Week 534-536 - Pickleball Nationals VIII - 11-16-2016

Pickleball Nationals VIII

Palm Creek Resort once again hosted the Pickleball Nationals. We came from St. George to help referee the tournament. We arrived two weeks early so we could get in on the social PB play. We don't play in the Nationals. It is broken out by age groups and there is always 5.0 players in our group. Thus we're beat before the sun gets hot.

Palm Creek's 32 PB courts make it the ideal location to host large tournaments. This year's tournament had over 800 players and 2100 matches.

Matches are broken into age groups. These teams in the 50+ age group.

Our friend Joyce referees these players in the 19-34 year bracket. To put on this 10-day tournament, it required over 300 volunteers and 137 referees.

Ellen referees in the "pit". The pit has four sunken courts and allows hundreds of spectators to watch four matches at the same time.

This is a Bronze medal match for the 17 and 18 year old mens doubles. Points in a pickleball rally are usually won with 1 to 20 hits, with most rallies about 5 to 10 shots. Pete watched these two teams play a rally with 60 hits before the outcome was determined. Wow, these kids are good!

Some of the fans. 1) Ellen poses with "Yoda". Yoda is a 5.0 player that we have watched and admired for years. 2) Donna is the Palm Creek Pickleball Club president. She was very busy working with volunteers to organize this event. 3) Lynn and Linda are long time PB friends. Pete partnered with, then stranger, Lynn in his first tournament. They played in a 3.5 level Huntsman and lasted for six matches.

Dozens of vendors set up their tents selling anything related to pickleball.

Palm Creek Resort had their booth selling clothing, hats, mugs and houses!

The Pickleball Marketplace had the big tent with paddles, balls, shirts, skirts, shorts, jewelery and more. Our friends Ken and Shannon sell the jewelry they make at Pickleball Bling.

Hungry? Step on over to the Palm Creek cafe. Burgers, chicken, brats, salads and ice cream are at your disposal with plenty of seating to enjoy your meal.

The weather was hot for two weeks before the Nationals. This was the day before the tournament started. Oops!

We were on the scooter this day when the clouds opened up and dumped on us.

But, the rain stopped and yielded these great photos.

This used to be Mandy's favorite playground. But, for the last month it was closed. We'll be back in February and she can enjoy playing with her friends.

On Thursday we'll head to Donnalees' house in Green Vally for Thanksgiving.

Be blessed and thankful for what God has done in your life.

With love, Pete, Ellen and Mandy

Photos from Nov 2016