Aiken Pickleball News
Aiken Pickleball sponsored yet another Fun Freaky Friday event held on October 17 from 6-7PM inside the Odell Weeks gymnasium.
Approximately 22 participants attended Freaky Friday, including two players who were brand new to the game! Those two individuals were treated to an hour of instruction on the basics of pickleball; from how to hold the paddle, to playing out a point and keeping score (which as we all know is the most difficult part of pickleball)!
The rest of the participants drilled various skills at five different stations. Afterwards everyone participated in a raffle for two prizes; a free lesson with Harve Mobley and a brand new paddle. Many enjoyed the cookies at the reception desk and a good time was had by all. Happy Halloween!
A special thanks to all the volunteers who coached the participants at each station and welcomed players at the reception table:
API is a two-year-old tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Our intent is to promote the game of Pickleball and to provide competitive and social pickleball activities. Our responsibility as delineated in our MOU with the City of Aiken’s PRC is for the management and growth of Pickleball within the greater Aiken area which includes but not limited to; the annual Palmetto Tournament, the Aiken Area Social Pickleball League, social activities, scheduling for courts, player ratings and various Pickleball clinics.
Those interested in running for the Nov. 10 API Leadership Team elections should send an email to aikenpickleball@gmail.com. That email should include a brief resume about the nominee to include prior experience with pickleball and other qualifications.
We will elect a minimum of five people as board members. Members of the current API board and the Leadership Team members have voting rights. The term of office begins Jan. 1. Most Board Director positions are two-year terms, although some will be limited to a one-year term.
Ideal candidates should support API’s goals of promoting competitive and social pickleball activities. They should be willing to encourage sportsmanship and camaraderie and be able to work well with other board members. They should be of good character and operate with integrity and honesty. Duties include monthly meetings and occasional special meetings.
** All Board and Leadership positions within this organization are strictly volunteer and entirely non-compensated roles. Individuals serving in these capacities are driven solely by dedication to the organization's mission and objectives, with no financial renumeration, salary, or stipend provided for their service. The volunteer nature of these critical roles fundamentally affirms an organizational commitment to selfless service and mission advancement.
If you need more information, call Dean Cheatham at (760) 443-4379 or George Carr at (803) 507-4640.
The minutes for the November Leadership Team Meeting held on Monday, November 10th, have been posted. Click here to read the full report.
Congratulations to all the players that participated in our Palmetto Indoors Invitational Doubles Tournament July 31 - August 3. Two hundred thirty one registered players made this our most successful tournament ever. Special thanks to
the Tournament Committee (Joyce - Jay - Mo), the City of Aiken, our many sponsors and all the volunteers that made it possible. You guys and gals are the greatest. Gold - Silver - Bronze medal winners are as follows -
Men's Doubles Skill: (3.0) Age: (11 To 49)
Gold Medal
Tony Flowers
Jeff Stoutenburgh
Silver Medal
William Krueger
Ken Lido
Bronze Medal
Zachary Weaver
Stuart Boswell
Men's Doubles Skill: (3.0) Age: (50 And Above)
Gold Medal
Kenneth Hicks
Quentin Scott
Silver Medal
George Dearden
Gary Burns
Bronze Medal
Ward Richardson
Russell Crews
Men's Doubles Skill: (3.0) Age: (60 And Above)
Gold Medal
Mark Williams
Brian Marter
Silver Medal
Michael Colucco
Harry Draggoo
Bronze Medal
James Crowe
Richard Peterson
Men's Doubles Skill: (3.0) Age: (70 And Above)
Gold Medal
Lynn Bowers
Byron Hewitt
Silver Medal
Dr. Fred Jahad
