Mixed Doubles 65+ 5.0, 4.5 medal winners from left to right: Fred Thompson (resident) and Vicky Noakes, Silver Medal; Susan Goldstraw and Rick Mendenhall, Golf Medal; Sherril Kerr (resident) and Tim Kuss, Bronze Medal
Mark Kellam
On May 9-11 Robson Ranch Denton Pickleball Club (RRDPC) hosted a Super Senior International Pickleball Association (SSIPA) circuit tournament. This tournament was also the first USAPA sanctioned tournament in North Texas. Being a USAPA sanctioned tournament carries prestige and improves the number and quality of the players attracted.
The tournament was the third circuit event on the SSIPA tournament schedule (http://www.ssipa-pb.org/tournaments). Upcoming events are scheduled for Lafayette Hills, PA; Washougal, WA; Littleton, CO; Ruidoso, NM; Madrid, Spain; and the World Championships in Griffin, GA in October.
The event was held on our new Pickleball and Tennis Complex, which was finished just in time. We now have a world class venue with 16 courts and a wonderful Ramada with shade, picnic tables and restrooms.
One hundred forty players from nine states competed over three days. This included 61 Robson Ranch Denton players! The competition was fantastic as our RRDPC members got to test themselves against players from other areas. RRPDC members fared very well, garnering 81 medals. Tournament results are available on USAPA’s website, or directly at pickleball tournaments web site: http://www.pickleballtournaments.com/cinfo.pl?tid=1054&passkey=9424.
A big thank you to all of our sponsors; we could not have held this event without their support. Please consider these companies for your future needs.
Signature Sponsor: Robson Resort Communities. Thanks to Jack Sarsam, Kent Coleman and the entire Cimarron Sports Club team.
Platinum Sponsors: Farmers Insurance, Jay Noble; Temperature Pro, Louis Dracoulls; Pickleball Rocks
Gold Sponsors: Paddletek; Onix; Pro-Lite; Selkirk; JOLT Physical Therapy Gun
Silver Sponsors: Pickleball Central; Pickleball Sisters; Denton Chamber of Commerce
Our tournament would not have happened without our Tournament Director, Ford Roberson, the Tournament Committee and incredible volunteer teams. We can’t thank the volunteers and committee enough; many arrived before the sun was up and left late in the evening every day.
Tournament Committee: Director, Ford Roberson; Referee Desk, Fred Thompson; Desk Operations, Mark Kellam; Registration, Susan Michelsen; Medical, Shirley Waterhouse; Set Up/Take Down, Jim Mitchell; Parking/Clean Up, Jim Propes; Hospitality/Host Homes, Susan Parker, Char Thompson, Cassie Richardson, Jennifer Hill; Photography, Mike Waterhouse; Troubleshooting, Mike Conley; PA System, Jim Lafferty; Medal Presentation, Lisa Dean.
Last and certainly not least, Jeremy Trietsch and Rhett Hubbard from The Wildhorse Grill fired up the BBQ and provided lunch at the Ramada. Great food and so convenient!
Robson Ranch Denton Pickleball Club and the entire community should be proud of our world class facility and especially how our tournament was run. We have had hundreds of calls, emails and personal thanks from players for hosting one of the best tournaments they have ever attended.
Pickleball Rocks!