February Newsletter

​​Last weekend was Tournament Central at the West Courts. Saturday there were 21 Intermediate teams competing, Sunday 10 Advanced teams competing – and Sunday turned out to be a longer day!  We want to extend a HUGE thank you to Diane Newcomb and Terri Cagala who organized the events and put a lot of work into making both successful and fun.  Thanks to the volunteers that kept score, kept everyone hydrated and served as line judges for the medal rounds.  Also thanks to the many members and family that came to cheer on the players – both in the cold on Saturday and in the sun on Sunday.  With feedback and a few tweaks, we will have a plan in place for future tournaments. 
Pictures are posted in the Photo Gallery. 2022 Tournament Pictures  Please be kind, our expert photographer (Lou Rhodes) played on Saturday so there are many more on Sunday.  Hint: when you click on one photo it opens to full size and from there you can scroll forward and backward. If you have any pictures to share, please upload them at the bottom of the Contact Us Form  Contact Us
Congratulations to the winners!!
Intermediate
1st Gold - Jim Chase & Chris Korjenek
2nd Silver - Alan Albright & Lori Coates
3rd Bronze - Lou Rhodes & Pat Bradley
Advanced
1st Gold - Mark Ohlhaver & Tammy Sherrill
2nd Silver - Dan Mehlhorn & Gloria Smith
3rd Bronze - Vito Berlingeri & Michelle Webb
 
We also marked another milestone this week completing the second of three installments to repay the donors for the Court Expansion loans.  Many of you, new members mostly, may not be aware that the new courts, 5 & 6 on West side, were funded by 16 members who generously provided non-interest loans to the club.  You can see who these folks are by visiting the paver area in front of those courts.  We also thank those of you who purchased the surrounding pavers that provided additional necessary funds to complete the project.  More on pavers soon!
 
Terri and Jan attended the town’s 2022 Activities & Volunteer EXPO.  There is a lot of interest in Pickleball here in Fountain Hills!  Thanks to the members who stopped by to say Hi!!
 
The February schedule reflects several extended Intermediate and Beginner slots.  There will also be 2 orientation sessions, Saturday Feb 12th and 26th on the west courts starting at 10:00 am. We encourage you to put together groups to play in the Member Open slots on the schedule, especially on the East courts, which continue to be under -utilized. Theses groups could be 4 to 16 people and you just take turns on the courts if others are there.  And while we are seasonally busy, please feel welcome to play in your skill level slots, but since there is play every day be considerate of other’s time and do not play continuously in all skill slots on the same day. Please try to spread out play and decrease wait times by coming to the courts a bit later in the morning or organize a group and go to the east courts if they are assigned to your skill level.
 
There will be March-April Intermediate and Beginner Clinics, stay tuned for details and registration next week.
 
A couple of reminders:
Parking in front of the West courts is available only when school is closed and after 3:30 when school is in session.  The red fire lane curb is specific to school hours. 
The Guest policy that went into effect last month is being used – and that’s a good thing.  Unfortunately, everyone is not aware and there has been some confusion.  This is copied from the January Newsletter: We are also implementing a policy for members to host guests.  It is a requirement that the guest is accompanied by a member and the member is responsible for the guest’s behavior at the courts.  A specific waiver is required for EVERY guest visit.   We are going to continue to monitor activity and have an update regularly. 
 
And lastly!  Spring Fling is right around the corner.  The event will be much the same format as in previous years with a few tweaks.  We will also have a short program to formally thank our Court Expansion donors and the recent Hall of Fame inductees.  Expect food, fun, music and of course the 50-50!   We do have a restriction on attendees so if you are member couples, that counts as your guest.  The Evite will be sent shortly.
 
Have a great February – below are the birthdays!

See you at the Courts!
The Board of Directors
 
Birthdays:
 
Trish Maland                      2
Cheryl Bleier                       4
Geriann Engle                    4
Darlene Mauermann      4
Lloyd TeBrink                     4
Amanda Triezenberg      4
Jane Connealy                   5
Marcia Sahag                     6
Walt Conway                     7
Teri Bernhard                    8
Ron Boninger                     8
Patrick Sullivan                  8
Jeff Griswold                      9
Debra Short                        9
Emily Hemphill                  10
Anne Seward                     10
Michael Pragle                  11
Ruth Rohde                        11
Cliff McClure                      13
Deb Harrison                      14
Sally Kelly                            14
Cheryl Gollon                     15
Jim Kropf                             15
DeeAnn Smith                   16
Cathy Zillgitt                        16
DiAnne Fikkert                  17
Lynda Johnson                  18
Harvey Kohn                      19
Cheryl Bredehoeft           20
Bill Pohle                             20
Penny Springer                 20
Jennifer Kriwer                 21
Ash Khan                             22
Tom Sigrist                          22
Margie Kendall                  24
Tim O'Rourke                    24
Jane Heenan                      26
Dave Long                           27
Jean Hosler                         28
Jittra Lynde                         28
Beth Nemire