BACK AGAIN BY POPULAR DEMAND! Suppose you heard about our mixed doubles tournament? It was a USAPA sanctioned tourney with usapa members receiving points if the won a medal. We had twenty one teams and plenty of spectators. Players came from around the valley and from out of the area. We had five specific age groups, and several from Sky Valley won medals. Henry Meerkerk and Betty Wust took the gold in their age group. Doug and Lovell Cassidy, Jeff and Coke Netcott, and Jan Johnson and Bev Parks took bronze in their respective age groups. Needless to say, we received many compliments on a well run tournament. And that brings us to point out that well run tournaments (or any activity) don't just happen. It takes dedicated volunteers. From Len on loudspeaker and Anne Marie with Fern at the scheduling table, along with John, Hutch and Marlene, Doug, Lovell, and all those who volunteered to line judge and referee, to those who helped clean up and set up, we give a big shout out! Special mention to Don James, our photographer, who produced a great variety of event pictures. And how about those hamburgers?! Those grilled onions were a siren call! We should all be looking forward to next year and our third annual mixed doubles tournament! Prepare yourselves to compete in it and have real fun on the courts!

Recognition

There are many picklers who help promote our game here at Sky. We all put out a shout (many times) for Doug, Hutch, Norm & Reed, but I would like to shout out to Fern! She has been a reliable worker who takes good care of score keeping duties. I particularly thank her for the score keeping duties during our mixed doubles tournament, even though our bracket print-outs went south on us. Great job Fern! She will tell you she had some good help, and that is true. Art, Eddy and John were all great helpers! How about a shout out for all who help make pickleball great in Sky Valley!

Desert Valley League

This Tuesday, our sky valley team was pushed out of first place by the Catalina 2 team, but not before we put up a scrappy fight. Good job, Team!

Logo for sky valley pickle club

Alright, listen up! We need input on a logo for tee shirts. The park is open to getting shirts for us, but is asking for ideas. Details of the shirt purchases are still being ironed out. Post your ideas on the court bulletin board. Jan

Catalina Spa pickleball tournament

On March 18,19,20, Catalina Spa is sponsoring their second annual pickleball tournament. One entry fee of $20.00 covers all events. This is a usapa sanctioned event, tier 4. This event is currently posted on our Sky Valley courts bulletin board with entry forms for your use. Deadline for this tourney is 12th March, at 5:00 P.M. Get your partners and sign up early for this fun event.

Mixed Doubles Tournament

The first annual Sky Valley mixed doubles pickle ball tournament is now a historical fact. We fielded 24 mixed doubles teams. Although those from other areas took most of the medals, Sky Valley players dominated the ages 70+ bracket, taking the gold and bronze medals in that bracket. Winner of the gold was our own Ken Vandermey, of the bronze, Jan Johnson. The comments we received were very positive, both from players and spectators. We are already planning the 2011 tournament. Hope you all plan on participating.

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS

Merry Christmas to all you picklers from Albuquerque, NM. We are having a great time here. Found a great group of picklers. Have you ever been to Albuquerque in the fall? Then you have experienced the aroma of chili peppers being roasted in the market places - the smell hangs like smoke in the air, with maybe just a hint of heat for the eyes. Some call them tears of joy! So, I met usapa ambassador Bill Marshall who has promoted pickle here in ALB! What a tremendous job he has done and is still doing. And the picklers here are just like picklers everywhere, addicted to learning and playing the game. Bill took the time to introduce the game to my son Kevin, who after 3 continuous days is nursing some tight leg muscles. I watched Bill as he trained his players to referee, preparing them for an upcoming tournament. Needless to say, we have had fun with the players here. We should be back in Sky Valley on Dec. 27th if we don't get snowed in. Have a great Christmas and remember our Lord on the day we picked to celebrate his birth. - Jan - Oh yes, the pickleball club here has a motto! PICKLEBALL - PEEL EM, ROAST EM, PICKLE EM!