Archive for "Pickleball"
How Far Will You Drive to Pickle?
Posted on March 30, 2023 by Ching under Pickleball, Travel.
I answered this question recently when I drove six hours round trip to play some practice games with my friend Parker Ward. To be fair, Parker isn’t just “any” friend. He’s my Minto US Open Pickleball Championships mixed doubles partner, who I have never played with and it was important for us to get some court time together. We are playing Mixed Doubles Age 25+ on Tuesday, April 18, and Mixed Doubles Skill/Age 4.0 19+ on Friday, April 21.
I made the mistake of looking up all the other teams and there are some seriously skilled players, specially on Tuesday since it’s an open skill event. I really enjoyed playing with Parker and I felt like we had good on-court chemistry and communication (and I absolutely LOVE playing with lefties) so I am optimistic and have high hopes that we will do well together regardless of the tough adversaries we might face at the tournament.
Anyway, I honestly don’t make it a habit to drive several hours for recreational or practice play but Parker and I had originally signed up to play a DUPR Waterfall event that day. However, there were only two teams in our division so it got canceled. I could have played in the lower division but they wouldn’t allow Parker to play down and the whole point of it was for us to play some games together so we didn’t end up playing in the Waterfall but they did have an extra court for us to use for practice. That was nice.
I didn’t mind driving up because I had originally planned to be there anyway. Also, it gave me a chance to watch and cheer for some friends who were competing in the other levels. Also, I finally got to meet Carolina Mayorga-Perry who I am huge fan of — she is the cousin of one of our Wichita players, Diego Mayorga, and she happened to stop by to watch him play.
Here’s a pic of my “baby” partner, Parker. Funny thing is he showed up that morning with the same pickleball backpack as me. We didn’t realize it but we bought the exact same bag around the same time. We might be 20 years apart in age but we might have more in common than we realize. As they say, “Great minds think alike!” If this isn’t a sign of chemistry, I don’t know what is. Anyway, I’m taking it as a positive omen for a successful tournament next month.
Speaking of traveling far and wide, I drove almost three hours South this past weekend for another DUPR “Double Dip” — Caroline Luelf was hosting a special women’s doubles DUPR event at La Fortune (Tulsa) on Saturday and I knew that Tanner Rice usually had a Friday night DUPR at Hidden Trails (Oklahoma City). Tanner’s events are usually pretty flexible so I talked him into doing a mixed ladder so that me and my APP Cincinatti partner Eric Bunch could get some practice games together. He’s another player who I am playing with for the first time. It’s not quite a blind date because I’ve seen him at tournaments before and we’ve actually played against each other at least twice but we’ve never been on the same side of the net. Anyway, this is my life because I don’t have a set/permanent doubles partner for either mixed or gender.
There were some pretty good pickleball players who came out that night so we got some good games in. Overall, I think we performed as expected but I thought it was good considering it was our first time playing together. He was super nice, very patient, and he didn’t get mad at me. I think we communicated well with one another. I actually quite enjoyed playing with him and am adding him to my “Yes” list (should he ask me to team up in the future — though this is doubtful because he has at least two regular partners from his hometown: Mia Dunagan and Genevieve Eskridge — I just happened to luck out that neither were available for the tournament). I also lucked out that we had previously met at tournaments and had generally good rapport because he got hit up by at least four other women to partner up for the APP Cincinnati tournament. He said one even wrote a very lengthy email about how he should pick her if he wanted to win (complete with a listing of her many accomplishments). So now, besides my goal of earning my “golden ticket” at this tournament, I also have the added pressure of making sure that I deliver so that I can prove the he made the right choice.
I played with Eric on Friday night, spent the night in OKC, and then drove to Tulsa for Caroline’s DUPR event the next day. Caroline hosts these massive DUPR match sessions and this one was no exception. There were 56 women who participated, and I think 9 teams in our group. It was really good practice for me and my friend Katie Merrill who is my women’s doubles partner for the US Open. We are playing in Women’s Doubles Age 35+ on Monday, April 17, and Women’s Doubles Skill/Age 3.5 35+ on Thursday, April 20. I’ve know Katie a while but this is also our first tournament together.
Anyway, I didn’t want to drive home at night and Katie graciously let me spend the night at her house on Saturday so I got bonus play with Will Chiang (aka Pickleball Will) and his friend Carlos Vreeland at the Tulsan Athletic Club the next morning.
