Hickory Nut Gorge Olympiad - P'ball Games - 8/26/2011 - REVISED

L-R: Gary A, Claude, Ron, Sharon, Jan, Anne, David H, Catherine, Mike and Steve.

The above Upstate Pickleballers, including Johnny and Carol (not in photo) competed in the Pickleball Games on a veeery hot day at the Rambling Bald Resort on Lake Lure, NC. Peter and Josee were also on hand to cheer everyone on. The event was well organized. The matches started at about 9:30 AM, when there was still a little shade on the courts. Hosts Smoke, Libby and their crew kept things moving (no simple chore), provided much needed yummies and fluids and kept track of all of the matches - at times, four going on at one time. There was plenty of stiff competition and it made for an exciting day. The final match ended about 3:30 PM. Congratulations to all the players from Hendersonville, Lake Keowee, Lake Lure and our group who toughed it out in the blazing heat, and against some hard-core competitors. Upstate Pickleballers battled hard and took home these medals: Mixed doubles. Gold: Jan and Mike; Silver: Carol and Steve; Bronze: Anne and Gary A . Women's doubles. Bronze: Sharon and Anne. Men's doubles. Bronze: Steve and Mike.  Congratz to all.

Above: Carol and Steve and their shadows compete and win the silver.

Above: Anne and Sharon proudly display their medals.

Above: L-R: Anne, Sharon, Gary A, Catherine, David, Peter, Jan and Claude. All trying to cool down. That wet spot by Anne's feet is what was left of Steve after he completely dehydrated. Soon after, a good Samaritan gave Steve an electrolyte drink. Steve promptly morphed back into a Pickleball player and he and partner Mike went on to play two more games - winning one of them to bag the Bronze in men's doubles.

Win or lose, we had a good time and met some fine folks and rekindled friendships we've made during other p'ball events. Thanks to Gary A for working closely with Smoke and our crew to set up our participation in the event. A lot of work. Much appreciated.

PS: UPGers should be sure to check your email as a series of photos of the event have been sent to you, and a video by Richard Stone has been sent as well. Spike

UPG - Home & Away - P'ball - August 27, 2010

Home: Steve reports that 10 players were present for p'ball action. Johnny, Carol, Jan, Catherine, Dave H, Bob H, Claude, Ray, Charlie and Steve. The courts were wet, but the troops soon dried them and got heavy into the game. Many good games followed.

Away: A contingent from the UPG traveled to Lake Lure, NC to participate in the Hickory Nut Gorge Olympiad Pickleball competition @ the beautiful Rumbling Bald Resort: Sharon (Cupcake to her friends) and I (Spike) formed a mixed doubles team to begin play at noon. John (Dr. John, the Spinmaster and now 'Johnny-come-lately') and I formed a men's double team to begin play at 10:00. Pete Fallon was also in attendance as our cheering section, general all-around-handy-man, good-guy and un-official second to fill in for John. Pete was wearing leather deck shoes. I said he may have to fill in for John in case he didn't show up. Pete gamely, snugged up his shoes and was going to play. That's pretty hard core. Lucky for Pete, John and his darling wife Judy, arrived a few minutes after 10:00, having missed a turn somewhere en route (wind was a factor). After some rushing around, we were able to play our match and Peter, thankfully, was able to loosen up his leather laces. Phew! John and I won our 1st round two games to zip. In the 2nd round we were soundly thumped 0-2. But, we managed to get a third place ranking and were awarded medals to prove it. Cupcake and I won our first round in three games; lost the first, but won the 2nd & 3rd both times coming back from 5-2 deficits. In the next round we met up with two toughies from the Hendersonville and they promptly blew us to smithereens.

We had a great time with a nice group of p'ballers. The event was exceptionally well organized. We (listen to this: played with only two balls per match - no kidding). The hosts provided ball shaggers. Pretty high-end, eh?

This was the first time for the Pickleball event in the Olympiad. Hopefully, it will be included in next year. If so, perhaps the UPG can rustle up a bigger contingent and go to Lake Lure in full force. It was a fun experience, not a bad drive, nice courts with wide, blue p'ball lines, stiff but friendly competition, excellent facilities and beautiful scenery. Can't beat that!

Big thanks to Smoke for keeping our group apprised about the events.

Sorry about the short 'home' blurb and wordy 'away' report and the first-person narrative.

Spike

UPG - Another scorcher - July 30, 2010

Twelve UPGers showed up on this hot day, and they (we) played like there was no tomorrow. Chew on that for a while, Claude! In attendance: Jan, Johnny, Dave H, Catherine, Claude, Peter, Ralph, Mike, Anne, Muriel, Sharon & Ron. Spidy is featured as today's poster boy in recognition of his hard-butt mode of playing. He and a team-mate came back from an 8-2 deficit to win the game 14-12; during the match he executed either a somersault or a one-handed cartwheel (neither very well done) and ended up on his back where he stayed for a few minutes gathering himself. At the end of the session he took on two seasoned players in two Canadian doubles matches and won both handily. Good show Spidy.Catherine and David were back on the scene after a short hiatus. But, they soon got into the swing of things - pardon the pun. Catherine also took some of the photos you see here. Tnx. Otherwise, we played through the heat, welcomed the occasional, but short-lived breezes and even managed a few good natured pot shots in the process of having another grand old time on the courts.

