Meadow Pointe Picklers Featured in The Laker

Following is the article as it appeared in the The Laker-The News, sports section in the June 10, 2009 addition. Thanks very much to Steve Lee, the reporter for the Laker who graciously printed this for us. Since it was not available on-line, Steve e-mailed the article to me.

Men's pickleball winners:The top four winners were: (left to right) Pat Zwolenski, Jeff Zwolenski, Chris Atkinson and Brad Finch Special to the Laker.

PICKLEBALL
Meadow Pointe II hosted inaugural round-robin tourney

By Donna Donald
Special to The Laker
WESLEY CHAPEL — They came from neighboring Wesley Chapel and New Tampa, as well as Tampa, Lutz and even New Port Richey for the inaugural round-robin pickleball tournament last month at Meadow Pointe II.

Meadow Pointe II residents Richard and Donna Donald, who also are members of the United States Pickleball Association, organized the tourney. Richard has medaled in pickleball events throughout the state while Donna manages the USAPA’s Atlantic South Region website.

Pickleball is played on a tennis court with players near the net, similar to badminton. The net is 34 inches at the center with wooden or composite-type paddles used to hit a perforated whiffle-type ball.

Numerous families participated in the tourney with players ranging from teens to men and women in their 60s. Each player took part in at least four games before winners advanced to playoff rounds.

The men’s champion was Chris Atkinson of Meadow Pointe I. Rounding out the top four were: runner-up Brad Finch of Meadow Pointe II; Jeff Zwolenski, a Florida State senior who took third; and Pat Zwolenski of Lutz.

In the women’s division, Suzi Zwolenski of Lutz took the title. The next three finishers included: runner-up Donna Donald; Temple Terrace’s Mary Jones, who placed third; and Meadow Pointe II resident Marilynn Howell.Even more impressive about Jones's finish is that she completed a 40-mile bike ride the morning before the tourney.

Pickleball is played at the Meadow Pointe I and II courts on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 6:30 p.m. For more local information about the sport, visit ww.meadowpointepickleball.blogspot.com

Woman's pickleball winners: The top four winners included: (left to right) Suzi Zwolenski, Donna Donald, May Jones and Marilyn Howell Special to the Laker