Referee Seminar

To All Pickleball Club Members

As Director of our March tournament, Al Hager has asked Nancy and me to manage the referee portion of the tournament. For the tournament to function smoothly, it's critical that we have a large number of trained and willing referees. We need to have trained referees for all 16 courts all day for 3 days plus backups so that no one gets burned out from refereeing too many matches. With tournaments at Palm Creek, Mission Royale and Robson, our area needs a large number of qualified referees. I know a number of our members attended the training session at Palm Creek led by Tom Gearhart and then practiced during our round robins at Robson. Tom has again graciously agreed to provide a training seminar. This training is essential for those of you who have not refereed in the past and I'm sure a refresher course would be helpful for those who took last year's training, but have not had much experience at tournaments throughout the year. As noted in the flyer below, the training will require attendance at both the January 5th and 12th sessions.

If you're interested in becoming a referee and willing to attend the 2 training sessions, please send an e-mail to larrykraus@yahoo.com so we can contact Rosemary Reese at Palm Creek to ensure that passes are available and also add you to our list of possible referees. We appreciate the commitment of our members to help ensure that our tournament is a smoothly run, first class endeavor.

Larry and Nancy Kraus

Referee Seminar

Do you want to learn how to referee a pickleball game? If you do, we as a club need you. Just sign up at the pickleball courts.

WHEN: Saturday, January 5, 2013 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M.

Where: Pickleball Courts

Commitment: 2 Saturdays (Jan. 5^th & Jan 12^th & practice refereeing 12 games before “In-house Tournament”.

What you should do before the seminar: Go to USAPA.org and click on Official rules, print them and then read and understand them. Understanding the rules is imperative to being a good referee.

Instructor, Tom Gearhart #389

2013 Board of Directors

Election Results for the Robson Ranch AZ Pickleball Club for 2013 are:

Sandy Byrnes - Vice President

Larry Kraus - Treasurer
Dave Lawell - Director-at-Large

Ken McManis - Director-at-Large

The 2013 Board of Directors will be:

Don Pixley - President

Sandy Byrnes - Vice President

Dard Price - Secretary

Larry Kraus - Treasurer

Steve Falek - Director-at-Large

Dave Lawell - Director-at-Large

Ken McManis - Director-at-Large

Robson Ranch View publication

Despite a warm and humid summer, the courts at Robson Ranch here in Eloy have had close to 8-10 people playing daily with an influx of up to 28 or more when the Summer League would visit on Mondays.  On Labor Day, Robson Ranch was the host to the Summer League which you see pictured.  The Summer League consists of hardy desert players from Palm Creek, Mission Royale, and Robson Ranch. The League played throughout the summer varying the venues on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

While many stayed here at the Ranch this summer, others tried to beat the heat and humidity in other parts of the US. Some members were not terribly successful as summer in many other states were sometimes more humid and hot as verified by Larry Kraus who stated July 4th was hotter in Michigan than it was here on the 4th. (In case you forgot, our July 4th pool party and parade was canceled due to rain with very cool temperatures.) Dale Mumy, who visited during the summer for a few weeks, stated it was hotter in Ohio before he left there than it was in Eloy.  I think he brought a bit of humidity with him unfortunately.

Some of our more competitive members were out winning medals of various colors this summer. A quick check shows: Mike Rains with 3 Golds and a Bronze; Al Hager with a Gold, 3 Silvers, and a Bronze; Larry Kraus with 2 Golds; and finally Nancy Kraus with a Gold.

As a club we have at least two very exciting things coming up this season. First, will be lights on courts 5-12 which will enable us to play in the cooler evenings and also enable late tournament games if necessary. Secondly, our first USAPA sanctioned Pickleball Tournament will be held March 21-24, 2013.  I have confirmed lessons for 3.0 and above players will once again be given by Larry Kraus, as well as, referee instruction for our tournament.

For more information about the RRAZ Pickleball Club please go to the RR HOA site under clubs and find pickleball and/or visit our blog at http://robsonranchpickleballclub.blogspot.com/ .  Everyone is welcome to come to a lesson to see if pickleball is for them.  Check the board by the pickleball courts for lesson information.  Membership in the club is $20 for the complete year or $10 after August 31^st.  Our dues year runs from January 1 to December 31.

Royal Oak, MI Tournament

Larry Kraus and his partner Bud Stefanko took the gold in the Men’s 4.0 skill level event at the Royal Oak Summer tournament.   The tournament which was held Aug  24-26^th in Royal Oak, MI had a total of 101 teams playing over the 3 days.   Full results can be found here. 

Michigan Tournament Winners

Nancy Kraus and her partner took a gold in the 65-69 age bracket at the Michigan Senior Olympics which was held June 11-15 in Rochester,  MI.    Full results can be found here . 

Larry Kraus and his partner Tom Burkhart took the gold in the Men’s  60-64 age bracket at the Meijer State Games of Michigan which was held June 23-24^th in Grand Rapids, MI.   Full results can be found here. 

New windsock for courts

Sun City Anthem Pickleball Club Invitational

On Wednesday, April 4^th, the Sun City Anthem Pickleball Club joined the Robson Ranch AZ Pickleball Club in a 3.5 skill level Round Robin.  Despite the early morning drive from Florence, twenty one players from Sun City Anthem met our club members and two Robson Ranch Preferred Guests on the courts at 8 AM.  A Continental Breakfast was provided by our club for our visitors thanks to Veronica Long, Charlie Forbush, and Barb Hager.  Our visitors loved our new courts and thought they were beautiful.  They really appreciated all the extra perks like the nets which were for pickleball, rather than tennis, the different colors of the kitchen from the rest of the court, and the PVC pickleball holders.  A few players who will be here throughout the summer hope to join our summer league also.  All players were glad to play and met new people.  It is great to share our beautiful new courts with others.

