The Beach Boys and has met the legendary group ’ s cofounder and musical genius , Brian Wilson , three times — and has a guitar that Wilson signed . Steve thinks having a home pickleball court is fun , fun , fun !
“ I bought a home that had a perfect area for a court ,” he says of the Mediterranean-style house he purchased in 2020 in Roseville , 15 miles from Sacramento . “ The courts in our area were filling up more and more and I , with my own court , wouldn ’ t have any waiting time and could schedule my own level-matched groups at home , at times that suited me and the weather ,” Steve reasoned .
His neighborhood has a homeowners association , however , so he needed letters of approval from two neighbors who could be affected by the noise . He didn ’ t install lights and typically plays mornings . “ And now neighbors are interested in learning to play ,” he says .
Steve was a civil engineer for 44 years , so he knows something about construction . He did some of the work on the court himself , starting in May 2020 . He also put considerable thought into the area around the court .
“ The vegetation outside the perimeter of half of the court has a thin black decorative wire , an almost invisible fence to stop the ball for easy retrieval ,” Steve explains . “ On the north end is a brick retaining wall that also stops a runaway ball . The ball may find its way over the neighbors ’ fence occasionally with a random block or mishit , but when the neighbor finds it , it gets tossed back over the fence .”
The landscaping project included artificial turf with putting greens , a built-in barbecue , a water feature , a concrete walkway and patio areas .
Steve says , “ I am very happy with my court , and was able to keep the contractors in line during the build .” That ’ s because he was home during construction , recovering from a hip replacement . “ Having the ability to be present while contractors were here gave me the option to adjust the overall design and keep the work adhered to specifications . I didn ’ t let them cut corners .”
The court was finished in August 2020 . Steve plays four or five days a week despite having both hips replaced .
At Steve Meikle ’ s pickleball court , there are only Good Vibrations .
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Steve Meikle ’ s backyard court in Roseville , California , has artificial turf with putting greens , a built-in barbecue , a water feature , concrete walkway and patio areas .
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2024 | MAGAZINE 31