Michigan Senior Olympics: Mixed Doubles

Older Persons' Commission

Michigan Senior Olympics

Mixed Doubles

July 9, 2009

MSO Player List

Mixed Doubles 50-54

• Jan Doke and Renard Kolasa
• Marna Kaijala and Wayne Lapointe
• Clare Bushman and Alex Shirshun
• Donna Robins and Morgan Robins
• Donna Paquin and Larry Paquin

Mixed Doubles 55-59

• Barbara Ash and Wayne Hoskins
• Colleen Netcott and Jeff Netcott
• Melissa Muha and Robert Northrop
• Pamela Piger and Gary Piger
• Dai Lin Shu and Thomas Crowley
• Hilda Weber and Mark Karwas
• Patricia Papke and Owen Papke
• Donna Balasia and Steve Balasia
• Laura Patterson and Larry Bechard

Mixed Doubles 60-64

• Yvonne Hackenberg and James Hackenberg
• Sandy Knaack and Mark Pierce
• Sook Wilkinson and James Luzod
• Jeanne Rinehart and Gary Bejin
• Marilyn Holladay and James Schroder
• Sharon Parker and James Parker
• Gloria Paddock and John Davis
• Jacqueline Ingram and Lee Kelly
• Jan Allard and Claudio Vacas
• Donna Clancy and Sandford Simons
• Joyce Sickle and Dan Clemence
• Diane Moore and Steve Livornia

Mixed Doubles 65-69

• Marika Blumerick and Hans Spata
• Virginia Nease and Thomas Burns
• Carol Elias and Larry Sagowitz
• Patricia Belanger and Larry Lalik
• Dick Manasseri and Bonnie Heinz
• Linda Mast and Dennis Pehrson
• Peggy Rusaw and Michael Rusaw
• Clara Gamble and Bill Stevens
• Maria Williams and Richard Bauer
• Arlene Stec and George Stec
• Douglas Kant and Joyce Staffen
• Bennie Shellnut and Karen Wyatt
• Constance Anderson and Paul Schultz
• Nancy Fritch and Frank Palazzola

Mixed Doubles 70-74

• Ed Cova and Sharon Salamon
• Deloria Jacobs and Bruce Redman
• Bill Viccars and Ann Robertson

Mixed Doubles 80-84

• Elaine Carsok and Duane Quigg

Michigan Senior Olympics: Men's Doubles Pickleball Games

Auburn Hills Community Center

Michigan Senior Olympics

Men's Doubles Pickleball Games

July 8, 2009

MSO Player List

PHOTOS By Stan Wilson, Jr

Men's Doubles 50-54

• GOLD Ronald Callison and Mark Mcclure

Men's Doubles 55-59

• GOLD Gary Piger and Michael Rusaw
• SILVER Ed Cova and Wayne Hoskins
• BRONZE Steve Balasia and Chuck Gumbel

Men's Doubles 60-64

• GOLD Gary Bejin and Renard Kolasa
• SILVER Jack Licata and Patrick McPhail
• BRONZE Thomas Crowley and Apollo Ionas

Men's Doubles 65-69

• GOLD Doug Kant and Morgan Robins
• SILVER Dan Clemence and John Ulrich
• BRONZE Owen Papke and Frank Palazzola

Men's Doubles 70-74

• GOLD Hans Spata and William Viccars
  

USAPA Members Rack Up Ranking Points

Michigan Senior Olympics 2009 Summer Pickleball Games

USA Pickleball Association Sanctioned (Tier 3)

USAPA (Tier 3) Ranking Points

• 1st Place – 600 points
• 2nd Place – 300 points
• 3rd Place – 150 points

Ranking Points will be awarded to USAPA Members that earn Gold, Silver, or Bronze in their age division.

Today USAPA has 1585 active Members.

Seventy-four USAPA Members are competing in the MSO Summer Games!

