Pancho Epstein
The history is a bit muggy; now trampled under the play of more than 1,000 members.
What is certain is that on June 8, 2007, according to an article in the July 2007 issue of the PebbleCreek Post, the first PebbleCreek Pickleball Club membership-social was held in the Chianti Room at Tuscany Falls. At that time, the club had 160 members and the blueprints for the Tuscany Sports Complex showed four courts would be built.
LuAnn Ashburn, the first club member and Grover Lumbard, the club founder and first president, had done a tremendous amount of research on why more than four courts were needed and sent that information to Ed Robson. But it would appear the insightful and forward thinking Robson was not only in step with the request, but likely a few strides ahead. Within three weeks, new prints showed eight courts. And as Creekers know, those eight courts have grown to 20.
According to Ashburn, the first day that the courts were open 170 members played.
So who were the first players? Actually, the first players hit the courts illegally the night before they were officially opened. Betty and Walter Royle (still active members) played under the rays of street lights and the moon.
Moving ahead, recently Rick Horst became the club’s 1,000th member. He was welcomed into the club by LouAnn Ashburn, Grover Lumbard and Officer at Large Bob Oswald who presented Rick his green name tag.
The PebbleCreek Pickleball Club has constantly grown and improved under the leadership of five presidents: Grover Lumbard, Steve Vincent, and Dennis “Big Bird” Makinen, Bill Pardue, Mike Crabtree and a cadre of involved members.
Also, the club created PebbleCreek’s largest outdoor musical event. This year the third annual PebbleCreek Pickleball Club Welcome Home Dinner-Concert will be held October 25 and feature the enormously popular band PebbleRock along with the debut appearance of singing group WeRockToo.
Constant music to members’ ears is what the club offers. Members receive free beginning, advanced and tournament instruction. Other activities include skill-level round-robins, ladders, tournaments, clinics, daily drop-in play, innumerable socials and tons of camaraderie. A website keeps members posted on upcoming events. Also courts can be reserved for play on the website.
At the rate of pickleball club growth, it’s possible that in the not too distant future, a letter will be addressed to Ed Robson requesting more courts. And if the past is any indication of the future, he likely will already have more courts in his thinking.
Want to join the fun and exercise without knowing you’re exercising? Contact Bob Oswald at [email protected]; 623-476-7553.
Be a player.