Pickleball Magazine 2-4 Courtesy of The Pickleball Guru | Page 4

FROM THE PUBLISHER In the world of pickleball, this summer has been off to a great start. In case you missed it, the US Open in Naples—only the second one ever—garnered nationwide coverage on CBS Sports and was, by all accounts, a resounding success. Our three-day traveling Pickleball Magazine Level-Up Pickleball Camps are also successfully up and running (www.leveluppickleballcamps.com). I’ve been traveling around the country to the camps and have been delighted to meet so many new people looking to better themselves and their game through their participation. I’ve been overwhelmed with the enthusiasm participants have for the camps, as well as the rave reviews they’ve shared with me after the camps conclude. If you would like a top player/pro to come to your hometown, give me a call at 412.833.8805. On the home front, I co-chaired the Gamma Pittsburgh Classic, which also is in its second year. Once again, the growth of the sport is apparent, with our participation doubling from 200 participants in 2016 to more than 400. We filled the first floor of Pittsburgh’s Convention Center (78,000 square feet) with 25 courts and two stadium courts. It’s just more proof that this game is exploding in all corners of the country with no signs of slowing down. Oh yeah, and the tournament paid out thousands of dollars in prize money and donated more than $25,000 to the Parkinson’s Foundation! Finally, I’ve dug into the sport, literally, by building my own court for my family to enjoy in our backyard. The process has been... interesting, to say the least. From the variance and easement requests, to drainage and excavation, to the proper treatments for the concrete and final surface material, I’ve learned more about what an art it is to build the perfect court. I’ll be sharing all of what I’ve learned, including how to avoid some potentially costly mistakes, in the next issue in an article documenting my journey. The big takeaway, no spoiler alert necessary, is that anyone can build their own court if they’re determined enough. I can’t wait to see more of you this summer on the courts and at our Level Up Pickleball Camps in Coeur d’Alene (ID) and St. George (UT). I look forward to hearing your stories, and sharing them, in future issues of Pickleball Magazine. Dink on! Wayne Dollard, Publisher Dollard Publishing Company, Inc., 11 Mayview Road, Canonsburg, PA 15317 412.833.8805 (cell) | [email protected] | www.ThePickleballMag.com 2 TO SUBSCRIBE CALL 888.308.3720 OR GO TO THEPICKLEBALLMAG.COM A Publication of Dollard Publishing Co., Inc. 11 Mayview Road, Canonsburg, PA 15317 www.thepickleballmag.com PUBLISHER Wayne Dollard [email protected] 412.833.8805 DESIGN Michael Miller ADVISORY BOARD Kevin Curley Dennis Dacey A.J. Fraties Irene Fraties Alex Hamner Rusty Howes Lynn Laymon Linda Laymon Jennifer Lucore Bob Nibarger Steve Paranto Paul Porch Brian Staub INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF Sarah Ansboury Christine Barksdale Rob Davidson Rob Elliott Wes Gabrielsen Jennifer Lucore Christine McGrath Tyson McGuffin Steve Paranto CONTRIBUTING WRITERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS Judy Aron Khevin Barnes Mark Berton Richard Bevevino Steve Boone Ramona Boone Joe Borelli Dr. Alan Bragman Anne Breghero Prem Carnot Joe Dinoffer Gary Feneley Barbara Fox Brian Hendrickson Michael Hess Rusty Howes John Jermstad CJ Jermstad David Jordan Justin Maloof Carolyn Milazzo Alan Neff Bob Nibarger Dick Osman Desire’ Osman Karen Parrish Ray Pereyra Peter Phelps Audrey Phillips Jay Reddinger Ed Remen Diane Reynolds Kevin Richards Seymour Rifkin Nancy Robinson Jeff Ross Chris Thomas Alice Tym Shirley Waterhouse Dollard Publishing Co., Inc. publishes six issues of Pickleball Magazine per year. Subscriptions are $24 per year. To subscribe, go to www.thepickleballmag.com. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART IS PROHIBITED. © 2017 Please recycle this magazine when you are through enjoying it.