Join USAPA to assure your eligibility to earn USAPA Ranking Points at the MSO Games. Click here for the three easy steps to becoming a USAPA Member or to renew your membership: http://usapa.org/memberships/index.php

Active USAPA Members on the MSO Players List:

Jan Allard

Barbara Ash

Donna Balasia

Steve Balasia

Rich Bauer

Larry Baum

USAPA Ambassador Gary Bejin

Patsy Belanger

Marika Blumerick

Clare Bushman

Dan Clemence

Tom Crowley

Lynne Dadas

John Davis

Jan Doke

Patti Durand

Carol Elias

Lewis Forrest

Nancy Fritch

Clara Gamble

Chuck Gumbel

James Hackenberg

Yvonne Hackenberg

Al Hatala

Bonnie Heinz

USAPA Board Rankings Chair Marilyn Holladay

Wayne Hoskins

Jacqueline Ingram

Apollo Ionas

Deloria Jacobs

Doug Kant

Mark Karwas

Sandy Knaack

Ann Koch

Renard Kolasa

Mike Kowal

USAPA Amabassador Wayne Lapointe

USAPA Ambassador Jack Licata,

Jim Luzod

USAPA Board National/International Relations Chair Dick Manasseri

Pat McPhail

USAPA Ambassador Melissa Muha

USAPA Ambassador Bob Northrop

Bonnie Otis

USAPA Ambassador Owen Papke

USAPA Ambassador Patty Papke

Jim Parker

Sharon Parker

Laura Patterson

Mark Pierce

Gary Piger

Pamela Piger

USAPA Ambassador Bruce Redman

Jeanne Rinehart

Ann Robertson

Nancy Robertson

Mike Rusaw

Larry Sagowitz

Jim Schroder

Dai Lin Shu

Leo Smith

Hans Spata

USAPA Ambassador Joyce Staffen

Arlene Stec

George Stec

USAPA Ambassador Bill Stevens

Nancy Thoenes

John Ulrich

Claudio Vacas

Hilda Weber

Sook Wilkinson

Maria Williams

Lynn Wittkowski

Karen Wyatt

Pending Renewal: Donna and Morgan Robins

WoWiE! ZOwIe!

A very impressive community of picklers!

Thank you for your participation and your support!

USAPA Ranking System

USAPA Ranking System contact: Marilyn Holladay at halladaym@mac.com

USAPA Membership

USAPA Membership contact: Janet Razz at MIPickleball@gmail.com

Michigan Senior Olympics: Women's Doubles Pickleball Gamess

Auburn Hills Community Center

Michigan Senior Olympics

Women's Doubles Pickleball Games

July 7, 2009

MSO Player List

PHOTOS By Stan Wilson, Jr

Women's Doubles 50-54

• GOLD Nancy Roberton and Sook Wilkinson
• SILVER Clare Bushman and Jan Doke
• BRONZE Diane Moore and Patricia Secen

Women's Doubles 55-59

• GOLD Dai Lin Shu and Hilda Weber
• SILVER Ynonne Hackenberg and Melissa Muha
• BRONZE Nancy Thoenes and Lynn Wittkowski

Women's Doubles 60-64

• GOLD Jan Allard and Donna Clancy
• SILVER Marilyn Holladay and Jacqueline Ingram
• BRONZE Ann Robertson and Jeanne Rinehart

Women's Doubles 65-69

• GOLD Carol Elias and Bonnie Heinz
• SILVER Barbara Ash and Gloria Paddock
• BRONZE Patricia Belanger and Marika Blumerick

TODAY! Independence Day! Festival of FUN! Independence Township Pickleball Demonstration!

Independence Township Senior Center Programmer, Mary Melega, together with the Independence Township Pickleball Players will be hosting a "Learn to Play Pickleball" demonstration TODAY, Independence Day, at the "Festival of Fun"!

The demonstration will be held on the tennis courts at

• Clintonwood Park, 6000 Clarkston Road, Clarkston, MI 48348
• All ages are welcome!
• TODAY! The 4th of July from 1:00pm - 3:00pm!

Clintonwood Park is 120 acres of open space. The park features a fitness trail, basketball, 4 square and tennis courts, playground and spraypark, baseball, softball and soccer fields, in-line skating rink, volleyball and horseshoes. http://www.twp.independence.mi.us/

"Pickleball making its mark in Oakland" by David McClelland

The Oakland Press http://www.theoaklandpress.com/
Saturday, July 4, 2009

Pickleball making its mark in Oakland

By DAVID McCLELLAND Special to The Oakland Press

Two years ago, most people hadn't even heard of pickleball.

