Pickleball: GV’s fastest-growing sport

Former tennis nuts, along with non-athletes who just want to get some sunshine and giggles, continue to flock to the only pickleball court in town to find out what all the fun is about.

“You can’t walk away without a grin on your face,” declared Green Valley’s Pickleball Club Vice President Phyllis Zuehlke.

She and other club members agree, however, that the fun is getting harder and harder to spread around with only one court for the more than 100 members. That’s nearly double their count at this time last year, increasing every day as curious GVR cardholders drop by and get hooked on the fastest growing sport among seniors in America.

The Villages, a retirement community in Florida, boasts 150 pickleball courts.

“Pickleball is a friendlier game than tennis,” Zuehlke continued. “It’s competitive, but it’s easy to learn. Women can play easily with men, and everyone laughs and has a great attitude. That’s what’s so infectious about the game.”

There appears to be no question that long time tennis aficionados — most who say they find it easier on the body as they age, and some who still play both games — are discovering and embracing the short-court sport, a compelling combination of paddleball and table tennis that permits even players of different ability levels to have fun together.

Played with a wiffle ball and large paddles, games are quick, but points can be long and exciting.

Marv Hanenberger, an 80-year tennis veteran who has given so much to that game in his home state that the Rochester Tennis Club and the University of Minnesota’s Tennis Hall of Fame have named their buildings after him, visited the court one day and decided to donate $1,000 to hopefully get GVR’s attention, he said, about the need for more courts.

“That’s why I’m giving it,” said Hanenberger, 94, who used to play paddle tennis years ago, and seeing the similarities, thought it was a great game for those who are finding it harder to get around.

“I encourage people who can’t play tennis or racquetball, but want to, to come out and try to play this. It’s a great game for older people. The court is smaller and people don’t have to move as quickly.”

The donation will go into the club’s capital improvements fund, said Treasurer Gary Stephens, adding that many others in the group have said they would be willing to contribute as well, especially if it means GVR might look into adding more courts.

“Our estimates are that about $40,000 would add two courts and resurface the existing court,” said Gary Beatty, official ambassador and coach for the club who puts in 30-40 hours a week helping newcomers learn the game while generally juggling everything involved in the difficult task of trying to keep dozens of players happy and participating each hour of the day.

“I truly get enjoyment out of seeing people get better, and in pickleball, it happens so much faster,” Beatty said.

“People drive by the court, look in, and drive away, cause they can’t get on,” admits a frustrated Beatty, arguably the best player out there who gave up regular tennis due to a back injury.

“We have room for two more courts at our present location at East Center now, without affecting the parking area,” Stephens explained, adding that two more, equivalent to building half of one new tennis court, would at least allow the group to build leagues and tournaments, provide more structured play with a lot less waiting to get on.

“We have 100 members,” Beatty pointed out, “and only one court. The Tennis Club, by contrast, has 350, 400 members with 17 courts. Four pickleball courts, using about the same area as one tennis court which accommodates only four people, can keep 32 people happy the way we rotate games.”

Coming off a successful event converting the East tennis courts in the Senior Games, with 38 teams participating compared to just nine in 2007, the group nevertheless found the cement surface unforgiving.

In addition, lines erased or washed out, and players had difficulty keeping courts separated. Volunteer officials used tennis racquets to keep balls out of the wrong courts.

The club’s youngest player is 50 and the oldest is 86. Grandkids on holidays can be seen playing, too.

Women account for about half the group, and Beatty sets up “competitive days,” as well as “recreational days,” with no smashes allowed and longest rallies rewarded, to allow for all abilities and tastes.

“A lot of our members are over 70,” he said, “looking for something fun that’s easier on the body.”

The club has Beatty instruct anyone who wants to learn, sells paddles at cost, and provides balls for play.

Dues are $10 for a single and $15 per couple, and he said you just have to show up at the court at the south end of East Recreation Center in order to participate.

Mike Touzeau is a freelance writer for the Green Valley News.