Gig Blitz tops sunny Round Robin at Mount Vernon
Keyvan Izadi, Jeff Dickenson, Gig Blitz, Larry Flowers.Gig first, Jeff second, Larry and Keyvan tied for third.
Kathy Kincannon surpassed herself with a glorious spread of healthful and tasty snacks.
Forty members took to the courts at Mount Vernon Canyon Club yesterday for the first EPC tournament of the 2024 season, a Round Robin. Gig Blitz finished atop Group 1, with a comfortable margin over her mixed doubles partner, Jeff Dickenson. Larry Flowers and Keyvan Izadi tied for third.
Other winners were Dan Goldstein, Group 2; Chris Courim, Group 3; James Boyce/Alli Moran, tie in Group 4; and Noell Jackson, Group 5.
Tournament director Mick Pearce presented modest monetary awards to those who finished in the top three in each group. He looks forward to the next tournament, the Dinkeroo at Third Shot Pickleball in Wheat Ridge, although he doesn’t care to remember when it is (July 11).
Mick said the show couldn’t have gone Saturday on without the help of volunteers Jeri Herskovits, Pat Theno, Jerry Beth Owen, Monte Poague, Linda Jacobsen, Kathy Fasold, Bill Black, Roger Miles, Kathy Kincannon, Jim Hunsaker and Travis Ervick, who coordinated the event for Mount Vernon.
Apologies for the blurry group photos. Guessing they were accidentally taken in portrait mode.
Mount Vernon Canyon Club hosted the 2024 EPC Round Robin since the Marshdale courts are under reconstruction. MVCC has four dedicated pickleball courts, but five courts were lined out on the tennis courts to accommodate the field of 40.
John Dunlop checks in competitors.
V is for Victory? Tournament director Mick Pearce lays down the law before the tournament starts.
Group 1: Keyvan Izadi, Gig Blitz, Larry Flowers, David Smith, Jeff Dickenson, Binki Thalmeier, Jack Darnell, Linda Strauss.
Jeri Herskovits tallies the Group 1 final scores with John Dunlop beside her. Standing, from left, David Smith, Gig Blitz, Larry Flowers and Jeff Dickenson.
Larry Flowers and Keyvan Izadi
Group 2
Dawn Whitmer was stoked about her second-place finish in a field of eight guys, but Dan Goldstein took home the gold. Todd Landrum was awarded third place in error, as the scoresheet shows Randy Heern actually ended in third place.
Maybe the photo below of Randy and his wife, Louise (she competed in Group 5), will help make it up to him, as well as his prize money. “I received an email from Mick telling me of my good fortune,” Randy said. “My wife has been on Amazon seeing where she can spend the $10.”
Todd courageously handled the news of his devastating demotion to fourth: “Well, dang. I wanted that sweet, sweet newsletter fame.” You got it.
Group 2: Dan Goldstein at right, first place; Dawn Whitmer, second; Todd Landrum, not third.
Official Group 2 third-place finisher Randy Heern and his wife, Louise.
Group 2: Erich Meyer, Linda Jacobsen (who graciously subbed in for a no-show), Randy Heern, Roger Miles (replaced by Bill Black after injury), Pat Bixenman, Todd Landrum, Dawn Whitmer, Dan Goldstein
Erich Meyer and Linda Jacobsen
Dawn Whitmer and Dan Goldstein warm up.
Group 3
Chris Courim came out on top in this group, strongly challenged by the colorful Rae Boyce. Dale Jeffries rounded out the top three.
Group 3: Chris Courim in center, first place, Rae Boyce second, Dale Jeffries third
Group 3: Chris Courim, Tamra Hall, Bob Taber, Rae Boyce, Dale Jeffries, Elizabeth Barmann, Don Marshall, Diane Morton
Elizabeth Barmann and Dale Jeffries
Really wanted to use this picture of Bob Taber and Mick Pearce even though Don Marshall is being a brat.
Group 4
Group 4 had a blast. They praised each other, the courts, the food, the organization, the weather and, most especially, the seeding committee for assembling a well matched group. In the end, Alli Moran and James Boyce tied for first, Julie Ann Courim was second and Claudia Lennox and Taryn Young tied for third.
Group 4: James Boyce and Alli Moran at left, first place; Julie Ann Courim in center, second place; Claudia Lennox and Taryn Young, tied for third
Group 4: James Boyce, Susan Dickenson, Alli Moran, Julie Ann Courim, Claudia Lennox, Dawn Satchell, Taryn Young, Dave Young
No poor losers here, just happy campers.. Clockwise from Taryn Young holding the ball, Alli Moran, Susan Dickenson, Julie Anne Courim.
Julie Ann Courim and Claudia Lennox discuss proper partner play.
Reliably outgoing Alli Moran and Dawn Satchell wanted their picture taken. And why not?
Dave and Taryn Young
Group 5
Noell Jackson edged Rebecca Rutherford for first place, with Diane Goldstein and Dwight Alexander tying for third. This group had the distinct privilege of playing closest to a pasture dotted with horses. The horses were the subject most likely to be suggested for a photograph, by far.
Group 5: Noell Jackson at right, first; Rebecca Rutherford at left, second; Dwight Alexander and Diane Goldstein, tied for third
Group 5: Dwight Alexander, Shawn Durand, Karen Morris, Louise Heern, Noell Jackson, Rebecca Rutherford, Donna Henderson, Diane Goldstein
Noell Jackson and Dwight Alexander
Louise Heern and Shawn Durand
Rebecca Rutherford, foreground, and Diane Goldstein
The horses.
It’s all over: Dawn Satchell peels up some tournament tape.
This is the type of shade structure we hope to have at Marshdale, although length may vary.
Courts are open for play
Marshdale Elementary and Evergreen Middle courts are open every day now. Permanent nets provided at EMS, temporary nets available at Marshdale Elementary. Watch for another newsletter with more details in the next couple days.