Tuesday P'ball - December 18, 2012

 

Thanks to Gary H for sending along this new Pickleball logo.

 



We had another beautiful day for pickleball with 9 players in action: Mike, Gary A, Gary H, Steve, Bob D, Julia, Karen, Kim and your honor. Also on site were wind-at-your-back and sun-in-your eyes. Not present, but accounted for: Self-proclaimed newbie Rob R. His darling wife Kim reported that Rob could not attend this session - now get this - "because he had to get a haircut ." At first we thought Kim was toying with us, some sort of a cruel joke, perhaps. Never, ever, under any circumstances make any appointments that interfere with scheduled Pickleball sessions. That is the lamest excuse ever used for missing a p'ball session as determined by a careful search of the UPG EXCUSES ARCHIVES. The UPG Rules Committee has already met in an emergency session and by a 1 - 0 vote decided to cut Rob some slack for his indiscretion - citing his newness to our organization. Lucky for Rob - he will play again.

Approved excuses for missing scheduled UPG pickleball sessions.

If you are:

___hospitalized at the time of the session and under anesthesia (but, not self administered).
___out of the country (excluding Southern California), but not if you are within two hours flying time unless you are flying United.
___unable to move the majority of your limbs, not counting your ears.

or, during theses weather events:

___hurricanes (Category 3 or above).
___earthquakes ( above 7.0 on the Richter Scale).

Unacceptable excuses, so don't even try: I'm tired; it's cold or hot; I want to stay home to spend more time with my mother-in-law; it looks like it may rain, snow or hail; My bunion is acting up; had a rough night last night....

The list above should be printed and stored in a secure location. Refer to it often so you won't follow in Rob's footsteps.

When I get another camera, you won't have to put up with this foolishness. By the way - we had a great day of pickleball once the shock of Rob's excuse finally wore off.

Spike

 

 

December 14, 2012 - P'ball Session

There are no photographs for this day's events, because the UPG OFFICIAL CAMERA suffered a malfunction. It (the camera) is out of sorts and so is the camera person.

But, UPGers carried on. Twelve players were in action: Mike, Steve, Gary A, Gary H, Rob, Kim, Bob D, Lynne, Julia, Claude, Walt and yon Editor.

There was some confusion at first because Claude and Josee showed up and immediately took over a designated Pickleball court. No problem there, except they were armed with tennis racquets and fuzzy yellow balls. They had at it for a while, then Josee went for a walk in the park and Claude changed equipment and began playing p'ball. Whew. Thought we were going to have a real problem with the infliction dubbed Pickleball Court Intrusion (PCI). But, it wasn't to be.

Sun-in-your-face was present. That situation caused some missed high lobs, but it was a beautiful winter day with just a puff of a breeze with the temperature hovering right around 60 degrees. No complaints there.

We kept 3 courts busy with lots of grueling matches and a few that weren't. Loads of fun, with pals on a nice day.

Rob (a relative newbie, he asserts) rustled up Gary A as a partner and issued a challenge to Kim (Rob's loving wife) and Lynne. Kim acknowledged that Rob had thrown down the gauntlet. Kim, a polished player and Lynne (nicknamed Ace for good reason) accepted the challenge and the match commenced. OK. So K and L won the match and that should have been the end of it. But, no. Gary, but most probably Rob, issued another challenge - a grudge match. Big mistake. 0 and 2.

Fun in the sun.
Spike

Almost 121212 - Tuesday, Dec 11, 2012

We had eleven players today: Chris, Mike, Gary A, Julia, Bob D, Johnny, Carol, Gary H, Steve, Peter and Ron. The hard-paced matches took a heavy toll. Carol took a ball to the nose and Gary A acquired a wrist abrasion which required minor medical care. These events did not stop the p'ball action. All players carried on.

Below: Bob D showing his style.