Today, there are close to 40,000 players and that number is growing every month, according Bill Booth, president of the USA Pickleball Association.

Pickleball is a game a lot like tennis and is played indoors on gym floors and outdoors on tennis courts. A plastic, poly baseball with holes is used, as well as short handled, solid wooden paddles.

The court is a downsized tennis court and is 20 feet wide by 44 feet deep, with colored tape to define the court, the serving box and the “kitchen,” which is an area 7 feet deep on each side of the net.

The serve must be underhand with the paddle below the wrist, bounce in the serving box and the ball must bounce once on the receiver’s side of the net and the server or the receiving team, in the case of doubles, must let the ball bounce once before returning it.

After that, the players may move to the net and the speed of the game increases dramatically.

Points are awarded only to the serving team. Games are played to 11, 15 or 21 depending on the event.

Why is it called pickleball? Apparently, the creator had a dog named Pickles which kept stealing the ball during play. Pickleball was created during the summer of 1965 on Bainbridge Island near Seattle.

Its creators were U.S. Congressman Joel Pritchard, William Bell and Barney McCallum. Initially, families played pickleball in their backyards on a hard surface, on driveways and on residential, dead end streets.

Since the mid-70s , the sport has expanded. It is now played in schools, parks and recreation centers.

FYI

To learn to play pickleball, instruction is available at 9:30 a.m. every Monday and Wednesday at the Auburn Hills Community Center. Call (248) 370-9353 for more information.

The Michigan Senior Olympics will be played from 7:30 a.m. to noon and from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 7, and Wednesday, July 8, at the Auburn Hills Community Center. More games will be played at the Older Persons Commission in Rochester at the same times on July 9 and July 10.

Visit http://usapa.org/ to learn much more about pickleball.

USAPA Member David McClelland (left) recognized,

by USAPA Board Member Dick Manasseri (right),

for Gold Medal Service as a

USAPA Michigan Great Lakes Pickleball Referee

MSO 2009 Summer Pickleball Games: Schedule

Michigan Senior Olympic

2009 Summer PICKLEBALL Games

SCHEDULE

Auburn Hills Community Center Summer Smash
Front Row: Mark, Michelle, Marilyn
Back Row: Lewis, Andy, Elaine, Hilda, Don, Jan, Renard, Dick, Jeff

"One for the Ages" by Christian Davis, C & G Sports Writer

C & G Newspapers

MSO 2009 Summer Games

Rochester Post (MI)

July 2, 2009

ONE FOR THE AGES

Christian Davis, C & G Sports Writer

The Michigan Senior Olympics turns 30 this summer, and Sheila Tinnion, the marketing and sponsorship director of the event, said the games are ready to celebrate.

The MSO takes place July 5-12 in Rochester and surrounding communities.

Tinnion said all events are free for spectators and added that fans are encouraged to come out and cheer on the 700 athletes who are taking part in the games.

"We'd love them to come out," she said. "It's great for the athletes to have that support, and this year, because it's the 30th, we're doing some fun social events." One of the major social events is the Dinner and Celebration of Athletes at 5 p.m. July 6 at the Older Person's Commission in Rochester. Tinnion said there will be a disco theme in honor of 1979, the year the games began.

Tickets for the dinner are $10, and guest speaker Bill Laimbeer will join the patrons.

Other social events include the 5K fun run/ walk at 10 a.m.

July 6 starting at the OPC, along with the 30 Frames for 30 Years and the Oldies Party at 3 p.m.

July 8 at Classic Lanes in Rochester Hills.

The cost is $5 for the run/ walk and $8 for the bowling; each guest gets to bowl three games or 30 frames.

"It's just a way of getting the community to support it and for the athletes that are in town to enjoy it, as well," Tinnion said of the social events.

As for the games, there are 39 events, and Tinnion said they are as much about camaraderie as they are about gold medals. "I think it's very upbeat," she said. "You hear a lot of laughter and communication, so everyone is making friends and supporting each other.

"You get a sense that they're here for each other and want to do well for each other." However, winning a gold medal isn't bad, either.