I have been a huge fan of Will’s since I first met him almost two years ago so this has got to be the highlight of the trip. I watch the Pickleball Studio all the time on YouTube and Brian was surprised to see him in the pics. I explained that he is good friends with Katie and I just lucked out that morning that they needed people to play with. I got to be their 4th!
Sometimes it pays to be at the right place at the right time. As for me, I think I am exactly where I’m meant to be, playing pickleball, and making new friends.
Until next time, GNG.
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Dream Team Doubles — Over and Under
Posted on March 9, 2023 by Ching under Events, Pickleball.
Last year we had a couple of Dream Team Doubles team tournaments at Riverside Tennis Center. This time Noi wanted to do something different. He wanted to include a population of player that usually gets left out of team events. The twist on this recent team event is that at least two of the members of the four-person team had to be 55 and over.
I always enjoy running these events because it gives me a creative outlet for creating some tournament worksheets, which kind of my jam. I shared about it in the ictpickleball.com site.
Here are a few pictures from the event…
Noi Sourinthone – the main pickleball guy.
Erica Case and Cindy Egan
Patti’s Ballers (Wanda Ballard, Dustin Herman, Brady Randall, and Patti Mackey)
JB and the Dinkers (Nathan Peters, Erica, JB West, and Kari Steffy)
NOIsy Picklers (Steve McKinney, Noi, Shelley McKinney, and Katelyn Goldsmith)
Paddle CERJ (Robert Mansfield, Jenny Corley, Cindy Egan, and Ed Egan) — They were the champions of the event.
Left: Team KSBS (Scott Wolford, Becci Young, Kay Schierling, and Stephen Wilson)
Right: Let’s Taco ‘Bout It (Parrish Gumeringer, Ramon Lozano, Fernando Martinez, and Dawn Hazelwood)
These were the top three finishers:
1) Paddle CERJ
2) Team KSBS
3) Let’s Taco ‘Bout It
What I love about this event is seeing a diverse group of players of all ages come together and play as a team. It was so much fun to run and so much fun to watch.
Erica generously hosted an after party at one of her restaurants. It was me and Brian’s first time at Hurricane and we really liked it. It’s clear on the opposite side of town as us but we’d likely go back.
Here’s a highlight video I create of the pictures and video clips from the event.
Anyway, it seemed like everyone had a great time. Can’t wait until the next team event! Until then, GNG.
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Queen of the Courts at Sandbox
Posted on February 5, 2023 by Ching under Food and Drink, Pickleball.
I haven’t been posting about the Queen of Courts because (a) we’ve had a few of them now, and (b) I think grandma is tired of reading about pickleball all the time. LOL. I have to post about the QoC we had at Sandbox last weekend, though, because it is quite special. Shawna Hight and Gloria Otis, a couple of ladies from the Tulsa, OK area, came to join us.
Here are a few pictures of Colby Fugit, who once again reigned supreme.
Colby was the reigning queen going into the session and won again on Sunday so she and Karen Fox are tied for the record of two back to back wins.
Shawna, Gloria, and I stayed for late lunch after playing. Here are some pics of our food.
It was so nice to have the two of them join us for QoC. I have driven down to OKC and Tulsa for DUPR sessions but never in my wildest dreams thought anyone would actually come up here to play with us. Anyway, this session had several new players participate in it also, so it was special in more ways than one.
I am so grateful for the wonderful pickleball community we have here. The ladies are so welcoming, and Shawna and Gloria fit right in. It’s awesome how this sport just brings everyone together.
Colby left her crown with me so we could play for it without her since she’s out of town the next couple of weeks but I am doing some mixed and men’s DUPR sessions instead that way she has the opportunity to also play and defend her title. I am looking forward to having our next QoC when she’s back. I am also looking forward to the next tournament when I can see Shawna and Gloria again. They are both so nice and so fun!
Until next time, GNG.
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You Can’t Pickle All Day If You Don’t Start at 7 AM
Posted on February 3, 2023 by Ching under Pickleball.
Huyen invited me play pickleball at 7:30 AM on Saturday before I found out about Katie and Marva coming through Wichita on the way to Great Bend last weekend. I had accepted because I can’t pass up a chance to play pickleball, specially with a solid group. Huyen originally invited Fong, Karen, Greta, and me and just took the first people to reply. Fong, Karen, and I replied first but so that was the foursome but then Karen had an emergency and backed out so Huyen reached out to Greta who surprisingly accepted. Anyway, at 6 AM on Saturday morning, Huyen texted me that we were short a player because Greta backed out. I was like, “What happened to Karen?” That’s when she told me that Karen backed out due to a personal issue and she got Greta. I was told Huyen I was surprised that Greta even agreed to play because she doesn’t do early mornings. “Did she think you meant 7:30 PM? LOL.” Huyen was worried we would have to cancel because we wouldn’t be able to find anyone to fill in on such short notice.
