Hiwan Taps Tom Karas as Pickleball Pro

Long-time Evergreen pickleball player, coach and gold medal winner, Tom Karas will be the pickleball pro this summer at Hiwan Golf Club. Tom will be leading an event-filled pickleball program May 1 to Sept. 30.

Of course there are clinics for “Never Evers” and “Skills & Drills” for improving your game. Competitions like “One and Done,” and “Rotations” for men, women and teams will sharpen your skills and reduce unforced errors. Personal pointers from the pros for the asking. Youth programs for “Little Bangers” (ages 5-7), “Dinkers/Lobbers” (ages 8-12) and Teens (ages 13+) will be offered May and June. The social calendar is packed with a variety of Friday evening get togethers with the club’s tennis players. From “Wooden Paddles/Racquets” night to Hawaiian night the play may take a back seat to beverages under the umbrellas.

Tom plans to establish open play times and days by skill level. Courts will also be available for reservation. Semi-private and group lessons will be offered throughout the summer.

“We’re looking forward to playing pickleball in Evergreen again.,” Tom said. “You can’t beat the summer in the mountains for playing pickleball all day and into the evening.” Tom and his wife, Sue, live in the Phoenix desert but were long-time Evergreen residents. Read more about Tom’s history with pickleball in Evergreen.

Playing pickleball at HIwan Golf Club is restricted to members and their guests ($15 fee per guest.) Hopefully, EPC will be able to partner with Hiwan for an open house for the mountain pickleball community to play on the state-of-the-art courts.