Hot Pickleball night

Sixty members of The Canyon Lake Pickleball Club flocked to the Canyon Lake pickleball courts over the weekend to participate in the annual Hot August Nights Tournament. The two-night event had divisions that represented all four skill levels.

The first night of the tournament included two of the skill levels.

A tournament with the “beginners” started the evening off. Sixteen community members (most of whom had just been introduced to the sport through free lessons offered by the club), were grouped together to play a round robin of four matches. First place in this group was Sue Collins, second place Jack Dobransky, and third place Richard Aldersley.

In the nightcap of the double header, the “men’s extreme” group played.

“These 12 men represented some of the club’s best of the best and the action was fast and furious,” Pickleball Club Secretary Steve Libring said. “They gave quite a show for the audience watching.”

Topping the Men’s Extreme tournament was undefeated Mike Patton, who finished with a perfect score. Second place went to Derek Whitt, and third place went to Tim Boman.

The club provided a barbecue dinner at the conclusion of the evening’s play.

The combination of traces of smoke from the Tenaja Fire in Murrieta and the sun setting on the lake provided quite the colorful background for the remaining two group levels the following night.

The 16 Intermediate “B” players were the first group to compete the second night. The Intermediate “B” skill level is the largest group of players in the club of 250 members. After battling the wind, the heat, and each other Krista Smith and Greg Wilson were awarded first place. Finishing in a tie for third place were Joe Quinn and Patty Garcia.

With the lights turned on, the Intermediate “A” group was the final skill group to take the courts and each contestant played four rounds of pickleball with different partners and different opponents.

“This group has some very talented men and women,” Steve said. “While they played mixed doubles, individual awards were handed out to the top men and top women competing.”

The grand prize for the Intermediate “A” Tournament for women went to Club Treasurer Kimberly Keigwin. Second place was Nancy Contreras and in a third place tie were Kim Nethercott and Beth Crane.

The winner of the  Intermediate “A” for the men was Russ Muscarella. Second place was a tie between Tony Nethercott and Jim Sisco.

Those with the highest scores in each skill level received gift cards to the Canyon Lake POA Lodge or Country Club.

“While pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the U.S., it’s still relatively new to Canyon Lake,” Julie Doherty, the club’s Tournament and Social Director, said. “Currently, Canyon Lake residents of all ages are joining our club every week. Our tournament was at full capacity and proved to be a great time for all who attended. We look forward to many more social events for the club in the next few months. Stay out of the kitchen and play pickleball.”

Anybody in the community can join The Canyon Lake Pickleball Club. Dues are $30.00 for a three-year membership. Free lessons are offered to anybody wanting to learn pickleball. Email steve.libring@gmail.com to make arrangements.

Photos provided by Steve Libring.

Kimberly Keigwin, First Place Women’s Intermediate A.

Sue Collins, First Place Beginner

Greg Wilson, First Place Men Intermediate B

Krista Smith, First Place Women Intermediate B