I told Huyen Katie was in town and she’s a morning person so I was pretty sure she’s already awake. Anyway, I texted Katie who was downstairs and let her know that we were short a player for the morning game. Thankfully, Katie was down to play and so we were able to complete our group and get our game on.
I was originally worried about inviting Marva also but Katie told me she’s not a morning person. Katie and I agreed that we should let Marva sleep in and just leave her a note so that she wouldn’t freak out when she wakes up and no one is home. Brian had Saki’s vet appointment and then grandma that morning.
I found this note from Katie downstairs today, still on the bar in the basement. I guess Marva never saw it. LOL.
It worked out great having Katie in town. She is so much fun and fit in with us Asians perfectly. I had a blast and I think as did everyone.
As we were wrapping up, I asked Katie if she had heard from Marva and she told me that Marva was finally awake and texted that she was cold. I texted Brian to turn up the heat, which he can do from his phone.
I had said goodbye to both of them on Friday night because I had planned to go to Chicken N Pickle in the morning and then go to check out the pickleball at Towne West Mall straight from there but, since Katie filled in, we just carpooled and so I brought her back home before going to the mall.
When we got down to the basement, Marva was cuddled on the couch with a blanket. She hadn’t seen a note and had no idea that we’d even been gone. She thought this entire time Katie was still sleeping her in her. She was like, “I guess she was really tired from last night.” And she just let her sleep. Or so she thought.
After taking a quick shower, the three of us took off. I took off for the mall and the two of them went on their way to Great Bend to make the 1 PM open play. Their tournament was the following day.
I made a short video of some of the pics I took at the mall. I finally met Heather Harrison, the brilliant woman who came up with the idea to make use of the commons area. No one was coming to the mall anyway so might as well make use of the space, right? She had been inviting me to come check it out on Facebook but I’d been out of town for tournaments and other things and, honestly, I’d been hesitant to check it out because I wasn’t sure I would like playing on the tile floors. But, much to my surprise, it actually wasn’t that bad.
I played a couple of games — which, I have to say, I did not hate — and I met so me new people — which is always my jam. I had a great time.
Bottom line, pickleball at the mall is not just a great idea, it’s a win for everyone. Firstly, it’s getting people to actually go to the mall. I’m pretty sure I haven’t been in Towne West in over 10 years (maybe even 20) and it gave me a reason to go. And, while there, I realized there’s like a Dillard’s Clearance store, which I didn’t even know existed. You better believe, I’ll be back to check out that winter sale in a few weeks. Secondly, it’s making use of unused space. Instead of the commons area just sitting empty, now there’s at least some activity happening there. Thirdly, with the lack of court availability in the winter time, it’s giving players another option. Yes, the tile floors aren’t idea but they’re not that bad and it’s better than not playing at all. Finally, it’s introducing pickleball to a whole new group of people who may not be familiar with the sport. Mall walkers are seeing how much fun the picklers are having and they’re getting curious and taking it up.
Heather promotes the open plays on Facebook and posts the times on PlaytimeScheduler. The open play drop in rate is $5 per person and then when open plays are not in session and the courts are available for rent, you can rent them for $12 per court per hour. She currently has three courts set up.
The Saturday open play sessions typically start at 10:00 AM and go until 12:30 PM. Tomorrow looks like a good day to check it out. You can sign up here. If you do go, tell Heather that Ching sent you! Until next time, GNG.
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Picklemania at the OKC Life Time
Posted on January 28, 2023 by Ching under Pickleball, Travel.
When Chris Wilson asked me to play 50/50 with him in Picklemania at the Oklahoma City Life Time location, I said yes without hesitation for several reasons.
- Chris was my first ever tournament partner and I love playing with him.
- I love tournaments in Oklahoma because they are so well-organized, well-run, and they always provide snacks. Picklemania even included lunch.
- I welcome any excuse to travel to Oklahoma and hang out with all my OK pickleball friends because they are fantastic.
