decided to join the Travelers’
Century Club, which has a list of
over 300 destinations including all
193 countries plus other places
such as Hong Kong and Alaska.
Later, he moved on to Most
Traveled People, which designates
840 places. He has visited 750 and
is in the top 10 travelers among
the approximately 15,000 members
listed on the organization’s website.
Meanwhile, Susan became a
good tennis player, but Steve
Dawson introduced her to pickleball
at the Bobby Riggs Tennis Center
in Encinitas, California. Shortly
thereafter, she convinced Tony to
try it. (Tony had played tennis as
well but quit at age 50 due to a
very bad back.) “There is so much
league play in tennis,” notes Susan.
“Pickleball is more fun, welcoming,
open and co-ed.” Tony affirms,
“Very co-ed.” Now they play mixed
doubles together and travel to the
major U.S. tournaments across the
country.
Tony took his name off of the
Most Traveled People list last
December, although he and Susan
still plan to travel and even took
their paddles to the North Pole so
they could practice on the ship.
In 2020, they will visit Botswana,
and maybe play the English Open
and the Bainbridge Cup, the
National Indoors in Hot Springs,
and Brigham City. Pickleball has
brought them back to the U.S. and
now they travel for fun rather than
travel competition.
“I’ve changed obsessions,” says
Tony. Winning gold in their first
tournament, the Western Regional,
hooked them both. Tony has had to
calm down on the court—they only
play mixed in tournaments—and
Susan has had to learn not to worry
about how Tony is reacting. “Unlike
most mixed teams, we share the
court evenly,” Tony explains. “We
are so new to the game, with one
year of tournament play, that there
are still really basic things to do
to improve our game. Audrey
Phillips has been our pickleball
fairy godmother and Jill Prolman
has helped us a lot with calmness
advice. It’s not easy for married
couples to play together.”
These world travelers have
settled down, and pickleball has
made them feel at home. •
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019 |
MAGAZINE
43