Club holds Sweethearts and Singles Tournament

The fifth annual Canyon Lake Pickleball Club Valentine’s Tournament turned into a celebration that was tons of fun with 48 of the 325 club members participating with dozens of club members and the community watching and cheering on their fellow pickleballers.

Group Three was made up mostly of newer members. Stacy and Casey Mungo scored 44 out of 44 possible points, going undefeated and taking home the 1st place prize money. Second place was won by Scott and Stephanie Hunter with 41 points and taking 3rd was Kyle and Ashlee Gribble with 39 points.

According to Steve Libring, club secretary, many of the players had never played pickleball until six months ago and these newbies are now participating and winning tournaments. It’s a testament to how fast the sport can be learned and what great fun pickleball is for all ages, he said.

Photo by Dawn Rankins

Group Two battled it out closely with only five points separating the top five teams out of the eight competing. When the balls and rackets settled, Rick Bowen and Margaret Little took first place with 42 out of the 44 points possible.

Second and third place winners split the prize money. Kim and Tony Netherkott along with Kimberly Keigwin and Paul Robles each scored 39 points.

Group One winners were Ken Ross and Tami Bowen (Rick’s daughter) with a perfect score of 44, going undefeated. They took the 1st place prize money and Tami and her dad will be enjoying all the prize money they earned at the POA restaurants as well as all the other top prize winners.

Second place went to Steve Libring and Val Gambino with 42 out of 44 possible points and taking third was Mike and Marga Kidd with 41 points.

Julie Doherty, social director for the Pickleball Club, ran a great tournament and the potluck food throughout the day was amazing, Steve said.

The Pickleball Club hosts a variety of tournaments throughout the year and hold an average of one every month or two. In December, the Club hosted Ladies Night Out, January had Friday Night Lights for the men of the club and February hosted the Sweethearts and Singles tournament for couples and singles to compete against each other.

In March, the Pickleball Club will hold its poker tournament where the best poker hands win, not just the best pickleball scores and the number of cards are obtained by how much players win or lose.

Steve said the Poker Tournament is a club favorite and really brings out the members.

“You don’t necessarily have to play well to win at the poker side of things,” he said. “It helps to win, though, as wins means players receive additional cards to choose from, however, just being a lucky drawer of cards has served many members well in the finish for top prize money.”

The Pickleball Club is open to all community residents. To learn more about the upcoming activities or how to become a member, contact Steve at steve.libring@gmail.com.