Our Dinner with Champions
Posted on August 21, 2023 by Ching under Community, Pickleball.
Since all of the younger professional pickleball players were getting all the attention and hype from the pickleball tours, the senior pros created their own league. If you are age 50 or over (49 turning 50 that year counts), then you are eligible to compete in senior pickleball events.
National Pickleball League (NPL) is a professional tour created by champions (aka senior pros) for champions. A couple of weeks ago NPL was at our local Chicken N Pickle for one of their tour stops so I volunteered and got to watch and experience the team event unfold. It was electrifying and inspiring at the same time. If I continue to work to get better and improve my pickleball game, I could be part of this thing in five years (if it’s still around, hopefully – LOL).
When the event wrapped on Sunday, the OKC Punishers celebrated at Jose Pepper’s next to Chicken N Pickle. Brian and I got invited by the two members (now friends) who we were hosting that weekend so we got to spend some time and bond with the team which is currently #1 in the league going into the San Antonio event. Here’s a picture of their amazing team.
Note that their #1 female Beth Bellamy isn’t in the photo because she wasn’t feeling well at the end. Maureen O’Malia actually had to play her final match for her. O’Malia was up for the challenge and played lights out that last match.
Here’s a picture of me and Brian with OKC Punisher Carrina de Vera and her wife Deb. They stayed with us that weekend. They were wonderful guests and event brought a present for Brian and I with various goodies (handmade soap, loofah, lip balm, etc.) from a local soap shop in Ohio which I cannot wait to try.
Here’s a picture of us with Jenny Marcos, #2 female for OKC Punishers. She plays in the top matches with Beth Bellamy. I’ve actually known Jenny for some time through various mutual friends and we got to hang out with her a bit during the US Open this year in Naples. Jenny ended up not being able to stay for dinner because she wanted to drive home that same night and didn’t want to get home super late. We offered to have her stay another night (Carrina and Deb’s flight wasn’t until Monday morning) but Jenny had some lessons or appointments/commitments in the morning that she couldn’t miss.
This woman is amazing and I want to be an amazing senior pro pickleball player/champion just like her when I grow up.
We were lucky that Jose Pepper’s was able to accommodate our large group.
I wish Jenny could have stayed but getting home safely is more important. We had a great time overall. Brian and I are both grateful to be included.
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