Point Set Hosts Pickleball Team Tournament
At Point Set Racquet Club in Oceanside, the club’s pickleball director Bob Kessler ushered in an innovative event for its pickleball players, creating a team event.
Modeled after USTA tennis leagues, players formed teams to compete against one another, with the events being played over the course of three different weekends. There were competitions in at both the 3.0-3.5 level and 4.0-4.5 level, and the goal is to continue expanding on the success of these tournaments.
3.5-4.0 Champions: Sue Waleski, Scott Morck, Heidi Hothan, Michael Winter
4.0-4.5 Champions: Ashish Verghese, Dan Khodosh, Carina Szabo, Lisa Goldberg
As pickleball continues to grow, there will be more innovative events such as these in order to expand on the competitive aspect of the sport. Beyond its team tournaments, Point Set’s pickleball offerings feature, clinics, lessons and open play for all ages and levels.
Carefree Aims to Bring Tournaments This Spring
More than five years ago, Carefree Racquet Club was one of the first places on Long Island to lean into the ever-growing pickleball trend that had been navigating its way through our community.
In order to accommodate inquiries from its members about pickleball offerings, Carefree put lines down on two of its tennis courts to create four pickleball courts.
“Since we did that, every minute we can offer pickleball, the courts are booked,” said Kathy Miller, Carefree’s General Manager. “Between Open Play, Pickleball Learn & Plays and Drills, if there is ever available court time, it gets booked quickly. We also have 3.0 and 3.5 leagues.”
As the sport continue to increase in participation, tennis clubs such as Carefree have made the correct decision to accommodate that need. Many clubs have converted tennis courts into pickleball courts, and leagues have started to pop up across Long Island in addition to fun weekend events.
The next step? More tournaments for competitive players, which is something that Carefree plans to bring this spring.
“We would love to run tournaments, and plan to do so when the indoor season is over in May,” added Miller. “Watch out for some tournaments then!”
