You can find a Pickleball game every day of the week (except Sundays) in the Greenville and Greer areas. We have organized play both outdoors and indoors. Players of all skill levels are welcome. Our current schedule is:
UPSTATE PICKLEBALL GROUP
The Upstate Pickleball Group is an athletic and social organization focusing on the playing of Pickleball, while providing exercise, development of skills, and social interaction for residents of Greenville, SC area.
Saturday, March 26, 2016
Saturday, April 25, 2015
Greater Greenville Senior Sports Classic - Pickleball Tournament - April 22 & 23 2015
We had 67 contestants in various matches at Gower Park Estates, Greenville, SC on Wednesday and Thursday - April 22 and 23. The weather was bright and very windy at times. But, that didn't stop the action - in fact, the wind spiced up the games. There were competitors from Fort Mills/Sun City, SC, Henderson, NC, Connestee Falls, NC Keowee Keys, SC, Stillwater, Seneca, SC, GA, and of course the Greenville area.
Kudos to Gary Allen for all of the work he did organizing the event and thanks to Kaye Allen and Jan Armacher for helping out.
Joni Dillworth and her crew and the Walgreen volunteers did a great job. Their combined effort and enthusiasm helped make the tournament a huge success. Thanks also to all of the ball shaggers.
TOURNAMENT RESULTS - Submitted Gary Allen
Winners Advanced, Advanced/Intermediate Tournament
Men’s Doubles:
1st Place: Larry Formichella and Jim Wilke - Hendersonville, NC
2nd Place: Bob Bringas and Bob Kiener – Ft. Mills/Sun City, SC
3rd Place: Mike Kaplan and Steve Johnson – Upstate Pickleball Group – Greenville, SC
Women’s Doubles:
1st Place: Susan Flynt and Jenny Kemp – Connestee Falls, NC
2nd Place: Sharon Davis and Sharon McKenzie – Ft.Mills/Sun city, SC
3rd Place: Wendy Evans and Tricia Phillips – Stillwater, Seneca, SC
Mixed Doubles:
1st Place: James Wilke and Lora Mason – Hendersonville, NC and Connestee Falls, NC
2nd Place: Walter Straus and Emily Rudow – Athens, GA
3rd Place: tied: Chris Williamson and Susan Flynt – Connestee Falls, NC
Paul Aaron and Jennifer Kemp – Connestee Falls, NC
Winners – GGSSC Intermediate/ ovice Pickleball Tournament
Thursday, April 23, 2015, 10 teams competed
1st Place: Howard and Dianna Poland - Ft. Mills/Sun City, SC
2nd Place: Tom Brophy and Pat Mertes Ft. Mills/Sun City, SC
3rd Place: James Cameron and Mike Saunders - Upstate Pickleball Group – Greenville, SC
4th Place: Geraldine O’Brien and Cathy Zugel – Upstate Pickleball Group – Greenville, SC
Captions refer to the photo above it. Individual photos can be enlarged by right-clicking on them.
Mike Kaplan in fine form.
Mike Kaplan and Steve Johnson
Kaye and Gary Allen tending to the match scores.Eric Thomas w/ partner Gary Hayler
Gary Hayler
Much welcomed shady spot.
Kathy Zugel and Geraldine O'Brien battling at the net.
Backhand with an attitude!
Kathy Zugel at the baseline.
Gary Hayler
Mike Westfall
An underhand shot from the baseline.Jerry Schmitt on serve,
Marion and Mike Westfall guarding their turf.
Bob Taylor and Jerry Schmitt
Mike Saunders and Jim Cameron
Jim Cameron: Red Shirted and Suspendered!
Mike Saunders digging one out at the baseline.
Walt Jacobs
Walt Jacobs and Peter Fallon
Visitors in red.
Bob Taylor, Mike and Marion Westfall
Photos, captions and blurb by yon editor.
Ron Blake
4/25/2015
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Seventh "Passing Of The Pickle" and the history of the tradition.
This posting honors Julia Hall as the 7th recipient of the Pickle Award. Yon editor has modified the previous posts (all listed below) to include players' last names. PS. The editorial division of the UPG wonders why the blurb about Don Daniels is in a blue font and why it is underlined. A $100 reward is being considered for an answer to the puzzle. Newer UPGers might want to read the presentations and work your way to Julia's. You'll learn a little more about our group and perhaps you'll get the urge to seek out the 8th award for yourself?
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OFFICIAL HISTORY OF "THE PASSING OF THE PICKLE"
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Soon after, Lynn and Ken left for a 3 month stint in Florida in preparation for their eventual relocation to the Sunshine State. They returned to Greenville for a few days in March 2010 and participated in a Pickleball session on March 16 at Timmons Park. On that occasion they presented the Pickle to Ron and Sharon Blake for taking on the responsibilities of tending to the equipment, scheduling sessions and caring for the BLOG. Ron accepts the award below.
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During our 2nd Annual Christmas/Holiday gathering at Jan Amacher's home on December 3, 2010 the award was presented to Steve Johnson (3rd recipient) for taking over the scheduling and equipment transportation duties while Ron and Sharon were traveling. Official, uncut photo below shows Steve graciously accepting the award while friends look on.
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The 4th Passing of the Pickle (During the 3rd Annual Christmas Party - December 14, at Gary and Muriel Hayler's home) was somewhat unique in that the recipient was not present because he was out of state tending to his father. In true UPG form - the show must go on and all that - the presentation was made by Steve to Gary Hayler who kindly received the Pickle on behalf of Gary Allen. Gary A received the award for the work he did organizing the UPGs participation in the Lake Lure Games this year, for volunteering for the 'Orderer of the Balls' position and for taking on other UPG missions.
