Submitted by David (USAPA Marketing and Sales Chair) and Nancy (USAPA Membership Chair) Jordan

This summer we decided to hit the Midwest tournaments and meet and play pickleball with as many new people as we could while we travel.  When planning our trips, we always check out the USAPA Places to Play.  If you have never looked at this resource, you need to check it out.  We have met and played in some wonderful places that we would not have known about had it not been for this helpful listing.

After the Mid-South Regional Tournament in Baton Rouge, LA, we flew back to Tucson, picked up our motorhome and began our drive to Indiana for the Indiana State Sr. Olympics.  This is the furthest we have ever traveled to play in a tournament.

Paul Barksdale, a USAPA Ambassador, is the tournament director for these games and is also a neighbor of ours at the Voyager RV Park in Tucson.  Paul and his wife Wila live in Terre Haute, Indiana during the summer.  We headed to their house for some visiting and pickleball play. We were invited to park at their home and play pickleball daily at their new courts located about 3 miles from their house.  These six courts were built in a park on underused tennis courts with the help of a grant, some city contributions and the hard work of the local players.  This is a great facility and group of players.  We also ran a Pickleball Rodeo one evening for about 25 people of various ages

After 3 days in Terre Haute, we traveled northeast to Indianapolis, IN for the games.  Play consisted of doubles, mixed doubles, and singles over two days.  Paul does an outstanding job of organizing this event, so fun is a built in factor.  We would like to say, "Hats off to him and Wila for a job well done".  Play was followed by an all sports banquet hosted by the Sr. Olympic Committee, which was a real treat.  Since we had traveled 1800 miles, we won the prize for traveling the farthest.

 

Wila & Paul Barksdale

With three weeks to go before we were scheduled to be in Rochester, MI for the Michigan Senior Olympics, we took some time and headed up the west coast of Michigan with stops to play pickleball at the YMCA in Traverse City, MI.  There was a very friendly and competitive group of players on 3 outdoor courts.  These courts back up to a small river, where you could take a dip after playing if you wish.  One of the players told us about this, as he was heading down the bank to swim.  When the weather gets bad, they also have courts inside the gym where they can also play.  We discovered that they have been playing in Traverse City for over 20 years.  There are other locations in the city but we did not have time to visit on this stop.

Next on our agenda was Mackinaw City and Mackinac Island, which are both pronounced the same.  Mackinac Island is a non motorized island which you can reach only by ferry or private boat. They don't currently have pickleball established, so we briefly visited Brian Hellis who is working with the summer residents and the local elementary school principal to get pickleball started.  We enjoyed talking with Brian about his role in organizing pickleball for the island.  We took time out to rent a horse & buggy to tour the island, visit attractions, and of course to buy and eat the many different kinds of fudge and sample a local dish called a pastie, pronounced "pas-tee".  We had a great time touring the island with new friends and pickleball partner, Roger Workman, and his wife Jen.

Next month we will tell you all about the Michigan State Games.

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