ABBOTSFORD 2ND ANNUAL PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT

July 9, 2011 Abbotsford 2nd Annual Pickleball Tournament was a great success !!!

ARC was swarmed with players arriving as early as 7 am and our tournament was finished at about 6 pm. We had about 67 competitors from all over B.C. including Nanaimo, Ladner, Port Moody, Kelowna, Chilliwack, South Surrey and two from Washington State. We were lucky to have a visitor from Sacramento who was able to fill in for a player unable to make it. We took a group photo at 8:30 am with about 52 players in attendance, about 15 players under 55 arrived later. We had many of the top players in the province playing. The level of play was fantastic, 3.5 to 5 levels.

An Abbotsford News photographer stayed for some time taking many photographs. He had never seen pickleball before but he is enthused about the game and can't wait to play. An ARC Senior Newsletter photographer was also there taking some pictures.

A big thank you to Laura Kerr and Ryan from ARC who helped all day in setting up, player registrations, supplying beautiful medals and excellent food, organizing both gyms for the tournament.

Thanks to our sponsors who provided the door prizes: ARC, Pickleball Canada, Murray GM, S-Type Sports, North Bellingham Golf Course and other anonymous donors.

Thanks to all our volunteers: Colin, Catherine, Dorothy, Leslie and Nigel. Referees: Pat, Mandy and Elaine. Line judges: Ken and Grant... Thanks to Grant representing S-Type Sports helping us at our tournament.

Congratulations to all the medal Winners:

Mixed Doubles 55+
Gold John Kusch/Elaine Lerner
Silver Colin Caldwell/Theresa Orcutt
Bronze Pat Copp/David Touchet

Mens Doubles 55+
Gold John Kusch/David Touchet
Silver Del Iggulden/Paul Ellis
Bronze Ronnie Pitcher/Garth Watkins

Ladies Doubles 55+
Gold Elaine Lerner/Theresa Orcutt
Silver Pat Copp/Terry Saunders
Bronze Elaine Griffiths/Kathy Parkes

Mixed Doubles Under 55
Gold Luba Zhekhovskaya/Denis Zhekhovskiy
Silver Del Iggulden/Karen Iggulden
Bronze Brenda Ellis/Reg Skinner

Mens Doubles Under 55
Gold Reg Skinner/Denis Zhekhovskiy
Silver Rhys Martel/Mike Shepherd
Bronze George Pool/Ganbat Tsend

Ladies Doubles Under 55
Gold Karen Iggulden/Luba Zhekhovskaya
Silver Madalene Choy/Jody Yeh
Bronze Dee Pitcher/Trudy Pitcher

Fantastic prizes: Pickleball shoulder holders, paddle covers and T-Shirts from Pickleball Canada, a new Storm Paddle from S-Type Sports, two golf passes from North Bellingham Golf Course, two 'Cadillac' teddy bears and Upholstery cleaners from Murray GM, paddle cover from Grant Brittain, ARC personal training session passes, ARC one month passes, other prizes from pickleball friends include Cross pen, silver tray, two silver sandwich trays, glass salad bowl, electric juicer, kitchen utensil holder, 5 boxes of chocolates, water bottles and thermal mugs.

There were at least 5 parent and son/daughter teams. Congratulations to one family won gold medals: Luba Zhekhovskaya/Denis Zhekhovskiy, another family won Silver medals: Dee Pitcher and Trudy Pitcher.