But, that's not the end of the story.
Finally, on 12/20/2011 - a rainy day at Gower, with six UPGers present (others having to good sense to stay home) the Pickle was formally presented to Gary Allen by Steve Johnson (presentation pictured below). Sharon Blake was also on hand for the playing session but had adjourned to the car when the rain picked up, just before this photo was snapped.
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The saga continues:
Johnny and Carol displaying the Pickle w/ smiling Jan looking on.
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Congratulations Don for earning the award.
On the occasion of the belated UPG Christmas Party held on January 8, 2014 Don Daniels became the 6th recipient of the highest civilian, and most coveted award given to UPG members. The event: THE PASSING OF THE PICKLE. The gathering took place at the Travinia Italian Kitchen and was attended by 26 UPGers and guests. The "Awards Committee" (a division of the UPG) thought long and hard about the recipient - but in the end - Don was deemed the the logical choice for the treasured PICKLE. It is given each year to a UPGer who goes out of his/her way to advance the sport and otherwise contribute to the promotion and enjoyment of the game. Don spends considerable time training new players in the fine art of the game, has repaired the nets several times and eventually convinced the County to replace the nets. He is also an official "ball carrier" and is an all around good guy, unless you are his opponent. As a not-very-interesting side note: Don is the only UPGer to single-handidly construct a very temporary windbrake on the fence at the east end of the courts. It self-distructed after a half hour.
Congratulations Don for earning the award.
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The 2014 award recipient (7th recipient) was named at the annual UPG post-Christmas soiree at Travinia's Italian Kitchen. For her omnipresence at UPG sessions, her morale boosting abilities, her attention to newbies, her ball retrieval skills, and her many other contributions to the game of pickleball, the Order of the Pickle was bestowed upon Julia Hall. A placard fashioned by Don Daniels with the inscribed names of previous and current inductees accompanied the Pickle. In the tradition of others who didn't attend their own Pickling, the award was subsequently presented court-side at a UPG session. Photo below: L-R: Don Daniels, Julia Hall and Gary Allen.
Ron Blake (Spike)
February 3, 2015
Thursday, January 22, 2015
Newest Group Photo of UPGers
click image to view full-size |
The older group photo has been removed. Yon Editor will install the new photo as a permanent fixture on the Blog once the required procedure is determined.
Stay tuned for the latest info regarding the very latest "PICKLE RECIPIENT". Historical info about past recipients will also be included.
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Basic P'ball Info.
We are playing on our Fall/Winter schedule: Monday, Wednesday and Friday - starting at 1:00PM @ Gower Park.
Yon Editor
012215
Friday, October 17, 2014
New Schedule - Fall/Winter Sessions 2014/15
NEW P'BALL SESSION HOURS
Beginning Monday, October 20, 2014, we will move to our fall/winter schedule. The sessions will be from 1 - 4 PM, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at Gower Park.
See you then.
UPG Session Notification Division, LLC.
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
UPG SCHEDULE CHANGE
SCHEDULE CHANGE NOTICE:
We are changing the sessions schedule from Tuesdays and Fridays to Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays beginning next week (Sept. 1), on a trial basis.
The reasons for the change include the following:
1) Some members have been scheduling extra sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays. More scheduled weekdays may alleviate the need to add extra playing time.
2) One day last week we had 26 players. The 5 courts only hold 20 players at a time, and if there are tennis players as well, our group ends up waiting. This problem will be magnified in the Fall when good weather brings more players out.
3) The Sunday session has been disbanded for lack of players.
Please let me know if this change causes any hardship.
Gary
The sessions are held at Gower Estates Park in Greenville, SC; sessions begin at 9:00AM.
We are changing the sessions schedule from Tuesdays and Fridays to Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays beginning next week (Sept. 1), on a trial basis.
The reasons for the change include the following:
1) Some members have been scheduling extra sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays. More scheduled weekdays may alleviate the need to add extra playing time.
2) One day last week we had 26 players. The 5 courts only hold 20 players at a time, and if there are tennis players as well, our group ends up waiting. This problem will be magnified in the Fall when good weather brings more players out.
3) The Sunday session has been disbanded for lack of players.
Please let me know if this change causes any hardship.
Gary
The sessions are held at Gower Estates Park in Greenville, SC; sessions begin at 9:00AM.
Thursday, August 21, 2014
NEW STARTING SCHEDULE - STARTING FRIDAY AUGUST 22, 2014
BEAT THE HEAT and AVOID SCHOOL BUS CONFLICTS - NEW STARTING TIME:
STARTING ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 22nd 2014, WE WILL BE STARTING THE REGULAR P'BALL SESSIONS AT 9:00 AM. THE CHANGE OF THE STARTING TIME IS TOO AVOID CONFLICTS WITH SCHOOL BUSES. OF COURSE, PLAYERS CAN ARRIVE AT ANY TIME DURING THE SESSIONS.
THE REGULAR SESSIONS ARE NOW BEING HELD ON TUESDAYS and FRIDAYS.
IF FOLKS WANT TO PLAY ON OTHER DAYS YOU CAN MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO USE CLUB BALLS.
SOME PLAYERS HAVE NOT CONTRIBUTED TO THE BALL FUND. BESIDES SHAGGING BALLS (HINT, HINT) CHIPPING IN FOR BALLS IS YOUR ONLY OTHER RESPONSIBILITY. CHEAP ENOUGH FOR AN ALL-AROUND GOOD TIME, DON'T YOU THINK?
OUR MATCHES ARE PLAYED AT GOWER PARK, GREENVILLE, SC
Spike
8/21/2014
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