Field of Dreams

Last year Pat Carroll, San Diego Senior Olympics Pickleball Commissioner, and Beverly Youngren, Ambassador for USA Pickleball Association, had a challenge. There were no public Pickleball courts in San Diego County, but these gals set out to change that!

At first, Pickleball was played at local tennis courts using rolls of blue painter’s tape to mark the court. Then came the opportunity this May to play at San Luis Rey Downs Resort in Bonsall and introduce Pickleball to the locals. After permission was given to change one tennis court into four Pickleball courts at their own expense, the challenge was on! Deer netting, rolls of duct tape and patio umbrella stands were the necessary items to provide proper Pickleball play… for a while.

Then local players agreed they all could pool resources and build/finish the four courts properly. Much appreciation goes to Bob Youngren and Don Krafft, retired contractors who willingly brought all their tools/concrete saws and whatever else was needed to get the poles installed and courts painted and lined. The costs of the nets, hardware and court paint were shared by some of the players; no monies were available to do this without everyone’s help. How to reimburse everyone came later. Despite the hottest summer on record for years, players showed up every week to help until the job was done. Special thanks go to many players, including Dan & Sandi Scott, Sharon Krafft, Red & Cheri Mundell, Jean Ball, Mary Wilson, Nancy Sass and Sandy Raddick.

To celebrate completion of these courts, a fun tournament was hosted with a Saturday morning training class. All monies were donated toward the Pickleball court fund. They also had a decorated jar at each game time, prominently displayed, for any donations new players wanted to make.

Not only were the courts finished and everyone made new friends, but Pickleball was introduced for the first time into the San Diego Senior Olympics and played on these courts on September 22 and 23! By the time the games were finished, the Pickleball debt was paid. Almost 40 athletes competed in these games, and some players came from Washington, Arizona and other areas to support Pickleball.

Their “Field of Dreams” has been recognized.

New players are always welcome and paddles are available. Players will relish the exercise! Play Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 8:30 a.m. For more information e-mail Bev Youngren at [email protected] or Pat Carroll at [email protected].

Pickleball results

San Luis Rey Downs Country Club

Event Age Gold Medal Silver Medal Bronze Medal

Group

Women’s 50-54 Nicole Popov Debi Glogower Diane Quellette

Singles 55-59 Jean Ball Jettye Lanius

60-64 Pat Carroll Bev Youngren

65-69 Carole Myers

Men’s 50-54 Tom Wolf Bob Lanius

Singles 55-59 Mario Popov

64-64 Bob Youngren

65-69 Frank Ricco Don Scott

70-74 Don Krafft Richard Shell Rex Gordon

Men’s 50-54 Bob Lanius/Tom Wolf Ben Sanchez/Jerry Morrell

Doubles 55-59 Mario Popov/Nikolay Guentchez

60-64 Bob Youngren/Don Krafft Vic Avery/Frank Ricco

65-69 Bud Thorson/Ron Zettek

70-74 Rex Gordon/Richard Shell

Women’s 50-54 Diane Quellette/Debi Glogower Nicole Popov/Sue Alcott Carole Myers/Mary Wilson

Doubles 59-59 Jean Ball/Jettye Lanius

60-64 Pat Carroll/Bev Youngren Nancy Sass/Sasa Raddatz Mary Ortmann/PaulineAvery

Mixed 50-54 Nicole & Mario Popov Diane Quellette/Bob Lanius Debi Glogower/Jerry Morrell

Doubles 55-59 Jean Ball/Bud Thorson

60-64 Bob & Bev Youngren Pauline & Vic Avery Mary Ortmann/Ron Zettek

65-69 Carole Myers/Frank Ricco Sandy Raddick/Rex Gordon

Men’s Bud Thorson/Ron Zettek Bob Youngren/Don Krafft Rom Wolf/Bob Lanius

Open

Women’s Pauline Avery/ Mary Ortmann Pat Carroll/Bev Youngren Diane Quellette/Debi Glogower

Open