Gene Meyer, 77, of St. Clair Shores has competed the past 12 years. This time around, he's partaking in bocce ball and a basketball free-throw contest. Meyer has his share of medals, winning a gold in bocce ball three years in a row, but said just staying active is the most important part. "It's not just getting your name in a book," he said. "You've got to keep moving. If you don't move it, you're going to lose it."

Dick Manasseri, 65, of Rochester Hills is going to compete in various pickleball competitions.

This is his third time competing in the MSO, and he has won six medals.

"I think I got in early, when the competition wasn't as strong," he joked. "I think the chances of me repeating will take a real effort this time around." Manasseri said he makes sure to get to other events to support his fellow seniors and witness their athletic ability.

"You'll see seniors throwing the javelin and doing the long jump; it's really impressive," he said. "I have to say, my impression is that those folks are hard-core athletes." For a schedule of athletic and social events, visit the MSO's Web site at www.michiganseniorolympics. org.

You can also register for the social events by calling the OPC at (248) 656-1403.

Sports reporter Sue Teggart contributed to this story. You can reach Sports Writer Christian Davis at cdavis@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1062.

----------------------------------
Copyright, © All Rights Reserved.

Posted with Permission

A "Pickleball Goodies" Good Report!

Passing along A "Pickleball Goodies" Good Report from the Clinton Township Picklers, a report that is vibrating at facilities across SE Michigan -- including Auburn Hills Community Center, Macomb Township Recreation Center, and Rochester's OPC!!!

• Pickleball Goodies
• Paddles * Balls * Much More
• 6% USAPA Member Discount
• Tom Valentine
• 248-895-7250 after 5:00pm
• pballgoodies@comcast.net

Dear Dick,

Wanda Vasko, the person in charge of Sports and Fitness at the Clinton Township Senior Center, has asked me to pass on to you, and all of the Pickleball people, how impressed she, and we at the Clinton Township Senior Center, are with Tom Valentine's representation of, and dedication to, the game of Pickleball and it's enjoyment.

We invited Tom to our Gym to show us his "Pickleball Goodies" a couple of weeks ago, and he came over with numerous paddles from which to choose. He allowed us to "test drive" the various paddles to see which fit our needs best. His prices were also very reasonable. Tom then donated some indoor Pickleballs to the Center where, until then, we were using the outdoor version that came with the Pickleball set. He then joined us in some fun and spirited games of Pickleball.

Thank you for passing on Tom's name to us, and, of course, thanks to Tom for his help in advancing our enjoyment of the game.

Don Kolke

*** Play Clinton Township Walk-in Pickleball ***

• Public Membership Required
• Current: Thursday from 11:30 AM -1:30 PM
• Beginning July 16th thru Oct 1st Thursday from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM
• "It is for members only, but those interested in exploring a membership can come and see the facilities and engage in Pickleball at that time." Don

USAPA Places to Play Page

Clinton Township Senior Center Pickleball

Save the Date: Portage Pickleball Tournament

!! Save the Date !!

Our next Pickleball Tournament is planned for October 2nd & 3rd in Portage. We are looking to put on a tournament with 7 courts! We also will by applying for sanctioning!

More information will be coming soon!

Mark your calendars!

Best regards,

Melissa Muha

Pickleball Ambassador of Portage

more info http://www.where2pickle.org/

USAPA Board Welcomes Marilyn Holladay

USAPA E-Pickleball News

July 2009

Welcome to Marilyn Holladay

The USAPA Board would like to welcome Marilyn Holladay as the new Rankings Committee chair. Marilyn has been playing pickleball in Rochester, Michigan since 2008 and spent 41 years in the educational field teaching, coaching, and as a Middle School Principal. She worked 27 of her educational years in international schools in Belgium, Indonesia, Thailand, China, and Peru. The USAPA Board takes pride in welcoming Marilyn as our newest board member.

