Women’s Doubles Canceled, Mixed Doubles set for Sept. 14
The Women’s Doubles Tournament, rescheduled from earlier this summer due to construction at Marshdale, has been canceled due to lack of entries. The cancellation follows on the heels of a successful Geezer Games last Wednesday, but that tournament drew 40 competitors compared to 48 last year.
We are hoping there is enough interest to conduct the Mixed Doubles Tournament Saturday, Sept. 14, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. “We currently have six teams and one single (male-3.5, who needs a partner),” tournament director Mick Pearce said today. “We need an absolute minimum of 16 teams, and preferably 24 teams. If we don’t have 16 teams, we’ll have to cancel this one, too.” Our club rents the courts from EPRD, and there are other expenses, involved as well as plentiful volunteer hours.
Eight dedicated pickleball courts means the double-elimination tournament can include up to 32 teams in multiples of eight. Teams will be placed in brackets based on skill level. The first match is best of three games to 11. Winners move on in the bracket, while losing teams match up for one game to 15, rally scoring. The eventual winners in the lower bracket will take on the winners in the upper bracket.
Register here until midnight Tuesday, Sept. 10. The fee is $25 per person ($50 per team). Sign up for the required EPC membership here. If you don’t have a partner, we’ll try to find you one, just check the box on your registration form.
Post-play, Mick will present prizes to the top three finishers in each group.
If you don’t want to/can’t play, consider volunteering to help run the tournament. Scorekeeping and other jobs need to be filled; please email Mick if you’re willing to pitch in. There will be a meeting at Marshdale for everyone working the tournament on Friday morning, Sept. 13.
Players should arrive around 7:30 a.m. Saturday. Sept. 14, for warmup. Please (we’re begging you) be there no later than 7:45 and to be sure to check in when you arrive. “Late players cause consternation and no-shows cause chaos,” Mick said in something of an understatement.
We are very happy and grateful to have Sisters & Company in downtown Evergreen sponsoring Mixed Doubles this year.
New Comp/Rec division of Marshdale courts, bleachers coming this week
It’s been a bit of a bumpy road since the fresh new courts at Marshdale opened Aug. 15. All hardware isn’t in place, nor are all systems. But the players are flocking to the scene nonetheless, and conflict has occurred. We may not have an app for that, but improvements are on the way, as explained by EPC President Bob Kerr below. We know months aren’t exactly four weeks, so stay tuned.
“General consensus seems to be that Competitive and Recreational play should be divided into the four east and four west courts, separated by the movable fence that runs north to south,” Bob said. “In the interest of sharing the sunny side (courts 3, 4, 5, 6) and the shady side (courts 1, 2, 7, 8), especially this time of year, we are going to alternate Recreational and Competitive courts every other week.
“Starting this week Comp will be on the west courts and Rec on the east. From then on, Comp will play on the west courts the first and third weeks of the month and Rec will play on the west courts the second and fourth weeks of every month.
“We will also combine the two individual paddle holders at each end so that they will serve the four courts instead of just two. With the fall season upon us it seems like a good time to give this a try. We’ll see how it goes.
“Eight-foot bleachers, donated by club members, will be installed at the east and west ends of the Marshdale courts this week and both ends will have plenty of seating. We will follow with installing sun sail shades over those areas. EPC will donate the sun shades as well as the labor to install the bleachers and shades.
“I hope these changes will enhance play and make flow on and off the courts better for us all. Thanks to everyone for the input and suggestions, keep them all coming.”
Thanks, Bob, we needed that.