On Saturday, January 14th, Meadow Pointe Picklers Pat and Suzi, Chris, Karen and Zachary and Rich and Donna headed out early for the Winter In Paradise Pickleball Tournament which was held at Kings Point in Sun City Center. We've all been there before, and we keep coming back. It's always a great time and some very good competition.
Louann Dubendorf, of the Kings Point Pickleball League is the planner and organizer of this yearly event that draws people from across Florida to play. More than 70 pickleball players braved the 40 degree temperatures to play, ans some from as far away as Satellite Beach on Florida's east coast. Louann always makes you feel welcome, gives you your morning goodie bags with breakfast bars, juice, crackers, cookies or candy bars, plenty of coffee and water, and a guaranteed good time.
Below the group arrives and prepares for the day - passing the awards table and hoping they go home with at least one, checking out their competition and scheduled play, setting up their chairs for the day behind court number three and then settling in to watch the competition.
Below Rich and Chris take to the courts in the Men's Doubles. In the upper left corner is Louann - who partnered with Chris in the afternoon in the mixed doubles. Chris and Louann finished Second in the Competitive Round of Mixed Doubles.
And the ladies played some great games as well. Karen and Suzi partnered up in the recreational round of woman's doubles and finished in Second Place. Karen teamed up with her son Zachary in one recreational division and finished in FIRST place while Suzi teamed up with hubby Pat and they took Second Place! Way to go!!
And I don't need to tell any of you what a great little player our 12 year old Pickler is. Pat and Zachary teamed up in one draw of the recreational play and finished in 4th place behind Rich and his partner Art, and 80 year old from down in Wauchula. Zachary also played in another draw with a gentleman from Sun City Center and they took First Place. I (Donna) was taking pictures most of the day - but I did finish in Third Place in the ladies doubles competitive draw. Don Bass and I were scheduled to play in the mixed - but we all know that Don is recovering from his recent injury. We all missed having him there today.
Anyway - Rich and I have not been to play with you folks in a while, so it was really extra special to meet up with some of the players on Saturday. And, Pat now has all the paper work on how to set up another round robin tournament for all you guys there at home!!!
All the Meadow Pointe Picklers are winners - but for today
CONGRATS to all the Winter In Paradise Medal Winners!
Donna and Rich enjoy the Pre-Tournament Social on Thursday evening. Great food, and a Good Cake! 
Rich and his doubles partner, Paul Coletta from Flat Rock, NC went undefeated and took the Gold. 
Donna and her partner, Diane Ramsdell from Arkansas lost their very first game, but then went undefeated in the remaining round robin games in their split. They lost the first medal match 21-15, but won the second 21-18 for the Bronze Medal. 
