I would like all of our club members to welcome our newest member, Karleane Schoedinger.
Karleane Schoedinger
She joined us on Tuesday the 3rd of January. She’s a new player to the game so help her out as much as you can. She will be taking Jack and Joe’s class next month. Her membership brings us to over forty members (and growing). This is a great way to start 2012.
Just want to take a moment and thank our club members Jim & Pam Crotty for bringing two of their friends, John & Michelle Price, from Redding, CA to join us for some great pickleball as well as Mitch & Linda Mitchell, who brought two of their neighbors, Patty Beckes & Kelly Henry, to also join us on Thursday, December the 29th. It looks like we may have hooked them all on the greatest game around.
This is what our club is all about, promoting the game of pickleball and developing lasting friendships. Keep up the good work.
The Boise Area Pickleball Association held it’s first-ever (and—we hope—annual) Christmas Tournament on Tuesday, December 20. Though many of our snowbirds have flown off to warmer climates, we had nineteen players. Nick Leach and Joe Bonawitz tied for first on the men’s side, and Joe won a singles play-off. Tami Leach won on the women’s side. Our own resident cheerleader and seamstress, Ellen Gassaway, made embroidered towels for the winners, and club president Rudy Whitaker presented the trophies to the winners. 
Following the tournament, we had a pot-luck luncheon so that any weight we lost playing could be replaced (and increased). Thanks to all the cooks in our midst who brought so much delicious food.
Then, as if a tournament and luncheon weren’t enough, we had a white elephant gift exchange. Some gifts were quite popular, as Karen Miller knows only too well. Next year I predict we’ll see a lot more wine.
Following the gift exchange, Ben and Rhonda, the managers of Homecourt, stopped by to say a few words about the growth of Pickleball, both at Homecourt and nationally. Based on our current usage, we believe that we’ll have four painted courts next year, and that will solve two problems: a general shortage of places to play, and a place for the upper-level players to play. We also thanked them for their cooperation with a poinsettia and Christmas card signed by our tournament participants.
Any successful tournament needs players, of course. But more than that, it needs people behind the scenes to plan, organize, and manage. Nick and Tami Leach did a wonderful job of planning the tournament and organizing it. Diane Taylor kept track of scores and smiled equally at winners and losers. And Ellen and Don Gassaway, Maureen McFadden, Rodell Hill, and Marilyn Donahue came to cheer us all on. I think I can speak for all the players when I extend my gratitude to all of them. Finally, we didn’t have a Style trophy, but some members did their best to dress for the occasion. (Who knew elves played Pickleball?)
The BAPA isn’t the largest or oldest Pickleball club, but we have great members, and we DO know how to have a good time!
Keep your paddles up!
Pickleball Buddies,
Just wanted you all to know that Jack Bonawitz and his son Joe will be teaching an introduction to pickleball for beginners through the Boise Schools Community Education system this coming February through March. Jack would like to encourage you to tell your non-pickleball friends, family or neighbors, who may like to learn our game, to enroll in this fun and informative class.
Course listings may be viewed online at: http:/www.boiselearns.org/pub/
The class will be from 1:oo m to 2:00 pm on Thursdays at the HomeCourt YMCA in Meridian starting February 16th through March 22. The cost is $45, but all the proceeds go to the Boise Schools Community Education system.
You can also contact Jack or Joe on our play days at HomeCourt for further information and contact numbers.
Ho! Ho! Ho! Come one come all to our first annual Christmas Pickleball tournament on Tuesday December the 20th,2011. The tournament starts at 9am and we will have a “White Elephant” gift exchange right after the tournament ends. Oh yeah and there will be lots of food and fun so bring a guest or come and play. Club members play for free but there is a $5 dollar fee for non-members. Remember membership is only $12 a year for singles and $20 a year for husband and wife so why not join today!!! See you all there for food, fun and foolishness.
Please click on image for more information
Serve it up!
Boise Area Pickleball News 