USAPA Board Members and Committe Responsibilites

MI Pickleball Celebrates and Appreciates

USAPA Board Members

Board Members and Committee Responsibilities

• Bill Booth
  President, Website – 2009-2010
• Vacant
  Vice President
• Fran Myer
  Secretary – 2008-2009
• Ken Furnia
  Treasurer – 2009-2010
• Phil Mortenson
  Legal Counsel, Grievance – 2008-2009
• Ron Farra
  Media Relations – 2009-2010
• David Jordan
  Marketing/Sales – 2009-2010
• Nancy Jordan
  Membership – 2009-2010
• Dick Manasseri
  National/International Relations Ambassadors – 2008-2009
• Marilyn Holladay
  Rankings – 2008-2009
• Vacant
  Ratings – 2008-2009
• Dennis Duey
  Rules – 2008-2009
• Barney Myer
  Tournaments – 2008-2009
• Norm Davis
  Training – 2009-2010
• Vacant
  Newsletter – 2009-2010

Mark Friedenberg, Past President
Thank You to Mark Friedenberg

Thank You to Mark Friedenberg

USAPA E-Pickleball News

July 2009

Thank You to Mark Friedenberg
by Bill Booth
President, USAPA

After 4½ years as president of the USAPA, Mark Friedenberg has stepped down as president. In early 2005, Mark and a group of enthusiastic players had the foresight to create the "new" USAPA to replace the original organization which was not well organized at the time. They created the original board of directors, shown here on the history page, to promote the sport and direct the policies and objectives of the USAPA.

In the following years, under the direction of Mark and the board, there were many achievements for pickleball and the USAPA.

• The USAPA has become recognized as the governing body for pickleball.
• Training material for players and referees is on training.usapa.org (free for all players).
• Rules were thoroughly reviewed and revised. The first rulebook was published in 2008 and a second printing and revision was published in 2009.
• Many marketing materials have been produced for sale and to promote memberships.
• An Ambassador program was created to spread the word about this exciting sport throughout the U.S. and Canada. The sport is truly growing at the grass-roots level.
• The membership base is currently well over 1500 members and growing rapidly (up over 120% in 12 months and 54% in the first 6 months of 2009).
• The national pickleball tournament in November will be the largest tournament ever attended.
• We have been successful at getting pickleball into the winter games of the National Senior Games Association and are working hard to get into the summer games.
• Coverage in the media has been increasing with newspaper articles and televised features as enthusiastic players tell their stories.
• Pickleball has become America’s fastest growing senior sport. Conservative estimates put the number of players at close to 40,000 and growing. That number is based on our Places to Play database with the actual number of players where known and conservative estimates where the number of players per court is not known.
• Our non-profit organization has grown monetarily to the point where we can finance activities important for the growth of pickleball. We are in the second year of financing assistance to players starting new programs to bring people into the sport. Plans are well under way to finance promotional efforts at the regional and local level to promote pickleball among the general public and recreation professionals.
• The website has become the best comprehensive source of information about pickleball including tournament schedules, tournament results, tournament software, ladder/league software, sanctioning information, featured news articles, places to play, official rules, rankings points, training for players and referees, player forum, and more.
• Young players are being introduced to the sport through an increasing number of programs in middle schools, high schools and colleges.
• Paddle testing procedures and specifications have been developed to preserve the character and integrity of the sport as we have all come to know it.
• Pickleball is growing internationally with the formation of Pickleball Canada and players in Kenya, Cyprus, Japan, Mexico, Singapore, India, England, Australia, and New Zealand.

Mark, thank you for your vision and dedication to promoting pickleball. The sport would not be where it is today without your leadership. Mark will continue to help promote the sport by serving on the board as Past President.

Destination "PoP! POp!" OR "R&R" Redefined

Does the destination your sweetie picked for your long awaited for second honeymoon "just happens" to coincide with the USAPA National Tournament !?!

Our 'younger friends' popularized "destination weddings". Pickers are popularizing destination vacations focused on PICKLEBALL possibilities! For those of us seriously infected with PickleballMania, our GPS is set to the sound of the "PoP! POp!" on the paddle!

This post is dedicated to Papa Razz, my beloved Kiddos, and ALL of the faithful non-pickleball playing family members that have seen their loved one infected with a strange "mania" that has them looking up USAPA Places to Play before they plan the family vacation.

Pickleballmania

A humorous look at the addictive nature of pickleball.

Father and son relax at Sleepy Bear Dunes,

while mother pickles at the Traverse City YMCA.