Mid-America
Indoor Pickleball Championships
BY JIM AND SANDY MCPHERSON , TOURNAMENT DIRECTORS
A major indoor tournament brings “ warmth ” to a chilly winter day as big-time pickleball comes to the South . Hot Springs , Arkansas , rolls out the carpet and will be host for the first annual Mid-America Indoor Pickleball Championships scheduled on March 24-26 . All matches will have referees as the event will be sanctioned by the USAPA . While the tournament is limited to the first 300 applicants , tournament directors Jim and Sandy McPherson reported that the facility can accommodate up to 50 courts in the future .
The host site will be at the beautiful Hot Springs arena amidst the beautiful Hot Springs National Park , Horse Racing , Casino and Bath House Row situated in the natural beauty of the Ouachita Mountains . The video at https :// www . youtube . com / watch ? v = JEVZcG8EGAo provides a small sample of what you can expect when you visit Hot Springs . Pickleball enthusiasts are outdoors people . Nestled in the Ouachita Mountains , Hot Springs , Arkansas , is an outdoor paradise . Here are some places to see and things to do for the ultimate outdoor enthusiast :
Lake Catherine is best known for its fishing opportunities . The lake is rich in bass , crappie , catfish , walleye and bream . Below the dam , there is great rainbow trout fishing . The lake ’ s marina provides boat and canoe rentals . Lake Catherine State
FROM THE USAPA
Park offers cabins and campsites , as well as guided hikes , boat tours , boat ramps , picnic areas , playgrounds , and more .
Lake Hamilton is one of the state ’ s most popular lakes . It features numerous resorts , condos , and homes . Tubing , jet skiing , and waterskiing are popular , as well as fishing and boating . National Park Duck Tours and the Belle of Hot Springs riverboat operate on Lake Hamilton . Garvan Woodland Gardens is located on a 210-acre peninsula on the lake and is accessible by boat .
Lake Ouachita is the state ’ s largest lake and one of the cleanest lakes in the country . Fishing , boating , sailing , and watersports are popular activities . Marinas , resorts and cabins dot the lake . Located on the eastern shore is Lake Ouachita State Park , offering cabins and campsites as well as hiking and biking trails , boat rentals , picnic areas , and more . The 36-mile Lake Ouachita Vista Trail is a popular destination among hikers and mountain bikers . The 38-mile Womble Trail , recognized by the International Mountain Biking Association as an “ epic ” ride , is located in nearby Mount Ida .
Hot Springs is home to two championship golf courses , both located at the Hot Springs Country Club and listed on The Natural State Golf Trail ( source : www . hotsprings . org ). Registration is now open at www . pickleballtournaments . com . Send your stories to magazine @ usapa . org . •
JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2017 | MAGAZINE 15