Aiken Pickleball News

Welcome New Players

We just finished a new players clinic this morning at Odell Weeks where seven (7) players were introduced to pickleball. Please welcome Don & Karen Williams, Pat Runewitsch, Nancy Benson, Sheri & Bill Gibson and Tom Slack to Aiken Pickleball.

If you see these newbies or anyone else standing around looking lost, please help them..

The following words of wisdom are from Daniel J. Howard, a pickleball professional, entitled "Show Grace" It was recently posted on our Facebook page. Please take the time to read.

New players at your courts?
 
Be kind and include them. Show them the ropes of how you do things at your courts. Help them with the rules. Maybe gently offer some basic advice on how to play and where to move. Do not over-coach, but be willing to teach them what they need to know to want to stay with the game.

Weaker player shows up and wants to play?
Gently explain the alternative options for lower level play times (hopefully they are available), maybe even after you have included them in a game or two. Do not make them feel badly for wanting to be there.

You are the weaker player who is asked to play at another time or on lower level courts?
Accept that maybe the other players didn't intend to hurt your feelings. Make it a point to improve your game and re-join the stronger group in the future. Do not take it personally.

Your opponent makes a poor call?
Question it without being offended and if they confirm the call, let it go. Accept it and move on. Do not continue to argue or throw a tantrum.

Stronger player declines to play with you or your group?
Roll with it. Understand that he or she may have a number of other reasons for declining. It's quite likely it's not because they think you or your kids are ugly, okay? Let the water roll off your back. Do not accuse them of being a bad person or gossip about them to all your friends.

THAT GUY shows up?
Ugh. I know. I get it. I know him too. Do not roll your eyes and mutter and complain. Just show him some grace.

Show grace to your fellow man and woman and pickleball players. Wherever you go and whatever you do within the world of pickleball, remember to show grace.

The City of Aiken Master Plan

Update: A Public Input Sessions will be facilitated on Tuesday, November 9^th from 5:30 – 7:00 pm at the Lessie B. Price Aiken Senior & Youth Center, located at 841 Edgefield Avenue NW.

Your attendance is encouraged! Please share with family, friends, coworkers.

The City of Aiken, Park, Recreation and Tourism (PRT) is undertaking the process to develop an updated Master Plan, starting first with a Needs Assessment.

Conducted through our contracted partner, Clemson University Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, Dr. Bob Brookover has helped us develop a survey to field responses from the community about our facilities, programs, and other services in the City of Aiken. Designed to take less than 15 minutes, the survey link is open as of September 27th, 2021 and will remain live until at least October 22nd, 2021, provided a useful data set is gathered. Please use this link to access the survey directly: https://www.cityofaikensc.gov/prtnas. This Master Plan will have a direct inpact on Aiken Pickleball, as it should include more courts.

New Players Clinic at Gregg Park

The September 25, New Players Clinic at Gregg Park has been cancelled as only one person signed up. Need a minimum of three. The next New Players Clinic at Gregg Park is scheduled for Saturday, October 16th. Click here to sign up

Weekday Drop-in Play expands to all six courts

Starting Tuesday, September 28th, Drop-in play will expand to all six courts on weekdays. Schedule as follows: 0900-1000 - Drop-in play - mixed levels; 1000-1200 - Drop-in play - Court designation - Court 1 - 3.0L and below; Court 2 - 3.0-3.0H; Court 3 - 3.0H-3.5L; Court 4 - 3.5; Court 5 - 3.5H; Court 6 - 4.0+. No drop-in play on Monday, September 27th - as courts are closed until 11am.

. If you haven't been rated, now might be a good time. Next rating session is Monday, October 18th. Click here to sign up.

Tuesday and Thursday evenings - Outside Open play at Odell Weeks

Looking for an opportunity to play pickleball in the evening? Outside open play at Odell Weeks on Tuesday and Thursday is the place to be. Weather permitting, come join the group at 6pm on Tuesday and Thursday evenings as the summer heat abates. There are eight (8) courts, the lights are working and no sign up is required.

Skill Rating Session - September 20th - Cancelled

The Skill Rating Session scheduled for Monday, Septmber 20th, has been cancelled. Next scheduled session is Monday, October 18th, at Smith-Hazel. Click here to sign up.

Need a minimum of three players to have a rating session.

Palmetto Tournament Results and Photos

Click here to see match results. Aiken players won a total of 27 medals (8 gold; 7 silver, 12 bronze) in 24 events Click here to see photos. Click here to see photos that can be downloaded..

Our heartfelt thanks goes to Larry Gleason for the many hours he spent taking and processing these photos.

Saturday Open Social Round Robin - October 9th

Twenty-five player participated in the Saturday Open Social Round Robin - held at Odell Weeks this afternoon. Play was eight games with a different partner each game. Everyone that played won at least one game. Even more important, everyone had a good time. Basketball seasons starts at Odell in November, so it will probably be February before we are able to do this again, as there will be no weekend indoor play at Odell the next couple of months.

In the meantime, there is still room in the November 6th, Round Robin at Gregg Park for Men & Women 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 divisions. You do not have to be a member of Gregg Park to play. Click to sign up.

To all the Volunteers

What a tournament! I heard so many positive remarks about how smoothly things ran and how organized we were. Thanks to all of you for your time and energy in making this tournament a great success. Robert Fogle, Tournament Director

Click here for an article in the Aiken Standard

Meet our latest instructor - Ben Lacy

Ben is a professional coach certified by the Professional Pickleball Registry and is currently in training to become a USAP Certified Referee. Starting after the Palmetto Tournament, Ben will be giving lessons at Smith-Hazel Recreation Center on most Mondays and Wednesdays from 9am - 12pm. You can reach him at benlacy1962@gmail.com to schedule a session. See photo and complete bio below.

Ben Lacy was born in Naples, Italy in 1962 to a US Air Force father and stay-at-home mom. Military life took him around most of the United States early in life, but he lived mostly in the southeast (Georgia and Alabama).

After a 10-year stint in the US Navy as a nuclear plant operator, Ben settled in Aiken, SC, where he now resides with his loving wife, Jillian Ashworth and their numerous canine companions. After earning a BS in Nuclear Engineering, Ben spent 25 years as a contractor to the Department of Energy, working most of that time as a nuclear engineer.

Jill and Ben have three children (Alden Nead, Brent Lacy, and Nolan Lacy).

Since retiring from engineering, Ben spends much of his time either playing, coaching or refereeing pickleball, performing live music, and traveling around North America with Jill and the pups in their Airstream. Ben also enjoys writing and has published one novel (Shattered Diary) and one collection of short stories (Tales Best Consumed In The Light) both on Amazon.