experience resulting in great future
tournaments in Mexico.
The final open competition was a
nail biter between two U.S. national
champions and two Mexican
players, with the Americans winning
12-10 in the third game. The future
of pickleball is well-represented by
the juniors, who displayed a high
level of skill. For those interested
in seeing the entire match, it’s on
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=Pw2ueh3Gp_4 Game 1
https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=Uez-T9HhBCg Game 2
https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=p10jBSH-waU Game 3
FIRST EXCLUSIVE
INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR
TOURNAMENT HELD IN
BAJA, MEXICO
T
By Seymour Rifkin
he World Pickleball
Federation (WPF)
sponsored the first-ever
International Junior
Tournament at the beautiful Tres
Palapas in Baja, Mexico, November
15-17, 2019. Sincere thanks and
appreciation go out to Sally and
Paul Meecham for providing such
a lovely pickleball resort for this
historic event. WPF doesn’t just
sponsor a tournament—with the
help of fellow sponsors, it creates a
life-changing experience.
Junior players who reside
outside of Mexico were exposed
to traditional dancing by the
children along with a sampling of
wonderful Mexican cuisine. The
medal ceremonies were highlighted
with sombreros and special medals,
which will leave an indelible mark
on the young junior players. All of
this was organized by the Mexico
Pickleball Federation.
This was the first
tournament organized completely
by the federation. Great job
everyone! It’s the start of what
will continue to be a learning
WPF donated $1,500 in
scholarship funds to the Mexican
Federation, which is to be used at
its discretion to assist the Mexican
juniors with lessons and equipment.
I also took the two junior
American champions Nicki
Golowich and Wyatt Stone on a
fishing trip we won’t soon forget.
The catch proved to be quite a battle
for the young Americans and the old
geezer as well. We crashed on the
boat for a mid-day siesta.
I can’t wait to visit Tres again in
2020. Practice up, boys and girls!
Thanks to all for the wonderful
memories.
Viva La Mexico •
What a Catch! A memorable fishing trip with Nicki
Golowich and Wyatt Stone.
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2020 |
MAGAZINE
61