Joan Gillette of Texas defeated Bev Dage of Washington state in the Women ’ s Singles B Division .
Hall of Famers Mark Friedenberg ( Pickleball ), Rick Barry ( NBA ) and Jim Hackenberg ( Pickleball ). Rick plays a mean game of pickleball . The kitchen line is not a hindrance !
Pam Graves from Minnesota refereed the match between Anna Goetz and Aiaga Roffey of Grand Junction , CO , and Suzanne Deardorff of California and Juliet Peters of Hawaii .
The 80s and 90s ( l to r ): Brenda and Hank Winawer ( gold – 80s ); Joyce Jones and Fred Eggan ( gold – 90s ); and Anne Harrington and Hank Palmer ( silver – 80 ). categories in all the sports . This is Utah ’ s qualifier for the National Senior Games Association ( NSGA ) nationals in Ft . Lauderdale in May . NSGA is a major promoter of participation in senior sports .
Several trends were noticeable at this year ’ s HWSG . The level of play is much higher in every age category . The 50-year-olds look like the pros of last year . Every serve and every return were deep and hard . So many tennis strokes are on the pickleball court now — the tennis players have arrived ! I predict that in one year the vast majority of the top men ’ s players will be 6 feet tall or taller . The better women players will be pushing 6 feet . Height is a tremendous advantage in pickleball ; the results will bear that out .
The middle age senior category players ( 60-70 ) are taking lessons and attending camps . They strategize and are capable of countering pace and resetting the play . Older players are getting fit , playing a lot of tournaments , and watching videos for tips . The statement that athletes die twice ( the first when their career ends ) is not true when they are able to rejuvenate by playing events like the Huntsman . Tennis players who are coming to pickleball are getting a second chance and they are bringing new skills and plays to the sport .
Another trend is private courts . When you ask where people play , the answer is often “ at my house ” or “ at Bob ’ s court .” Players say they do not want to wait for a court , and they do not want to have to play with lesser players . There is more and more stratification and more selection of opponents rather than drop-in play . While this is probably inevitable , it does not help lowerrated players advance .
Another trend is in clothing and equipment . More women are wearing tennis skirts and cute outfits . Yvonne Hackenberg and Hilary Marold look like models who change into athletes when they hit the ball . Men are wearing pickleball shirts , cool hats , and bright shoes . Gone are the goofy tank-top undershirts . And paddles ! Everybody has a different paddle . So many choices , so many sounds .
It is a fun time to be in pickleball , and most of the players appreciate the growing pains . Kyle Case , the CEO of the HWSG , visited several times to check on the tournament and commented on the growth of pickleball .
This year , a film crew from Los Angeles attended the event to do a documentary on the 75- to 79-year-old women who fought for women ’ s sports and are now playing pickleball . The crew filmed play , but they also followed the players into the mountains , hiking and collecting Moqui marbles . Pickleball is gaining the attention of the media on every front .
The fact that pickleball enables a continuation of an active lifestyle was so apparent at this year ’ s event . Friendships were rejuvenated and the newcomers welcomed into the fold .
The HWSG delivered again this year , despite having to deal with many last-minute changes due to COVID-19 . But , thanks to all the hardworking volunteers , the matches were played , and the medals were given . Hard-hitting 50-year-olds pounded their way to the medal stand while the men ’ s 80s singles division drew record numbers . It was good to see old friends again . No more time-outs — it is just too much fun to be in beautiful St . George ! •
NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2021 | MAGAZINE 49