Mary and Mike Selby self confessed pickleball-aholics
submitted by Robert (Bob) Taylor, Ambassador , USAPA, Anna Maria, FL
Welcome to the newest ambassadors to the Atlantic South Region - Mary and Mike Selby
Mary and Mike Selby are pickleball-aholics………..and have been since they were introduced to the game about 8 years ago by Bob and Bev Youngren. They owned an RV and when they visited a park in California and played for the first time……..they were hooked!
Shortly after learning the game, they loved it SO much and wanted to play whenever they wished, they built a court in their yard in Fallbrook, California just outside of San Diego. They put in a concrete court with a small fence at the rear with commercial grade lights so they could play into the wee hours of the morning…..and they often did! They had wonderful neighbors who played with them, so that really helped! They even built a little shed to house a toilet and refrigerator so no one would have to go up to the main house while they were playing. "We played a LOT of pickleball…..and had a LOT of new friends!" says Mary.
Then they decided to move to Florida, Anna Maria in particular. Mary relates, "I knew I did not want to live without pickleball. The first house we bought was chosen because it had a driveway large enough for a pickleball court. As soon as we moved in, we started playing on the driveway…….not too great, but it worked!"
No one had ever heard of Pickleball before, but they soon had a small following and that’s when they decided to speak with the Anna Maria Island Community Center. They had an indoor gymnasium which would be perfect for playing on year round. Which it was! They allowed them to use the gym, the Selbys purchased some indoor standards and nets, and Pickleball grew quickly.
Then they tore the center down to make way for a new and larger facility. During that time the group played on the outdoor tennis courts (which can be very challenging with the winds on the island) in an adjoining island town 3 or 4 times a week. During that time Mary and Mike worked with staff at the center and planned how pickleball would be an integral part of the new center's activities. Holes were drilled for the poles and new regulation nets were purchased. The pickleball courts were permanently outlined on the floor.
The new center has now been open for about a year and 6 days a week time has been assigned just for pickleball. Pickleball takes up the entire gymnasium, so it did take a bit of scheduling and juggling of times. During the winter when the center has basketball leagues, the group started to play again down island on the tennis courts. "Marking and taping the courts is a hassle, but it is worth it just to have a chance to play" say the Selby's.
The Selbys live part time in the summer in North Carolina in a town called Flat Rock just outside of Asheville. They have started pickleball there too, as they just can’t seem to live with out the game. "We have about 22 players on a fairly regular basis….and not one person knew anything about pickleball when we started it there.
The community has even allowed us to paint one of the tennis courts with pickleball lines, so that really helps. We also just introduced it to another golf community and they are very excited about it, as well. It just keeps getting bigger and better!" they comment.
"We hope to get more involved with USAPA and help the sport in any way we can. It’s so great to be able to share such a wonderful sport with so many people " states Mary.
Mary and Mike became members of the USAPA for the first time on November 13, 2008. They were recommended by Earl Hill and approved as ambassadors for their area in Asheville, North Carolina on Sunday, December 14, 2008. If the USAPA had such a category as a life time member, they would be at the top of the list for the award.
Welcome to the newest ambassadors to the Atlantic South Region - Mary and Mike Selby
Mary and Mike Selby are pickleball-aholics………..and have been since they were introduced to the game about 8 years ago by Bob and Bev Youngren. They owned an RV and when they visited a park in California and played for the first time……..they were hooked!
Shortly after learning the game, they loved it SO much and wanted to play whenever they wished, they built a court in their yard in Fallbrook, California just outside of San Diego. They put in a concrete court with a small fence at the rear with commercial grade lights so they could play into the wee hours of the morning…..and they often did! They had wonderful neighbors who played with them, so that really helped! They even built a little shed to house a toilet and refrigerator so no one would have to go up to the main house while they were playing. "We played a LOT of pickleball…..and had a LOT of new friends!" says Mary.
Then they decided to move to Florida, Anna Maria in particular. Mary relates, "I knew I did not want to live without pickleball. The first house we bought was chosen because it had a driveway large enough for a pickleball court. As soon as we moved in, we started playing on the driveway…….not too great, but it worked!"
No one had ever heard of Pickleball before, but they soon had a small following and that’s when they decided to speak with the Anna Maria Island Community Center. They had an indoor gymnasium which would be perfect for playing on year round. Which it was! They allowed them to use the gym, the Selbys purchased some indoor standards and nets, and Pickleball grew quickly.
Then they tore the center down to make way for a new and larger facility. During that time the group played on the outdoor tennis courts (which can be very challenging with the winds on the island) in an adjoining island town 3 or 4 times a week. During that time Mary and Mike worked with staff at the center and planned how pickleball would be an integral part of the new center's activities. Holes were drilled for the poles and new regulation nets were purchased. The pickleball courts were permanently outlined on the floor.
The new center has now been open for about a year and 6 days a week time has been assigned just for pickleball. Pickleball takes up the entire gymnasium, so it did take a bit of scheduling and juggling of times. During the winter when the center has basketball leagues, the group started to play again down island on the tennis courts. "Marking and taping the courts is a hassle, but it is worth it just to have a chance to play" say the Selby's.
The Selbys live part time in the summer in North Carolina in a town called Flat Rock just outside of Asheville. They have started pickleball there too, as they just can’t seem to live with out the game. "We have about 22 players on a fairly regular basis….and not one person knew anything about pickleball when we started it there.
The community has even allowed us to paint one of the tennis courts with pickleball lines, so that really helps. We also just introduced it to another golf community and they are very excited about it, as well. It just keeps getting bigger and better!" they comment.
"We hope to get more involved with USAPA and help the sport in any way we can. It’s so great to be able to share such a wonderful sport with so many people " states Mary.
Mary and Mike became members of the USAPA for the first time on November 13, 2008. They were recommended by Earl Hill and approved as ambassadors for their area in Asheville, North Carolina on Sunday, December 14, 2008. If the USAPA had such a category as a life time member, they would be at the top of the list for the award.
Pickles. The Pritchard Family pet
the Game Pickleball was named for.
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