Bill Hudson
Bronze Medal
David Leffler
Neil Walwyn
Men's Doubles Skill: (3.5) Age: (11 To 49)
Gold Medal
Mark Giddings
Elijah Slater
Silver Medal
Matthew Cook
Hunter Coleman
Bronze Medal
Felix Latorre
Robbie Tant
Mens Doubles Skill: (3.5) Age: (50 And Above)
Gold Medal
Jeremy Crow
Greg Whitaker
Silver Medal
Scott Talbott
Augusto Donatelli
Bronze Medal
Jose Gonzalez
Adolphus King
Mens Doubles Skill: (3.5) Age: (60 And Above)
Gold Medal
Jerry Harris
John Peters
Silver Medal
Scott Talbott
Paco Bogue
Bronze Medal
Jim DeCosta
John Mavromatis
Mens Doubles Skill: (3.5) Age: (70 And Above)
Gold Medal
Michael Howard
Mark Giddings
Silver Medal
Scott Mozley
Paul Miller
Bronze Medal
Myles Richard
Steve Petersen
Mens Doubles Skill: (4.0 And Above) Age: (11 And Above)
Gold Medal
Dylan Fahrbach
Davion Bellinger
Silver Medal
Greg Sparks
Brandon Johnson
Bronze Medal
Dennis Vermilye
Christian Walters
Mens Doubles Skill: (4.0) Age: (60 And Above)
Gold Medal
Mark Carter
Jeff Simizon
Silver Medal
Ronald Nelson
Mark Morgan
Bronze Medal
Jerry Mershon
Dwight Jones
Womens Doubles Skill: (3.0) Age: (11 To 49)
Gold Medal
Elizabeth Smith
Katherine Crumbaker
Silver Medal
Kelly Boswell
Jennifer Reddick
Bronze Medal
Rochelle Bergren
Stephanie Hollis
Womens Doubles Skill: (3.0) Age: (50 And Above)
Gold Medal
Lora Gillis
Jessica Yang
Silver Medal
Allie DeCosta
Cookie Gonzalez
Bronze Medal
Tracy Meink
Karen Burns
Women's Doubles Skill: (3.0) Age: (60 And Above)
Gold Medal
Marie Klofenstine
Andrea Motley Crabtree
Silver Medal
Diane Petersen
Debby Colucco
Bronze Medal
Peg Sharp
Nancy Racki
Women's Doubles Skill: (3.0) Age: (70 And Above)
Gold Medal
Mimi Borchers
Barbara Erndl
Silver Medal
Pamela Schaefer
Pam Thacker
Bronze Medal
Judy Walwyn
Sharon Richard
Women's Doubles Skill: (3.5) Age: (11 To 49)
Gold Medal
Jessica Lanier
Jeannette Hammers
Silver Medal
Amy Mitchell
Miriam James
Bronze Medal
Brittany Fahrbach
Catherine Toury
Women's Doubles Skill: (3.5) Age: (50 And Above)
Gold Medal
Jeanie Kirby
Loretta Rhodes
Silver Medal
Liz Malyszek
Alisa Dearden
Bronze Medal
Cindy Bogue
Lona Kelly
Women's Doubles Skill: (3.5) Age: (60 And Above)
Gold Medal
Jessica Yang
Brenda Kyzer
Silver Medal
Sherri Nelson
Jill Ross
Bronze Medal
Xinna Sheng
Victoria Miller
Women's Doubles Skill: (4.0 And Above) Age: (11 And Above)
Gold Medal
Holly Gilbert
Valerie Karrasch
Silver Medal
Tammy Pruitt
Amy Myers
Bronze Medal
Elliana Fahrbach
Lily-Rose Toury
Mixed Doubles Skill: (3.0) Age: (11 And Above)
Gold Medal
Terri Dunnigan
William Krueger
Silver Medal
Jessica Lanier
Allan Hickman
Bronze Medal
Saumya Patil
Jace Logue
Mixed Doubles Skill: (3.0) Age: (50 And Above)
Gold Medal
Cookie Gonzalez
Dr. Fred Jahad
Silver Medal
lynn Dominguez
Felix Latorre
Bronze Medal
Karen Burns
Jeff Stoutenburgh
Mixed Doubles Skill: (3.0) Age: (60 And Above)
Gold Medal
Jessica Yang
Kenneth Stevens
Silver Medal
Karen Trujillo
Jim DeCosta
Bronze Medal
Andrea Motley Crabtree
Bob Klofenstine
Mixed Doubles Skill: (3.0) Age: (70 And Above)
Gold Medal
Mirabelle Dickhart
Carlton Merriam
Silver Medal
Nancy Racki
Glen Jager
Bronze Medal
Judy Walwyn
Neil Walwyn
Mixed Doubles Skill: (3.5) Age: (11 And Above)
Gold Medal
Rebekah Slater
Elijah Slater
Silver Medal
Jennie Dodd
Tony Flowers
Bronze Medal
Brittany Fahrbach
Derek Fahrbach
Mixed Doubles Skill: (3.5) Age: (50 And Above)
Gold Medal
Sharon Stone
Augusto Donatelli
Silver Medal
Janalyn Elkins
Kip Elkins
Bronze Medal
Denise Hough
Jeremy Crow
Mixed Doubles Skill: (3.5) Age: (60 And Above)
Gold Medal
Miriam James
Josiah Rich
Silver Medal
Michelle Howery
Brian Howery
Bronze Medal
June Melton
Ronald Nelson
Mixed Doubles Skill: (3.5) Age: (70 And Above)
Gold Medal
Barbara Karahalios
Kenneth Porter
Silver Medal
Pat Truesdale
Byron Hewitt
Bronze Medal
Nancy Urban
Steve Petersen
Mixed Doubles Skill: (3.5) Age: (75 And Above)
Gold Medal
Barbara Dellamora
Alain Rossignol
Silver Medal
Nancy Benson
William Weeks
Bronze Medal
Caroline Popicg
David Berns
Mixed Doubles Skill: (4.0) Age: (11 And Above)
Gold Medal
Tammy Pruitt
Jerry Mershon
Silver Medal
Amy Myers
