It’s official: Marshdale courts have arrived
Jeff Sweet takes a photo while Bob Kerr and Betsy Hays prepare to cut the ribbon.
It has come to this, after 13 years. Ted Pritchett wanted to play pickleball in Evergreen, so he started a program in 2013. It was among the first 20 pickleball programs in Colorado. Play was three days a week from 9 to noon on two nets in the Wulf gym.
A lot of people worked hard to expand court time and court availability over the next 13 years, culminating in a ribbon-cutting ceremony Saturday for eight new dedicated pickleball courts at EPRD’s Marshdale Park
Brian Tucker, EPRD recreation manager, dangled a pair of giant red scissors and a roll of red crepe paper while people gathered for the official opening Saturday morning. EPRD board members Betsy Hays, Mary McGhee and Don Rosenthal (EPRD and EPC) were there, along with Executive Director Cory Vander Veen and Jeff Sweet, recreation supervisor-athletics. All three current and former Evergreen Pickleball Club presidents were on the courts for the celebration.
Perhaps most notable was a late arrival who came no closer than the high rocks to the north of the courts. A mountain goat made a lot of people wish they had telephoto lenses in their packs along with paddles. That’s rare, right? Mount Blue Sky, yes. Big rock in Marshdale, not so much.
Big Al Buenning, the first to serve as EPC president, reminded the crowd of how we came to this point. Current President Bob Kerr thanked EPRD for working with the club and the community to advance our playing opportunities. Bob Taber, who left the office of EPC president last year, said he was highly impressed with the quality of the new courts and lauded their importance to the local pickleball community.
Jeff Sweet, who is largely responsible for pickleball scheduling for the rec district, joined EPRD in 2013, a couple of years after Ted Pritchett started the pickleball program. He came to appreciate the club’s efforts to grow the sport and hopes EPRD and EPC endeavors such as tournaments can complement each other going forward.
Mary McGhee, EPRD first VP, submitted a comment to the EPC website after the ribbon cutting, recognizing a “great partnership” between the club and rec district, and thanking Bob Kerr for volunteering to drive one of the EPRD tractors—or heavy equipment of any kind, if it will further the cause of more pickleball courts.
The EPC growth All Buenning told the crowd about accelerated in 2015 when Sarah German got hooked on the sport and subsequently built an email list to which she sent out the first news updates to local pickleballers.
By early 2016, pickleball was growing quickly in Evergreen and around the country. Wulf had expanded to three courts and a tennis court at Marshdale was repurposed to create four pickleball courts for outdoor play.
Tom Karas, Evergreen’s first 5.0-rated player and national champion, organized the “Group of Five” to address growing pickleball issues in Evergreen and the mountain community. Joining Tom were Larry Flowers, Al Buenning, Kathy Fasold and Sarah German. All still play in Evergreen. Tom has moved to Arizona, but still visits.
To read the full EPC history, which is updated every year, click here to visit our website.
Jim Stafford takes a picture of that white dot on top of the rocks, which truly is a mountain goat.
Al Buenning, center, makes a point.
Three EPC presidents: from left, Bob Kerr, Al Buenning, Bob Taber
EPRD board members Mary McGhee, center left, and Betsy Hays, with Executive Director Cory Vander Veen at right. After the event, Betsy and Mary went to explore a new path that takes off from the west edge of the parking lot, between the courts and the bus barn.
‘Welcome Back’ tournament follows ribbon cutting
Sixteen advanced players competed in the “Welcome Back to Marshdale” tournament Saturday. Keyvan Izadi and Vladi Davtchev came out on top after a battle with David Smith and Larry Flowers. Third place went to Tim “Mac” McAleer and Giuliano Hofling.
“Thanks to everyone for playing in our tournament and attending the ribbon cutting at Marshdale on Saturday,” said tournament director and EPRD recreation supervisor Jeff Sweet. “Special thanks to Corinne for her pickleball expertise and positive attitude.”
He added that another EPRD tournament will take place indoors at Wulf, probably in December or January.
From left, Vladi Davtchev, David Smith, Larry Flowers and Keyvan Izadi. Winners Vladi and Keyvan earned gift certificates for Keys on the Green as well as their specially crafted trophies.
Tim “Mac” McAleer, right and Giuliano Hofling tap paddles with Keyvan and Vladi before their match. Mac and Giuliano took third place.
Jeff Sweet and Corinne Jackson look over the brackets.
Dan and Diane Goldstein, intrepid husband-wife competitors.
Another husband-wife team, Mike and Karen Morris, talk with Bob Kerr.