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!!
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!!
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 04 – MEN’S DOUBLES AND WOMEN’S SINGLES
Spike and his partner, Al.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 05 – MIXED DOUBLES
Mixed Doubles was the most popular event. Steve said there were more than sixty teams represented.
Carol and Wendell.
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