Aiken Pickleball News

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

 

 

 

The Pickleball with a Cop event scheduled for Friday, January 26 will be held RAIN OR SHINE! If the weather is good, the event will be held on the outdoor courts at Odell Weeks. If it's raining, it will move indoors to Gym 1. Let's all support our local public safety officers!

 

 

Thank you all for a great year!  Have a safe holiday.

              

 

It was previously announced that the outdoor courts at Virginia Acres Park would be closed this weekend.  That has changed, however, and the outdoor courts will be open this weekend.

 

Loretta, together with her husband Mike, were the founders of Pickleball in Aiken in 2010.  Loretta was the driving force behind offering free beginner clinics for the community. Loretta passed away on November 16, 2025. There is a bench honoring them both on the outdoor courts at Virginia Acres. Below is the link for Loretta's obituary and details on the planned memorial celebration. https://www.shellhouseriversfuneralhome.com/obituaries/loretta-beckner-nee-miller

The service will take place at St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church in Aiken, SC, on Saturday, December 13 at 2:00. For those who are unable to attend in person, the service will be live streamed at:  St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church – St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church. Once the link is opened, click "Watch Online" at the top of the page. Please join us in remembering Loretta and her legacy to Aiken Pickleball.

 

 

 

Aiken Pickleball, Inc. is hosting a  New Player Clinic indoors at the Gregg Park Civic Center on Saturday,  November 15th. 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

12pm - 1pm -  Practice Play

Players must register and pay in advance which can be done online at GreggParkonline.com.  Cost is $10 per person.  Non-members are welcome to attend but must also pay an additional  $10 daily admittance fee. 

Gregg Park ls located at 119 Trolley Lane Road, Graniteville, SC,  approximately five miles from downtown Aiken

 

The next New Players Clinic at Odell will be on Saturday October 4th.  The clinic is for people new to the game of pickleball.   Schedule as follows:  

930am  -  Check-in 

945 - 10 am - Court Set-up 

10 - 11 am  - Instruction 

11am - 12pm - Practice Play 

 

The clinic will include proper court position, how to keep score, how to make the transition from tennis and other racquet sports to pickleball and much more.   Maximum 8 players -  balls and paddles provided.   Players should wear tennis shoes and bring something to drink..  

 

Cost is $15 per person which includes the daily access fee. The clinic also includes a free ninety minute practice play session the following Saturday.  Sign up and pay at the Odell Weeks front desks to reserve your slot in advance.. Bring your receipt to the clinic.  

 

 

The minutes for the July Leadership Team Meeting held at Gregg Park on Wednesday July 9  have been posted.  Click here to read the full report 

 

Want to thank everyone that made tonights Groovy Tuesday a huge success - Especially Harve for putting it all together - Mo and the gang that assisted with the drills - Marian and her group that provided the pizza & drinks - and Christy for her delicious brownies. This was the first of four Groovy Tuesdays being held in April in celebration of National Pickleball Month. Thanks guys - your efforts much appreciated. 

 

 

The minutes for the Leadership Team Meeting held on June 5th have been posted. Go to Forums or Click here to read the full report.  

 

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