REGIONAL
matters
PEBBLECREEK PICKLEBALL CLUB AT MONSTER SMASH !
Halloween weekend ’ s “ Monster Smash ,” led by the Surprise Pickleball Association , took place at Surprise Community Park outside of Phoenix , Arizona . The four-day event hosted 507 players , including four dozen members of the PebbleCreek Pickleball Club ( PCPB ) and those with close ties to the club watching or playing in the tournament . PCPB is one of the largest pickleball clubs in the world , with 1,427 pickleball-crazed members .
3.5 medalists across Men ’ s , Women ’ s and Mixed play were Linda Tompkins , Debbie Ginsberg , Tammy Dana-Bashian , Millie Enzler , Jeff Gauvin and Mark Baltes . Sue Johnson and Jim Farley medaled in 4.0 . Jo Comstock , Kari Rambo , Wade Johnson , Keith West , and Scot Johnson medaled in 4.5 . In 5.0 play , Lisa Milbrath , Cyn Armstrong , Jim Barbe , Greg Whitfield , Lyla Reibel and Wade Johnson all medaled .
A weekend theme emerged among PebbleCreek Pickleball Club players and fans : “ Creekers Never Say Die !” ( taken from a line in the movie “ The Goonies ” that Goonies never say die ). It was common for a dozen PCPB members to cheer fellow competitors , regardless of the score . This is an underrated aspect of tournament play — the shared experience . Support matters ! Many teams overcame large deficits , rallying to make scores close or to pull off unlikely wins , aided by the support of fellow Creekers .
If you have an opportunity to play in a local pickleball tournament , please do . Or join us in PebbleCreek in February for our annual tournament via
pickleballtournaments . com . •
— Kevin Hillstrom
PICTONA2 COMING SOON !
Pictona at Holly Hill , located in Holy Hill , Florida , is the area ’ s premiere pickleball facility . Recently , it held a groundbreaking ceremony for a much-anticipated expansion , Pictona 2 ! Currently , Pictona has 16 outside courts and eight covered courts . Pictona 2 will add an additional 24 courts and a stadium with a championship court ! The stadium will seat up to 1,200 people for tournaments and 1,500 for concerts and similar events . The $ 6 million expansion will also include the Pictona Training Center , which will have office space , a concession stand and second-story “ skyboxes ” for viewing events . The expected completion date is October 2022 . •
— Laura Gainor