A BIG SURPRISE FOR FAYE!!

Today, a knock on the door. Who could it be? When I opened the door – it was my cousin and her husband, Kathy and Ronnie, all the way from Richmond, Virginia!!!!! We had heard from her a couple of months ago that they might be heading West in their motorhome. I responded, asking them when and where they planning to be. Then I forgot about them!

And here they are!!!

2011 INTERNATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL AND SENIOR GAMES, PALM DESERT, CA

Feb 03 – 05 – We just spent a really fun three days watching the Pickleball competition in the 2011 Palm Desert Sports Festival and Senior Games! I don’t have any idea how many participants there were but it was a lot!! Three whole days of intense competition.

FIRST A LITTLE HISTORY

Before telling you about this year’s Games, I’d like to share a little bit of history of how Pickleball became a part of the Palm Desert Senior Games. February 2006 goes down in history as the first year Pickleball was played as part of the Senior Games. This happened because Jessie, Jim and others had spent unimaginable energy laying the groundwork and convincing the powers that be of the importance of Pickleball being included in the Games. That year, I don’t know how many participants there were but I can tell you the representation has grown immensely to what it is today!!

That year (2006), Ken and I played in the Senior Games!!! We both will always remember that as one of our most memorable Pickleball experiences.

I played Women’s Doubles with Carolyn. We took Silver. . .

That’s because Ione and Carol beat us for the Gold!!

Ken played Men’s Doubles with Jim. Their experience was not so rewarding, but they had fun.

Then Ken and I had to play Norm and Jessie in our first match of the Mixed Doubles. They really cleaned our clock!!! We went into the Losers Bracket and had to play our way back to play Norm and Jessie again – this time for the Gold. Well, they were the ones who took the Gold. Look at the smiles on their faces!!!

And, we took Silver. Notice we are smiling, too!!!

What a great experience that was! Thank you Jessie for your endless hard work for Pickleball!! If it were not for you, all these people who played in 2011 would not have had that opportunity!!!

And here we are together again for the Games in 2011. Jessie is still playing. Ken and I have retired from that type of competition.

2011 PICKLEBALL AT THE DESERT POOLS SENIOR GAMES

At this year's Senior Games there were lots of friends who were playing in the competition, or working at various positions, or just spectating. Some were doing all three!!

Here is Jim and Bert (left pictures) calling lines for a match. On the right is Rod serving as referee. Bottom right are Ruth (center) and Merralee (right) working at the score desk. Steve in the center picture was in charge of the referees. We heard it said that this was one of the smoothest run tournaments they had participated in. We think that's because of Steve!!

Jessie and Mark (left corner and center pictures) are calling lines. Linda (bottom left corner) and Roger and Barb (two right pictures) are serving as referees for some matches.

Lots of spectators!! At the left, Ken, Martin and Chuck enjoy the games. Bottom center shows me with long lost friends, Pat Carroll and Sheila!! I met them many years ago at TT LaConner. I have often wondered where they are now. And, here they are!! So glad to see them again.

The ladies watch a match. The crowd on the right was watching the Women's Singles match for the Gold. Bottom center picture: Ken, Carol, Heinz, and Renate. Everyone had a great time at the games!!!

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 03 – WOMEN’S DOUBLES AND MEN’S SINGLES

Stephanie and Judy following a match. We taught Judy to play Pickleball years ago, so we took a special interest in her participation!! Great job, Judy!!

Linda and her partner.

Carol and Annie.

Judy and Stephanie!

Carol and Ione.

Judy and Partner.

Ron in singles match.

Bob also played singles.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 04 – MEN’S DOUBLES AND WOMEN’S SINGLES

Spike and his partner, Al.

Ron (blue cap) and his partner.

Carroll and Martin.

It was hard to know who to cheer for with friends at both ends of the court!! We just cheered for the good play!!

Jim and Wendell.

Bob (in black) and his partner.

Martin and Carroll - partners in match shown above.

The only Women's Singles match I saw. Sue playing against Barb. We happened to meet both of them one morning when we went with Mark and Chris to Cahuilla Hills Park to play Pickleball. They are great!

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 05 – MIXED DOUBLES

Mixed Doubles was the most popular event. Steve said there were more than sixty teams represented.

Carol and Wendell.

Annie and Roger.

Barb and Sue are at it again -- this time with partners!

Ione and her partner.

Wendell and Carol contemplate the situation.

Ron and Carol.

Jim and partner.

Judy played with Oland.

They played against Spike's partner, Al, and his partner. Judy and Oland lost this one!

Pat Carroll and her partner.

Always meet your opponents at the net after the game and say Good Game!! (Judy and Oland won this match.)

Bob and his partner. She is tiny but she's dynamite!!

What a great time we all had at the Senior Games 2011!!