We had a new player who happen by and watched from the parking lot for about an hour. He finally milled near enough to the courts where Spidy invited him to join us. His name is Keith. We handed him a paddle and gave him a little one-on-one court time. He easily returned every ball sent his way. So, nice folks that we are, he was put into a match. Unfortunately, after about 20 minutes he pulled a calf muscle and had to retire from the match. Then he headed home. He wasn't around for our Membership/Communications Division to secure his email address, but, here's hoping the injury is minor and that he comes back for another session.

Below. Top L: Chris/Steve; Top R: Spidy and partner vs Chris/Steve; Bott L: Chris's Kokopelli paddle (not the brand, the image). Check out Kokopelli's claim to fame. Bott R: Damaged equipment.

Below. L: Duplicate collage image. Ignore it, if you can. Top: Johnny/Peter; Bott: Gary A.

 

Chris will be leaving this neck of the woods in the very near future. The move is job related - otherwise, who would move to Toledo just when the long winter is just setting in? Hope Chris makes it back this way every once in a while. Best regards.

Spike

Pearl Harbor Day P'ball - 12/07/2012

 We had 10 players today even though the weather seemed like it could turn on us any second. But, thanks to the UPG Weather Arranger, the sky brightened and we enjoyed a sparkling day. Players: Gary A, his daughter-in-law Jena, Steve, Walt, David, Julia, Jim, Karen, Mike and Ron. Thanks to Gary A for taking some of the following photos. Dave - a Saturday player - joined our weekly session for the first time. Added another dimension to our session with his youthful speed and intensity. Jena, never played pickleball before, but she showed considerable talent as soon as she set foot on the court. After a short instruction period with Gary, she started playing matches. Played like a veteran.

Below: Spidy (Mike) and Spike (Ron)

Below. Top: Jena, Walt/Karen; Bottom: Karen, Ron

 

 Below. Top: Gary A, Steve/David; Bottom: Steve (Stevie Wonder), Julia/Jim

As always, there were many matches played and plenty of exciting battles. It's always a pleasure to have new players on the courts and to see the notable improvements made each session by our newer players. If you haven't been around for a while, it's time to get off your duff and come on down to Gower and get back into the playing groove. There is plenty of action to be had in any skill level.

If you haven't seen the two previous Blog Posts, scroll down to the next entries - entitled: UPG HOLIDAY PARTY and PASSING THE PICKLE - A HISTORY

It's good to be back in full-time action.
Spike

UPG HOLIDAY PARTY - DEC 5, 2012

UPG's 4th Annual Holiday Bash, held at the very nice Riverwalk Clubhouse, was a raging success. At last count there were 26 partiers. Everyone brought plenty of food so there was a nice selection of main course dishes, snacks and desserts thanks to Sharon's masterful coordination prowess. Gary A and Kaye worked very hard setting up the tables and chairs and decorating for the event and even had soft background music playing. We had a good mix of UPG 'old-timers' and several newer players as well.

The second most exciting event of the evening took place first. Before the event even started! Gary A or Kaye (but, most likely Gary - because he's a man) misplaced the key to the Clubhouse. Kaye went to their home and searched where Gary suggested and came back empty handed. Then, Gary went to look. In the mean time party-goers started to accumulate on the front porch of the still darkened clubhouse. UPGer Bob D and wife Bonnie walked up from the parking lot and Bob noticed something on the sidewalk. "What's this", Bob said and held up the key which was dangling from a long lanyard. We were saved from having the party on the porch!

 

The first most exciting event took place a while later after folks had finished the yummies and were in the midst of socializing and imbibing. The Passing Of The Pickle took place for the 5th time. The much-sought after and much hailed award was presented to Johnny and Carol during a solemn ceremony that reflected the significance of the event. The Kosher Pickle is awarded to UPGers whose contribution to our group and the promotion of Pickleball in general goes well above and beyond the call of Pickleball duty. The The Passing Of The Pickle is akin a collegiate football player being awarded the Heisman trophy. Johnny and Carol initiated a Pickleball course for beginners under the OLLIE program at Furman University. They rustled up paddles and balls, conducted several classes and trained about a dozen players over a period of several weeks. Some of the newbies continued on and came to Gower where they received more instructions from J and C and other UPGers. Some of those new players are - or, soon will be hard core UPG players. Good show Johnny and Carol and congratulations. PS: The Pickle survives best if it spends at least part of the year on a Christmas Tree.

