2021 USA PICKLEBALL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
By Phil Mortenson
USA PICKLEBALL CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
BOARD CHAIR Phil Mortenson
BOARD VICE CHAIR Laura Patterson
SPRING FORWARD
AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBERS
Philip Bullen Bob Franceschelli Suzanne Guerin Ernie Medina Robert Quicksilver
USA PICKLEBALL STAFF
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Stu Upson
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Justin Maloof
CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER George Bauernfeind
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Dan Ellsworth
MANAGING DIRECTOR OF COMPETITION
Karen Parrish
MANAGING DIRECTOR OF RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS
Hope Tolley
MANAGING DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP
Nikki Greene
DIRECTOR OF OFFICIATING Mark Peifer
DIRECTOR OF AMBASSADORS Steve Stone
DIRECTOR OF EQUIPMENT STANDARDS
Carl Schmits
DIRECTOR OF EQUIPMENT COMPLIANCE
Donn Paben
HEAD OF PARTNERSHIPS John Greene
DIRECTOR OF MEDIA RELATIONS Laura Gainor
MANAGER OF SOCIAL MEDIA Kevin Brown
As spring approaches each year , most people in the country are instructed in March to reset their clocks by moving them forward one hour in order to keep up with the time . This year that simple act was perhaps as symbolic of keeping up with the times as keeping up with the time . The COVID-19 surge in winter had caused us to “ fall back ,” but as spring began to unfold , so did indoor and outdoor activities . Tournaments that have been hibernating are at last awakening from their nap in 2020 . An old African proverb says it well : “ No matter how long the winter , spring is sure to follow .”
This issue of Pickleball Magazine features the US Open Pickleball Championships and announces the formation of the USA Pickleball National Championships Series , a group of tournaments positioned throughout the U . S . that will offer most amateur and professional players who win gold at the top of their divisions a more streamlined process to qualify for the Margaritaville USA Pickleball National Championships . The tournaments will serve as official USA Pickleball stops on the road to Nationals , providing those qualifiers with a Golden Ticket to the premier pickleball tournament of the year . And for you indoor players , the National Indoor Tournament is coming up June 8-13 in Alabama , offering prize money in the Open and Senior Open divisions .
Time for a short limerick break and winning advice to doubles players :
In doubles you always succeed Applying this positive creed : Since the teams come in twos , You must venture to choose As your partner , the number-one seed .
The number of recreational pickleball players continues to grow . Even though tournaments have been sparse so far this year , players seeking exercise and enjoyment have found ways to continue playing . Our Places2Play website inventory is growing along with our membership . In the first four months of 2021 , USA Pickleball membership increased over 12 percent .
We continue to listen to suggestions from our members about how we can enhance and enrich our recreational and tournament programs . Many thanks to all of you who love this sport and promote its many health , enjoyment , competitive and social benefits . It ’ s more than a sport — it ’ s also a game and an easy , guilt-free way to have fun . •
MAY / JUNE 2021 | MAGAZINE 9