REGIONAL
matters
USAPA WEST REGIONAL FEATURES
SPECIAL CONGRESSIONAL
RECOGNITION CERTIFICATE
W
ith more than 1,000
players competing
on 36 courts in
Southern California,
the recent USAPA West Regional is
now considered the fourth largest
pickleball tournament in the world.
Idyllic weather highlighted the
five days of competition at the
Mile Square Regional Park in the
picturesque community of Fountain
Valley. At stake were not only
gold, silver and bronze medals,
but also a coveted spot in the
2019 Margaritaville USA Pickleball
National Championships.
Opening ceremonies included
a representative from the office of
the 48th District’s Congressman
Harley Rouda, who presented a
Certificate of Special Congressional
Recognition to the event organizers,
including Co-Tournament Directors
Steve Sidwell and Mark Peifer. Add
a ribbon cutting ceremony attended
by Fountain Valley Mayor Pro Tem
Cheryl Brothers and Councilman
Michael Vo and you had all the
makings of an unforgettable opening
ceremony.
During the prestigious event,
medals were awarded to players
in over 1,500 matches in Men’s
and Women’s Singles, Men’s and
Women’s Doubles and Mixed
Doubles events.
This year’s West Regional featured
not one, but two Championship
Courts, newly resurfaced to
recognize the event’s title sponsor—
Electrum Pickleball.
Additional sponsors
included Franklin,
Selkirk and numerous
others that provided
generous contributions,
all culminating in an
outstanding event
experience for everyone.
Not to be outdone, the
tournament’s closing ceremonies
featured a raffle prize that included
a $2,000 special weekend at the
Temecula Hilltop Villa. Sounds
awesome, right? Well it is, because
one of the villa’s amenities is a
private pickleball court!
“This year’s event was a testament
to vision, teamwork and commitment,
and this team had it all,” said Steve.
“A huge shout-out and thank-you for
allowing Mark Peifer to retain his Co-
Tournament Director position for the
West Regional after being named the
new USAPA Director of Officiating.
He did an incredible job of balancing
these two responsibilities and this
event would not have been nearly as
successful without Mark’s dedication,
perseverance and leadership.”
As with most major events, there
is never any rest for the weary. Plans
are well underway for the 2020
tournament that will no doubt have
its sights set on eclipsing this year’s
magnificent turnout.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 52
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