DATE: Wednesday January 7th, 2009
TIME: 3:30 PM
PLACE: Sonora Room South
Our first meeting of the season was held on November 12th
Highlights of the meeting:
Our club president Tom Gearhart welcomed everyone back and warmly welcomed new members
Reading of the minutes from the last meeting were waived
Duane Miller, Vice President, in the absence of our treasurer Joyce Staffen, provided the treasures report
Donna Christiansen, Secretary, asked everyone to check their contact information on the club roster. This includes updating site numbers and e-mail addresses
Mike Harris will once again be in charge of court maintenance, members were encouraged to contact Mike if they see issues that need to be addressed
Jeanne Gearhart will once again be the chair person for Round Robins. A member requested that a “Singles” Round Robin be added to the court play schedule. The board acted quickly in approving this and Jeanne has already added this new Mixed Singles Round Robin to the court play schedule.
If you signed up for a round robin and your schedule changes, please erase your name and write in the name of the first alternate, than cross that person off as an alternate
Everyone who signs up for a round robin including alternates, should arrive at least 10 minutes before the round robin and see the round robin “Captain” immediately to be signed in and pay your 50 cents. This will allow the games to begin on time. If you are late don’t expect to play
Tom Gearhart discussed court etiquette, as he does at every meeting, reminding players to pick up the ball instead and hand it to another player instead of hitting it from ground level with your paddle. Be aware when entering or leaving a court of other teams playing and wait for an appropriate time to enter or leave
Tom also discussed social play and round robins. He requested that all players monitor themselves and play at the appropriate skill level. It is more fun for “everyone” if they play at their appropriate skill level. You can gage how you are doing by the number of points you have at the end of a round robin. If you consistently have 11 points it very well be time to move up, if you consistently at the low end it may be time to move down.
A member raised an excellent point “there is no glory in consistently hitting the ball to the weaker player”. It is not fair to the better player who doesn’t get to play; also better players should hit the ball to help improve the weaker players game “not put the ball away”. This of course does not apply to tournament play, where just the opposite is how the game should be played
Vance Christiansen and Bob Sester are running the “Shoot-Outs”. Vance advised the members to disregard everything Tom said when it comes to shoot-outs. Twice a week players have the opportunity to be most competitive. This is only event where players are actually ranked and their skill level determines who they play against and on what court. Vance and Bob are both available to explain the ranking details etc.
Rosemary Reese was introduced as the author of this Blog Spot. Be sure to check the photo album link on the upper right side of this blog, you very well may see yourself
Ken Reese and Rosemary Reese were introduced as this year’s Tournament Directors for both our “In House Tournament” and the “6th Annual Palm Creek Tournament where players from all over the state come to compete.
Ken Reese advised that updated information on upcoming tournaments is on the tournament boards and will be updated throughout the season. For up to the minute information you can always check http://www.uspa.org/.
Ken Reese and Rosemary Reese were also introduced as the new ambassadors for the USAPA from Palm Creek. Ken talked about the benefits of joining this organization that continues to make our game both better and more popular around the country. Several members picked up applications after the meeting
Tom told us about the defibrillator that is in the shed. Mike Jenning’s is certified to use the equipment and offered to do a demonstration on the ease of use prior to a busy round robin so that players can see how this operates. Players who are interested are encouraged to take the certification course when given by Palm Creek
A grand entrance was made by “Pickleball Patti” our new club mascot was warmly welcomed, Larry Pazier will be her voice this year. See blog below.
The meeting was adjourned
Following the meeting we had great food brought by our members and a lot of socializing. See updated pictures in our photo album.
Nancy Brentano - Lynn Carlson - Tom Gearhart - Al Hager - Mike Jennings
Duane Miller - Ken Reese - Willie Repp - Jerry Winter
This has been quite the summer, a group of us from Palm Creek stayed at Eagle Nest RV park, which has 2 pickleball courts. We also traveled to Vance and Donna's home in Whitefish on a regular basis to play on their private court.
We not only had a great time playing pickleball, we aslo went boating, golfing, bowling, played ladders. Of course there was time just playing tourist - Visiting Glacier National Park, touring the town of Big Fork, the Cherry Festival, we went to a concert on the bay we went to the movies to see " Mama Mia" and to the local playhouse to see " In the Groove" What we did most of was EAT! Everyone took a turn cooking for the "group" and we went to numerous restaurants with the group. On seperate occaisions we celebrated Birthdays, those of us who turned a year older while we were here were Ken Bacon, Sandi Feller, Tony Calandrillo and Rosemary Reese
The players: Ann and Steve Arthur, Donna and Vance Christiansen, Sandi Feller, Karen and Roger Fellows, Jeanette and Mike Harris, Vera and Radek Loskot, Carmela and Larry Pankey, Rosemary and Ken Reese and Orla Wanless and former Palm Creek Residents Pat and Ken Bacon and Elaine and Tony Calandrillo.
Photos of this trip have been added to the Pickleball photo alblum - see menu on right
A fun weekend was had by all. Palm Creek had a great turn out of players and spectators.
THANK YOU, doesn't really express our appreciation to all the volunteers who spent numerous hours to make our tournament a success.
Palm Creek teams once again demonstrate that they are formidable opponents
Click on Photo for additional pictures
Congratulations to our medal winners:
Natalie Aaron, Steve Arthur, Nancy Brentano, Lynn Carlson, Donna Christiansen, Don Conroy, Keith Darrow, Mike Deaton, Mary Duncan, Tom Earley, AJ Fraites, Jeanne Gearhart, Tom Gearhart, Mike Harris, Mike Jennings, John Jetelina, Doug Kant, Wayne Kennedy, Jerry Logeman, Radek Loskot, Vera Loskot, Duane Miller, Larry Peterson, Bob Sester, Audrey Sobota, Ferd Sobota, Dennis Stach and Jerry Winter.
For complete list of medal winners click on link below:
http://www.usapa.org/.
A special note of thanks to the Tennis Club for lending us their courts for this event!