Have a good weekend. Rest up and be ready to play again next week.

Spike

Sizzling P'ball - June 25, 2010

Steve reports that it was a sizzling day, but 11 toughies showed up and had some fiery matches including some tight ones. Players: Mike, Bob H, Charlie, Lynne, Jan, Anne, Pete, Catherine, Dave H, Johnny & Steve.

Keep up the good work. We start heading east today.

Spike & Cupcake
Wandering reporters.
Keystone, SD (2 miles from Mt Rushmore).

Action-packed Upstate Pickleball - 5/28/2010

We had a full complement of players (16) and tons of fun on this HOT Friday. Players: Johnny, Mike, Steve, Ray, Charlie, Jan, Anne, Catherine, David H, Bob H, Bob T, Lynne, Joanie, Peter, Muriel and your leader by default. Sharon (Bag Lady for the day) was the only spectator. She pulled a muscle (she begged me not to say where) on Tuesday, so she spent this session shagging balls and placing them in a plastic bag. Thus: Bug Lady. We had a mysterious player (shown above) who appeared out of no where, played a few masterful games and disappeared right when it clouded over?

Jan was back in action today having just returned from a trip 'across the pond' and Anne (Pit Bull) just returned from 2 weeks gallivanting around the East Coast. But, they soon got into the swing of things (so to speak) and played hard and fast. We were a little crowded, with 16 players, but no one minded sitting out a little longer than usual - so, it wasn't a big problem. But, we are hoping like crazy that the courts at Gowers Park will be ready soon.

We have been having great turnouts and terrific competition, but we hope some of our long-lost pals will come around. We need a few more characters who are willing and able to take the heat: the heat of the game and the heat of the bantering. Both equally fun. Have a safe holiday and don't forget to fly "Old Glory". See you next week.

Spike

PS: Pictures can be enlarged by left-clicking on them. This includes the collages. Ed in Chief.

Pickleball Adventure - March 5, 2010

Above: Rebecca, about to mash a forehander. The recipient of her return should be discharged soon and is expected to be back on the courts an a few months.

We had a near-record crowd on this bright, windy day including two newbies pictured somewhere below. In attendance and having fought fiercely throughout the entire 2-1/2 hour event: Johnny, Rich (one of the first-timers, - all the way from Beaufort, SC), Jan, Ralph, Bob H, Bob R. (newbie, but a quick study), Mike, Catherine, Dave H. (aka David), Rebecca, Anne, Gary, Sharon and this blurbist (This word is not in Webster's Collegiate Dictionary - Tenth Edition - but, it should be. Commit it to memory).

Above: The Peanut Gallery.
Below: Johnny, returns a shot as Dave H looks on.

Below: Bob R. Is about to smear the ball with an under-cut, forehander. His first time @ P'ball, but like most tennis players, he caught onto the game quickly.

Below: Jan at, but not over the red line, prepares to put away a mis-placed lob.

Below: Rich and Sharon are ready for a return from their opponents. Rich plays tennis, racquetball and other sports. He got in the groove immediately, and was able to keep track of the score, something that even some of the 'veteran players' have a problem with, especially after a lengthy rally. But, we are working on it. We have the time!

'Catherine the Great' took over the photojournalistic duties and shot several rolls of film which is no simple chore with a digital camera. She took many photos including the one below. This game is best when played with a paddle, though none is evident in my right hand.

As always, we had many exciting matches, made somewhat challenging due to swirling wind-gusts. And, as usual we had an 'incident'. In this case, Spidy and Buckeye were playing against the formidable team of Cupcake and Jan. S & B were building a worthy lead. Spidy seemed to be taking most of the shots on his side of the net, leaving Buckeye standing around twiddling his thumbs to kill time. In an overwhelming act of kindness Spidy fetched a chair for Bucky and placed it on the playing court so he could rest his weary bones while Spidy single-handedly held off the competition. Somewhat later in the match - as Cupcake and Jan battled for the lead, Spidy sat in the chair and allowed Buckeye to have a few shots. S&B eventually won the match but, as expected the outcome of the match is being challenged by the much disgruntled team of C&F. The Upstate Pickleball Rules Committee (TUPRC - pronounced Tup -er-see), will meet within the next few months to decide, if a rule should be enacted to prevent the introduction chairs and/or other appurtenances on the court during play? Will advise accordingly.

We'll be playing next week.

Spike