Aiken Pickleball News

No Frills Open Play Round Robin - Women Only - August 7th

There will be a women’s social round robin on Saturday, August 7th, in gym 2 at Odell Weeks. You must have a partner to sign up for this event. Check-in and court setup will begin at 12:30pm. Play/warm-up will start at 12:45pm. Fixed partners - twelve teams - eight games - play to 11 win by 1. Three-minute breaks between rounds. No frills, no charge, no medals - just fun - everyone is a winner. Each team please bring one Onix Fuse orange ball. Click here to sign up on the wait list. You do not have to have a partner to sign up on the wait list.

On Saturday, August 21st, there will be a Men's Social Round Robin - same format - 12 teams. Sign up for that will be open o/a August 1st. More on that later.

Volunteers for the Palmetto Doubles Tournament

The Volunteer sign up list for the Palmetto Indoor Doubles Invitational Pickleball Tournament being held at Odell Weeks, September 9 - 12, is now available online at our Aiken Pickleball website under the Sign-Ups tab. Volunteers are needed for Venue set-up (2); Player check-in (20); Event desk (27); Court Monitors (63); Lunch Room (3); and Referees (24). Training will be held for Referees and Court Monitors.

A lunch will be provided for shifts that end or begin during lunch time. Volunteer t-shirts will be the same lime green shirt as those from previous years. Volunteers who want or need a shirt (or an additional shirt) this year need to indicate the size on the sign-up.

This tournament provides support to Aiken's local hotels, restaurants as well as new equipment for the pickleball community. The tournament will not function without volunteers, so please be generous with your time. Click here to sign up.

Good news! - You can sign up more than once. Thank you.

Stacey Dezelon

by Loretta Beckner

Stacey Dezelon, along with her husband, Rich, moved to Aiken in 2010 and lived here for 5-6 years before moving back to Maryland. Sadly, Stacey passed away on May 24th following a two year battle with cancer. She was 54 years old.

In 2010, the City PRT gave Mike and Loretta Beckner permission to hold a pickleball demo at Odell Weeks. Loretta met Stacey at a meeting and approached her about learning the sport of pickleball in order to play in the demo match. Stacey and Rich were not only enthusiastic about the idea, but they picked up the sport quickly. After helping the Beckners with the demo, they remained active players and supported the pickleball program as much as possible.

Stacey will be remembered for her fun, vibrant and caring personality. She will be missed dearly by all of us who were fortunate enough to know her. Rest in peace, Stacey.

Minutes for the June Leadership Team meeting have been posted

The minutes for the Leadership Team Meeting that was held Monday, June 7th, 2021 at 5:30pm at Odell Weeks, have been posted. Topics that were discussed included an update on drop-in play at both Odell and Gregg Park; the New Players Clinics at both facilities; an update on the tournament in September; and much more. Go to Forums or click here to see the full report.

Open Play

Great turnout on Monday. Normal rotation for open play is winners stay and split, losers sit. Winners sit after playing two games. When there are more than 6 players waiting, play to 9. When there is a large overflow like there was on Monday, please play to 9 and do four off, four on.