The RR Pickleball Club Academy “Professors,” left to right: Barry Pocock, Bob Romagosa, Gary San Miguel, Irene Romagosa, Sherril Kerr, Mel LaBard, Warren Williamson, Pat Sabo, Tom Burke and Ford Roberson. Not pictured is Larry Dietrich.
Carol Hilton, Pickleball Academy
Calls of “You’re in the kitchen!,” “Out,” “Side Out” could be heard in the gym as the Pickleball Academy introduced referee and lines-person training in September. Students joined Sherril Kerr and Ford Roberson to learn the basics of managing a match, rules of the game, scoring and line calling. Our new graduate referees will be available to help with future tournaments.
In addition to referee training, the Pickleball Academy has graduated its third successful class of picklers. Since June, 60 students have participated in the Academy training, both indoors and out. Under the direction of Gary San Miguel and his coaching staff (Sherril Kerr, Ford Roberson, Tom Burke, Warren Williamson, Barry Pocock, Bob Romagosa, Irene Romagosa, Melvin Labard, Pat Sabo and newcomer Larry Dietrich), the “professors” have logged almost 500 hours of instruction. Thanks to all of you!
The academy welcomes all levels of players. All the basics such as serve, forehand, backhand, lobs and overheads are covered via numerous drills designed to improve player’s accuracy, speed and placement. Additional instruction for more complicated shots such as drop volley, half volley and third shot are presented along with court strategies. The training is rounded off with a dose of court etiquette, safety and sportsmanship.
The academy sessions conclude with a round robin tournament. The latest winners were Charles Turner and Bob Duplantis for Session 1 and Kevin Andrews and Michael McKinney for Session 2.
Stay tuned to the Robson Ranch Denton Pickleball Club website for future Academy sessions.
Ladders
The fall indoor recreational ladder started October 4 and will run until November 11. The Challenge Ladders are on-going, and participants schedule their own matches and have the option of playing indoors or outside. Doubles, Mixed Doubles and Singles ladders are available.
Tournaments
The annual Senior North Texas Pickleball Mixed Doubles tournament was held in Lewisville on September 17. Robson Ranch was again well represented with Sherril Kerr and Patrick Claytor taking silver in Mixed Doubles.
Our traveling competitors also fared well in Hot Springs for the Arkansas Senior Games. Irene Romagosa, Sherril Kerr, Ford Roberson and Patrick Claytor all brought home more gold medals.
Congratulations!
Want to join in on the fun?
Membership information is available in the gym. Contact information is also available on the Robson Ranch Denton Pickleball Club website: www.rrdpc.com.
We play pickleball with relish!