gift from my friend Susie Mascarin Keane ,” she explained . “ We grew up playing junior tennis together and later competitive platform tennis . She knew I was becoming an empty nester . Two weeks after my son left home , she gave me a demo paddle , signed us up for a tournament at the 4.5 level and said to me , ‘ You have two months to become a 4.5 and play the tournament .’ We played . I was horrible , but we won . And that was the start of my pickleball addiction .”
To attain the status of a nationally ranked player in any sport , highly competitive juices flow easily and often . Such was the case with Welsher as she transitioned into the sport of pickleball and is now considered one of the top doubles players in the world . But , while accolades came early for her in tennis , such was not the case for her segue into pickleball .
“ It was difficult yet exhilarating at the same time . I loved the fact that I wasn ’ t very good at it right away so it would be a challenge ,” remembers Welsher . “ I love problem solving so it was perfect as it opened a whole new world to me where I met such wonderful people . I was getting killed by everybody no matter if they were big , small , old or young . I loved it . A new chapter opened in my life right when I needed it the most and took my mind off of not having my boys at home anymore .”
As an acclaimed athlete early on in her life , Welsher knew full well and appreciated the importance of a good physical regimen to keep her on the top of her game . And perhaps no other pickleball peer rivals her in fitness and conditioning .
“ Well , I ’ m a little crazy about training ,” she admitted . “ Every year I add to it , and being in Florida now and living adjacent to the Naples Pickleball Center I am training a ton . Drilling is my happy place where I can solve all my problems and break everything down . I drill at least three times a week with a partner as well as work on my ball machine several days a week .
“ I play games three times a week as well , always with different people to see variety . Off the court , I work out with a trainer three times a week with weights and one time a week for endurance . Then at night I like to study video . I know it ’ s a lot , but Father Time is ticking , and I want no regrets this time around . Winning is wonderful , but it ’ s the journey that excites me . If I do my job , then results should follow , but I ’ m good no matter what happens .”
What has happened for Welsher is a second chance at top competition in a sport she is fervently passionate about . And , to garner the success she desires , her mixed doubles partner is arguably the sport ’ s most decorated athlete . Scott Moore , holder of nearly 150 titles over the past nine years — more than any other professional pickleballer — is now playing alongside Welsher and is perhaps her biggest fan .
“ She complements my game in numerous ways , including being so much fun and such a fierce competitor that she makes me want to work harder and work specifically on becoming a better mixed doubles partner for her ,” said Moore , who owns Triple Crown wins in six major championships , a record that may never be matched .
“ She is super encouraging to me , even when I mess up ; fires me up with a fierce growl when we win a tough point ; and is willing to play whatever role she needs to play for us to win . I just always feel like we have each other ’ s backs , and are both warriors , and she has become my favorite mixed partner of all time .”
The feeling is mutual as Welsher credits Moore with her continual growth and success as a player . The
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The unrelenting focus off the forehand side from Beth Bellamy .
Many of the game ’ s best players , like Cammy MacGregor , started their careers on the tennis court . Once ranked as high as 75th in the world in women ’ s singles , she also had a world doubles ranking of 38th in 1992 .
Dayne Gingrich ready to hit a topspin forehand and undoubtedly unleashing his favorite shot — the gameending putaway !
Scott Crandall just started playing pickleball in 2019 and is now regarded as one of the sport ’ s top senior pro men ’ s doubles players .
JULY / AUGUST 2022 | MAGAZINE 37