Renee Ellison and Reese Hass. Photo by Dannie Cortez.
Sarah Marsh and Sharon Hadley. Photo by Dannie Cortez.
Jo Comstock. Photo by Dannie Cortez.
Cynthia Schwartz
2019 is a busy year for pickleball tournaments. In the United States, there are over 700 pickleball tournaments that provide opportunities for avid pickleball players to compete against other players in the same age bracket and skill level. In 2019, 82 pickleball tournaments are being held in Arizona. Slots to play in tournaments have been filling up fast, and wait lists are growing as pickleball has become a growing sport, especially for players over 50.
Taking the 100-mile drive to the 2019 Prescott Granite Mountain Pickleball Tournament, five PebbleCreek Pickleball Club members took medals home. Standing on the winners’ podium were Jo Comstock, Reese Hass, Renee Ellison, Sarah Marsh, and Sharon Hadley, who all won in several categories.
Gold: Jo Comstock and non-PC player (Mixed Doubles: Age 50+, 5.0 and 4.5 rating)
Silver: Jo Comstock and non-PC player (Women’s Doubles: Age 35+, 4.5 rating)
Gold: Sharon Hadley and Sarah Marsh (Women’s Doubles: Age 50+, 3.5 rating)
Bronze: Renee Ellison and Reese Haas (Women’s Doubles: Age 50+, 3.0 rating)
After living in Arizona for 10 years, Jo Comstock and her husband Mike decided to downsize when their children left for college. Finding a home with an established pickleball club was their number one priority, which led them to PebbleCreek.
Sharon Hadley and Sarah Marsh are both avid PebbleCreek golfers. Sarah has a 9-golf handicap and Sharon has a 3-golf handicap. Sharon and Sarah are members of the Ladies’ 18 PCLGA and PCLGA’s Roadrunner Travel Team. Both women started playing pickleball, thinking that they would get more exercise. It turned out that they developed a passion for the game. At the Prescott Granite Mountain Pickleball tournament, Sarah and Sharon beat the number one seed.
Renee Ellison started to play pickleball when her “golf buddy” suggested that they learn to play as part of a New Year’s resolution. Renee commented, “We hit the courts in January of 2018, and I have been hooked ever since! Along with all the fun the sport offers, I’ve really enjoyed meeting so many new people, and I am grateful to live in a community where, regardless of skill level, people are willing to help me improve my game.”
Reese Hass has been playing pickleball for two years. Reese said, “I do a combination of drilling and increasing my playing time to hone my skills. I still work, so I have to squeeze in pickleball where I can.” Reese continues to play golf, swim, and lift weights.
If you are interested in learning how to play one of the fastest growing sports in the United States and in PebbleCreek, visit the PebbleCreek Pickleball website at pcpbclub.org or email [email protected].