S
enior players enjoy destination
tournaments. They’ve seen every
Holiday Inn and Super 8, but San
Felipe, Mexico, on the northern end
of the Baja Peninsula, gave players a
fun, festive venue and the very best of
housing arrangements.
Residents of the El Dorado Ranch
community opened their homes so
players could experience life on the
Sea of Cortez. For many of us, new
friendships are the most meaningful part of pickleball.
Tournament Director Jim Stapleton ran numerous
round robins so players got plenty of matches and
had the opportunity to meet new players. Seniors also
enjoyed the welcome party at the La Palapa courts
sponsored by Copa Di Vino. Everyone received an
ergonomic hourglass-shaped cup of the wine of their
choosing. The story of Copa Di Vino on Shark Tank is an
interesting one. Founder James Martin has an eye for
successful ventures—maybe he has a good reason for
sponsoring a pickleball tournament!
SUPER SENIORS
Butch Williams in the San
Felipe, Baja, Mexico, Valley of
the Giants in front of a cardon
cactus. These cacti could grow
to be 2,000 years old.
For many of us,
ndships
new fr e ie
the most
ar
meaningful part of
pickleball .
In addition to the tournament, players visited the
Valley of the Giants. This is a forest of 50-foot cardon
cacti. At dusk, their shadows stretch the length of a
football field. They are slow-growing but could live 2,000
years.
When the matches finished each day, players could
go off-roading on the massive dune fields. There
are fossils in the valleys and lots of good volcanic
geology to photograph. This is much more than just
another tournament—and I haven’t even mentioned
the wonderful food! The Copa Di Vino is a fine example
of the opportunities for pickleball in the future. New
friends, new foods, new places and, as always, fun and
laughter! •
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2019 |
MAGAZINE
27