Association( SCPA) will work to develop, operate and manage pickleball programs, activities and events, to include tournaments, at this site. We believe that this pickleball facility will be the best in Georgia, one of the best in the southeast region of the U. S., and one of the best across the country.
We will strive to provide programming for youth and adults.
The benefits for youth are:
• Involve kids in positive activity.
• Contribute to kids’ health and well-being.
• Provide kids with aerobic activity, physical fitness and exercise.
• Enhance kids’ hand-eye coordination, and better develop their reflexes.
The following tournaments are planned so far... with the facility to open around June 1, 2017:
• On June 25, 2016, Bill Hess, Coordinator for the 2016 Georgia Games Pickleball Championship, announced that the 2017 State Games will be held at the Spalding County Pickleball Complex in June 2017.
• On July 9, 2016, Karen Parrish, USAPA Atlantic South( A-S) Region Director, informed me that the Spalding County Pickleball Complex has been selected as the site for the 2017 Atlantic South Regional Pickleball Tournament. The tournament is scheduled for October 2017. The A-S Tournament is one of the major tournaments in the nation. This tournament can draw 250- 350( or more) players, plus companions and spectators. The USAPA has eight regional tournaments across the country and a national tournament. In the past, the A-S Tournament has been held in Naples, FL; Concord, NC; and Mobile, AL. Securing this regional tournament is a major accomplishment for Spalding County and the SC Pickleball Association.
• Also, in October 2017, we expect to host one stop on the circuit for the Super Seniors International Pickleball Association( SSIPA) Tournament. The idea is to give seniors age 65 + an opportunity to play / compete against similar-age folks in venues across the nation. •
Brigham City to Host
PTSD Fundraiser
Jeff Donovan and Erich Schuette were pickleball partners and won Gold together at the 2015 Utah State Championship. Erich suffered from PTSD from his last Afghanistan tour and ended up taking his life in July 2016. After his passing, Jeff met with Erich’ s wife Heike and his brother Willie. He felt inspired to put on a pickleball tournament to honor his friend and friend’ s family, and help player friends cope with the loss. The tournament began with a short PTSD awareness program. After tournament expenses and a generous donation match from John Gullo, Jeff raised $ 7,000 for Erich’ s family.
All are invited to participate in this year’ s three-day PTSD nonprofit fundraiser tournament. Learn more about PTSD and play June 22-24, 2017, in Brigham City, Utah. This tournament includes the first-ever proam event, a brilliant idea suggested by Susan and Scott Moore. Donate to play with a pro for a PTSD nonprofit: Scott Moore, Christine McGrath, Larry Moon and many other pros. Also mixed doubles $ 1,500 prize money. Receive two hours of training from eight pros followed by steak or salmon dinner and silent auction June 23. Nonprofit organizations: Continue Mission, Oasis Center of Hope, The Sharing Place. •
>> Learn more: http:// www. pickleballtournaments. com / welcome. pl? tid = 1019
MARCH / APRIL 2017 | MAGAZINE 15