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