Dennis Vermilye
Bronze Medal
Allie Williams
Brandon Johnson
Mixed Doubles Skill: (4.0) Age: (60 And Above)
Gold Medal
Diane Miller
Paul Miller
Silver Medal
Amy Petersen
Bruce Patton
Bronze Medal
Kati Smallwood
Dwight Jones
Aiken Pickleball, Inc. is hosting a New Player Clinic at the Gregg Park Civic Center on Saturday, August 16th. In this clinic you will learn everything you need to get started playing the sport of pickleball. Please wear tennis shoes and bring something to drink. Balls and paddles provided. Class limited to eight. Cost is $10 per person. Schedule as follows:
1030 - 11am - Check-in at front desk
11am - 12pm - New Players Clinic Instruction
12 - 1pm - Practice Play
Players must register and pay in advance which can be done online at GreggParkonline.com or at the Gregg Park Civic Center. Cost is $10 per person. Non-members are welcome to attend but must also pay an additional $10 daily admittance fee.
Fee also includes attendance at a New Players Practice session on the following Saturday at Gregg Park. Non members will still be required to pay the Gregg Park $10 additional admittance fee.
There will be a Players Rating Session at Odell Weeks on Saturday March 29th. Sessions are free - sign up required.
To help prepare for the Palmetto Doubles Tournament being held at Odell July 31 - August 4, there will be a doubles strategy clinic on Friday evening June 28th from 6 - 7 pm. We are calling it Fabulous Friday as there is no evening play on Tuesdays between now and the tournament. The clinic is free and no sign up is required. The clinic is for 3.0 - 4.0 doubles teams that have registered for the Palmetto and everyone who is thinking about it even if you still need a partner. Schedule for the evening of Friday June 28th as follows.
4-6 pm - Open play for everyone - all six courts
6-7 pm - clinic on doubles strategy
7-830pm - Open play for everyone - Court designation
If you haven't already, find a partner and sign up for the tournament. Discount for early registration has been extended until June 15th. We also need volunteers for the check-in & event desks, raffle & silent auction and lots of court monitors. All of these positions come with an official T-shirt and a free lunch. A volunteer sign up sheet will be available at the clinic.
In the meantime players may now stay together with their partners during drop in play from now until the end of July.
Minutes for the May Leadership Team Meeting held on May 6 have been posted. Marcia Stivanson was introduced as our new secretary. Topics discussed - Court reservations - An upgraded version of the Sign up Genius was tested and it was decided we were better off with the version we a using; Groovy Tuesday - was so successful we decided to have another one on May 28th with a free clinic from 5-6pm on all six courts; Special Clinics for Pacer Life and Special Olympics were held in May; the final approval of our bylaws and much more. Go to the Forums page or click here to read the full report.
We had forty players for drop in play Monday morning. It was four on four off, play to nine and the games were fast and furious. The majority of you seemed to like the new paddle holders. Please give a special thank you to Bob Fogle for putting them together.
One comment several of you made - that with the four on - four off, you end up playing with the same players a lot. There were a couple of ideas but suggest the following as the easiest solution if you consider this a problem. After the game the winners place their paddles in the first available holder. The non-winners place their paddles in the next available holder leaving a gap of at least two paddle positions. This will guarantee a mix of play and the delay of getting to play again would be very small
Another solution was we all chip in and buy the old Bed and Bath building that is sitting vacant and convert it into a pickleball facility. But when a small convenient store in our local area sold for $4M that didn't seem too feasible. Let's enjoy what we have and thank you all for your cooperation. Much appreciated