Obviously, I like to make the most of my trips so I didn’t want to play in just one event so I had to secure partners for women’s and mixed doubles also. I originally asked my friend Ramon Lozano but he turned me down because he didn’t think the competition would be worthwhile (because at the time I asked him, I think around November time frame, none of the upper divisions players had signed up). He encouraged me to find another partner because he didn’t want me to miss out. Luckily, I met this guy named Casey Dominguez in Tulsa when I did my DUPR #DoubleDip during Thanksgiving weekend. Casey is from Arkansas but happened to be at La Fortune for the DUPR event also.
Anyway, Ramon was looking at the men’s group and decided he could team up with Casey and play in the 5.0 division. So then he needed a partner. He asked our friend Katie Merrill several times who I also asked to play with me in women’s but at the time she was thinking she would take a break in January. Anyway, while the three of us were in Kansas City for the DUPR Teams event at Northland Racquet Club, Jenny Marcos asked Katie to play also. Jenny is amazing and one simply does not pass on an opportunity like this one so obviously it was a sign that Katie was meant to play. So the two people I had originally asked to play who didn’t plan on playing actually ended up playing and together.
Honestly, this could have caused a lot of drama but, because I am me, it wasn’t a big deal. I managed to find other partners to play with and so it all worked out great for everyone. There were no hurt feelings or damaged friendships and, as far as I could tell, everyone had a great time.
Chris and I both took the day off because were were playing on Friday afternoon. I ended up riding down to OKC with him since Brian had to work. Once Brian got off work, he picked Saki up from the house and headed down.
Here are a couple of pics from Friday.
We didn’t do great but I always have a great time playing. The one thing I’ve learned about myself is that my game continues to evolve. Now that I am working on offense, I am less patient and sometimes initiate speed ups prematurely. I think the key is being patient when needed and starting firefights at the appropriate times. I’m learning and growing so I really can’t complain.
Also, side note, the teams we played against were pretty amazing so I really don’t feel bad for how we performed. I think we did well, all things considered.
I mean, check out these DUPRs.
I feel like we played in the correct division but were definitely out-gunned.
Saturday was gender doubles day. I teamed up with my friend Cindy Egan. We didn’t do as well as we’d hoped but wasn’t really out of the norm for me because I always struggle in women’s doubles. Also, we had to play against some young, very athletic women. It was a tough pool. Oklahoma players are legit.
Here are some of my favorite pictures from Sunday, mixed doubles day.
This is my friend Antonio Lares, who I first met about a year and a half ago when a group of us went down to the Oklahoma City Chicken N Pickle for Patrick Smith and Lauren Stratman’s pickleball clinic.
Katie and Ramon on mixed doubles day, with me and Casey in the background. Katie and Ramon played in 5.0 division while Casey and I played in 4.5 so we didn’t have to play against one another.
Here’s a close up of me and Casey in the background.
I had so much fun playing with Casey on Sunday. There were five teams in our group and we lost to only one team and only by one measly point.
I was having such a great run. I hit several inside outs (five in one game). I usually say “Yup!” whenever I hit a winner and Casey said I was saying “Yup!” so early, not even before the ball lands but sometimes as I am actually hitting the ball.
I honestly think we could have medaled (maybe even won Gold), we just got a little over confident. And then, we didn’t realize we were still in it so Casey went to the locker room and took a shower a little prematurely. Tanner had to go get him back out so we could play for bronze.
We ended up losing that match against Deana Holman and Isaiah McAllister.
This is my friend Tanner who came to hang out Friday, Saturday, and Sunday even though he wasn’t playing. He gets the credit for a lot of these photos. He’s was a true MVP actually because he took care of EVERYONE.
Tanner looked up DUPRs for all the teams in the various brackets, refilled my water several times, tracked down gum for Katie when she needed it most, took pictures and videos for all of us so we could have some awesome clips from the weekend, and even took one for team and went into the locker room to get Casey back out for our bronze match. He truly went above and beyond.
Ramon, Casey, and Casey’s wife Kayla.
One last selfie with Katie as she was getting ready to fly back home to Tulsa.
Anyway, no pics of Brian because he was tied up on Saturday helping his dad replace their hot water heater and then, on Sunday, we had to check out of the hotel so he and Saki went and hung out at his mom and dad’s house until I was done. Of course, we ended up taking a little bit longer than I thought because we ended up playing one more game which we didn’t realize we had to; thus, Casey ended up having to shower twice. Oops!
Ironically, I told myself I didn’t want any more medals (except for some specific ones that are on my list for this year — US Open and Nationals) so I pretty much achieved my goal. LOL. I did come away with a few new friends which are more valuable than any medals I could bring home.
I guess that pretty much catches us up. Until next time, GNG.
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