David Zapatka Spin is one of the most underrated game-changing skills. While beginners often focus on simply getting the ball over the net, intermediate and advanced players know that adding spin can create awkward bounces, force errors, and open up the court. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your offensive tools or add finesse to your…
Tag: pickleball
Sports, February 2026
Who Wakes Up Very Early to Play Pickleball at 6 a.m.?
Spike Razem For the past three years whether it be summer heat or winter cold, the same group gets to the North courts early (i.e., 5:50 a.m.) to start the day whacking that yellow plastic ball. The PC Pickleball AM Group includes 48 people and is organized using the Spond App by Bob Funkhouser, Mark…
Sports, February 2026
Celebrating PebbleCreek Pickleball!
Barbara Wellington In 2004, Grover Lumbard started PebbleCreek Pickleball with four courts on the Eagle’s Nest side. We can thank him and many others for bringing the sport to our community, bringing joy to thousands. Beth Kelly, PebbleCreek Pickleball’s club historian, can tell you a lot about the club’s early days. Her chronicling of the…
Sports, January 2026
Relishing Pickleball: Aggressive Dinking
David Zapatka Dinking is often misunderstood as purely defensive play—a soft, patient exchange while you wait for your opponent to make a mistake. The most effective pickleball players know that dinking can be a powerful offensive weapon. Aggressive dinking transforms you from a passive participant into the player dictating the pace and creating opportunities to…
Generals, January 2026
Serve, Rally, Rescue: Healthcare Volunteers Needed for First Aid Crew
Barbara Wellington Have you ever considered serving at a pickleball tournament without a paddle? Well, you can, opportunities are available Feb. 25, 26, and 27 this year. The PebbleCreek 10th Anniversary Tournament is looking for medical professionals to staff our first aid tent in the upcoming tournament. We are fortunate to have Pat Chernow, former…
Sports, January 2026
Lions, Tigers, and Pickleball, Oh My!
Barbara Wellington PebbleCreek’s 10th Annual Pickleball Tournament will be held Feb. 25–27. The club will once again host a silent auction featuring an exceptional African photo safari package. The prize is a seven-day, six-night African photo safari for two. The package includes six nights’ lodging, all meals, and six open-vehicle game drives on a private…
Sports, December 2025
Relishing Pickleball: No Man’s Land
David Zapatka No man’s land, sometimes referred to as the transition area, aka the kitchen, is the area of the pickleball court between the non-volley zone line and the baseline. Think of it as a space 11 feet long and 20 feet wide; two feet behind the non-volley zone line and two feet inside the…
Features, December 2025
PebbleCreek Resident’s Artistic Touch Celebrates 10 Years of Pickleball
Barbara Wellington PebbleCreek resident Karen Long has a long list of lifetime accomplishments, which now includes the top designer for the PebbleCreek Pickleball Club’s 10th Anniversary Award Medal. When the call went out for a special design for a special event, designed by a resident, Karen decided she’d give it a try. Karen’s a very…
Sports, September 2025
Relishing Pickleball: The ESPY Awards Recognize Pickleball!
David Zapatka The ESPY Awards, or Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Awards, are an annual American awards show produced by ESPN that recognizes individual and team athletic achievements and other sports-related performances. The awards are presented for achievements during the calendar year preceding the ceremony. Has pickleball ever been recognized in the ESPY Awards ceremony?…
Features, September 2025
Chance Encounter with Fellow PebbleCreek Pickleball Player!
Joe Lorino While escaping the Arizona heat in mid July, fellow Creekers and beer enthusiasts ran into each other at the Breckenridge Beer Festival in Colorado. Attendees sampled beers from local area breweries while listening to live music and visiting vendors.