PREMIER PICKLEBALL
FACILITY IN THE
SOUTHEAST DRAWS
RAVE REVIEWS
WOMEN BEYOND
CANCER ANNOUNCES
INAUGURAL
PICKLEBALL RETREAT
W
C
oming off a banner
year in 2017, the
Spalding County
Pickleball complex in Griffin,
Georgia, is geared up and ready
to stage major tournaments in the
coming months at its 18-court
facility.
Since its opening last August, the
complex is quickly being recognized
as one of the finest pickleball
layouts in the country. It served
as the host venue for the Georgia
State Games and the USAPA
Atlantic South Regional. As a result,
participation nearly doubled for both
prestigious events. “This world-class
facility is a site for many future
tournaments,” says Karen Parrish,
USAPA Atlantic South Regional
Director.
omen Beyond Cancer,
an organization offering
free retreats for women
diagnosed with any type
of cancer, is incorporating
pickleball into its retreats.
Two Sisters Farm, a lovely 20-acre horse
farm in Aiken, SC, will host the inaugural
pickleball retreat from April 18-22. Eight
women from across the country will
participate.
“We’re extremely proud of what
we’ve accomplished here and
have built a national reputation in a
short amount of time,” says Peter
Phelps, President of the Spalding
County Pickleball Association, a
not-for-profit organization devoted to
developing, promoting and growing
the sport of pickleball for the
betterment of the local community.
Members of the professional
pickleball circuit are taking notice,
too. “It’s one of the nicest facilities
in the world,” says Kyle Yates, one
of the pickleball’s marquee players.
“There are over a dozen individually
fenced, high-quality courts with
room and seating for spectators.
There are four covered courts for
hot or rainy days, and the complex
is beautifully maintained.”
Chris Powers, Chairwoman of Women
Beyond Cancer and owner of Two Sisters
Farm, never heard of pickleball when she
began hosting cancer retreats 10 years
ago. Now a pickleball enthusiast, Powers
thought that including pickleball in the retreat
program would be beneficial, and after
sharing her idea, she received an outpouring
of encouragement to do it. From pros
offering their services free of charge to folks
sharing their personal cancer journeys, Chris
was overwhelmed by the response from the
pickleball community. The April retreat filled
quickly and another is scheduled for May.
At the retreats, women have an
opportunity to bond, hang out with
horses and dogs, enjoy yoga, receive a
complimentary massage and now—play
pickleball!
For more information, visit
womenbeyondcancer.org.
MARCH/APRIL 2018 |
MAGAZINE
9