiken Pickleball

Minutes from the March 2022 Leadership Team Meeting have been posted

The minutes for the Leadership Team Meeting that was held Monday, March 7th, 2022 at 5:30pm at Odell Weeks, have been posted. Harve Mobley hosted the meeting. Topics that were discussed included the need for someone to volunteer to take over posting the calendar and signup genius; feedback from the recent members' survey: updates on the City Challenge and the Palmetto tournament in September; and much more. Go to Forums or click here to see the full report.

Great Fun at the March Gladness Round Robin

Aiken Pickleballers

An awesome time was had by all attending the March Gladness Round Robin at Gregg Park. Aiken 50 and over players swept the gold medals in the first ever March Gladness Mixed Doubles Round Robin. Bebe Murphy & Kim Herring (3.0); McKenzie Maggie & George Dalzell (3.5) and Cheryl Breidenbach & Harve Mobley (4.0).

For full results and photos click here...https://drive.google.com/file/d/17CWIrW9Dpyvq4BR4W7-b8Gh50Tu-WgDf/view?u...

March Skill Rating Session

The next Skill Rating Session will be on Monday morning March 21, at Smith-Hazel. Click here to sign up.

The minutes from the February Leadership Team Meeting have been posted

The minutes for the Leadership Team Meeting that was held Monday, Feb 7th, 2022 at 5:30pm at Odell Weeks, have been posted. Harve Mobley hosted the meeting. Our new player reps were welcomed - Leslie McCowan 3.5H, John McCowan 3.0H, Heidi Abele 3.5, and Jay Wilson 3.5L.

Topics that were discussed included the need for an additional 3.0H player rep; the appointment of a new Treasurer; request for a volunteer to maintain the Bulletin Board; our plans for 2022; updates on the March 5th RR; the City Challenge; the Palmetto tournament in September; and much more. Go to Forums or click here to see the full report.

February New Players Clinic

Please welcome Maureen Dunn, Sue Haberkost, Phillis Hoy, Elaine Johnston, Debbie Ostrofsky, Dorothy Sterns, Anne Waura, and Joe Waura to Aiken Pickleball. The eight of them just completed the New Players Clinic held by Mo and his trusted assistant Marian. And again, just to remind, from 10-1145 am Court 1 is designated the beginners court. See photo below.

From Left to Right Debbie Ostrofsky, Joe Waura, Anne Waura, Maureen Dunn, Elaine Johnston, Phillis Hoy, Sue Haberkost, Marian & Mo Garcia

(Dorothy Sterns not available for photo)

Interested in being a referee for the September tournament?

If so, contact Ben Lacy at benlacy1962@gmail.com for more details and to setup a training schedule.

January New Players Clinic

Please welcome Lynn Burkes, Allyson Haselman, Gail Flintom, Paula and Steve Brewer to Aiken Pickleball. The five of them just completed a New Players Clinic held at Odell Weeks Thursday by Mo and his trusted assistant Mariam. Just to remind, at 10am court 1 is designated the beginners court. See photo.

L-R - Mariam, Lynn, Allyson, Gail, Paula, Steve, Mo