Below: Carol and Johnny displaying the Pickle w/ Jan looking on.



 End of story. Until next year, that is. For a complete history of THE  PASSING OF THE PICKLE scroll down to the next posting.

 

See you on the courts.

Spike

PASSING THE PICKLE - A HISTORY

 

 

THE HISTORY OF THE PASSING THE PICKLE

The tradition started when Mike and Ann acquired the pickle ornament shown above. During our 1st Christmas Party (December 15, 2009) at Corona's Mike awarded the Pickle to Lynn and Ken in recognition of their introduction of Pickleball to The Upstate (imported, by them from Florida). Below is an actual unretouched photo of Ken's hand holding the Pickle (a Kosher pickle by the way).

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 for taking on the responsibilities of tending to the equipment, scheduling sessions and caring for the BLOG. Ron accepts the award below.

During our 2nd Annual Christmas/Holiday gathering at Jan's home on December 3, 2010 the award was presented to Steve (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.

The 4th Passing of the Pickle (During the 3rd Annual Christmas Party - December 14, at Gary's and Murial'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 H who kindly received the Pickle on behalf of Gary A. 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 A by Steve (presentation pictured below). Sharon 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.

The saga continues:

 

 The Passing Of The Pickle took place for the 5th time. The ocassion was the 4th Annual UPG Holiday Party, on December 5, 2012 at the Riverwalk Clubhouse. The much-sought after and Nationally hailed award was presented to Johnny and Carol during a solemn ceremony that reflected the significance of the event. The Kosher Pickle is awarded to UPGers whose contribution to our group and the promotion of Pickleball in general goes well above and beyond the call of Pickleball duty. The The Passing Of The Pickle is akin a collegiate football player being awarded the Heisman trophy. Johnny and Carol initiated a Pickleball course for beginners under the OLLIE program at Furman University. They rustled up paddles and balls, conducted several classes and trained about a dozen players over a period of several weeks. Some of the newbies continued on and came to Gower where they received more instructions from J and C and other UPGers. Some of those new players are - or, soon will be hard core UPG players. Good show Johnny and Carol and congratulations. PS: The Pickle survives best if it spends at least part of the year on a Christmas Tree.

　

Johnny and Carol displaying the Pickle w/ smiling Jan looking on. 

 

That's it for now folks.
Spike
December 7, 2012

Tuesday P'ball session - Dec. 4, 2012.

Above. Clockwise from top L: Chris, Kim, Jeff, Steve and Gary A.

 

 Seventy degrees and breezy. Perfect p'ball weather and players were out in force. Sixteen in all. Walt, Bob D, Peter, Carol, Johnny, Julia, Barbara, Kim, Jeff, Claude, Chris, Gary H, Gary A, Steve, Mike and Ron. So, with that crowd we easily kept 4 courts busy - even though, on some occasions players did plunk down and enjoy the balmy December weather.

Below. Counterclockwise from bottom R: Barbara, Julia/Peter, Gary H, Mike/Claude.



 

 Below from the northwest, easterly then southerly: Walt/Claude, Kim/Gary A, balls, etc.

Can't say too much about the session, except that there were a lot of games played, we had loads of fun and everyone stayed vertical. Also. We had one spectator - Josee, Claude's 'bride'. She is also a p'baller, but this day she decided to watch a little and walk a little.

Newsy stuff: Don D will be out of commission for a while. He recently had major rotator cuff surgery on his right shoulder. Unfortunately, that's his playing arm side. Hoping for a speedy recovery.

Tonight (depending on when you read this blurb) is the UPG Annual Seasonal Holiday Party. So far about 16 couples will attend the bash. To be held at the River Walk Clubhouse. See you there.

Spike