Robson Ranch AZ 1st Annual Skill Level Tournament

Keep these dates open: Robson Ranch AZ 1st Annual Skill Level Tournament will be held March 21-24, 2013.  Click here for more information.

Clinic update

Larry Kraus will continue to do clinics until the end of April on Wednesdays at 2 PM.  If you haven't been to one of his clinics, now is the time before he returns to Michigan for the summer.  Every level is welcome.

Round Robin with Sun City Anthem

I recently received an email from a couple of members of the Sun City Anthem Pickleball Club wanting to do a social Round Robin as they have done in previous years.   Although we have always gone to Florence where they are located, I invited them to try out our new courts.  So we have scheduled a Round Robin for 3.5 players on Wednesday, April 4th, starting at 8 AM here at Robson.  Please sign up at the courts for this event so we know how many to expect.  A sign up sheet should be in place by tomorrow afternoon.

I asked if their club had any interest for their 3.0 players to also do a social Round Robin.  She said she would check.  So 3.0 players stay tuned for new competition.

Nancy

Sun City West Second Annual Fun in the Sun Invitational

Congratulations to Al Hager for bringing home a gold medal in the Men's Doubles - Skill Groups 5.0 .  The tournament was held in Sun City, AZ on March 11-14^th; click here for full results of the tournament.

2012 Palm Creek Annual Pickleball Tournament

Congratulations to Larry Kraus and his partner Bud Stefanko for their Bronze medal in the Men’s Skill Doubles 4.0

Congratulations to Mike Rains and his partner Sue Liley for their Silver medal in the Mixed Skill Doubles 4.5.

Congratulations to Mike Rains and his partner Mike Deaton for their Silver medal in the Men’s Doubles 50+

Congratulations to Al Hager and his partner Yoda Friedenberg for their Silver medal in the Men’s Skill Doubles 5.0  and Gold medal in the Men’s Doubles 60+

The 9^th Annual Tournament was held on March 2^nd through March 4, for full results of the tournament click here. 

Grand Canyon State Games – Arizona State Pickleball Championships

Congratulations to Larry Kraus for bringing home a silver medal in the Mens Doubles - Skill Groups 4.0 .  The tournament was held in Sun City, AZ on February 23-26^th; click here for full results of the tournament.

Public Grand Opening

Today was the Grand Opening of the new model homes and pickleball courts, which brings our court number to a total of 16.  There was live musical entertainment, prize drawings, and food specials.  


The registration table was busy

The courts were busy as well

Many spectators enjoy the activities

For additional photos taken by Charlene Rule click here.



Tournament Director

The Board is pleased to announce Al Hager as the Tournament Director for our first USAPA Tournament.  Stay tuned for date selection.

We have numbers!

New benches and windscreens

Club Reminders

Due to the public Grand Opening on February 18th, the courts will be closed to routine schedule play from 10:30 AM until 4 PM. Anyone wishing to be hosts with possible play time during the public Grand Opening should contact Dard Price

Mark your calendars for Palm Creek's 9th Annual Pickleball Tournament from March 1-3, 2012. The drive isn't far, and since many of you have been participating in inter community play, you know many of the players and have become friends.

Friday, March 1, 2012, Women's Doubles by age groups (50+, 55+, 60+, 65+, and 70+) will start at 8 AM followed by Men's Skill Level Doubles (3.5, 4.0, 4.5, and 5.0) at 10 AM.

Saturday, March 2, 2012, will be for Mixed Doubles Skill Levels only starting at 8 AM

Sunday, March 3, 2012, at 8 AM the Men's Doubles for age group will start followed by Women's Skill level doubles at 10 AM.

Players from Robson Ranch entered in the Palm Creek Tournament are Al Hager, Mike Rains, Larry Kraus, Charlie Forbush, Caroline Anderson, Terri Yates, and Nancy Friedman. If anyone else is interested in registering to play in this tournament please note the entry deadline is no later than February 19th.

Mission Royale Tournament

Several members of the Robson Ranch pickleball club participated in the First Annual Mission Royale tournament this past weekend.   See full results of the tournament here.

Nancy and Terry warming up.

Larry Kraus participates in a 4.0 match

Mike Rains and his partner Jon Jensen won an exciting Men’s 4.5 tie–breaker match for a gold medal.  Congratulations  Mike!!!!

Congratulations to Al  Hager for his gold medals in both the Men’s 5.0, and also in the Mixed 50-54.

Robson Ranch of AZ Opens 12 New Courts

The Robson Ranch AZ Pickleball Club would like to invite all players to join us on Saturday, February 18, 2012 from 11am - 4pm, for the Grand Opening of our 12 new pickleball courts, which will bring our court number to a total of 16, and new model homes. We would love for you to bring your paddle and a chair to join us in a few social games on our new courts. There will be live musical entertainment, prize drawings for pickleball paddles, food specials and even a few teachers available for beginners. Court times will be assigned by sign in time and level of play. Join us and other pickleball players for some fun play, story swapping and a great afternoon at Robson Ranch.

Volunteers needed for public Grand Opening on Feb 18th.

For our public Grand Opening which will be coordinated with Robson's Marketing Department in conjunction with their opening of the 3 new models, our club will be hosting other clubs and their members.  We will need volunteers to help coordinate at each set of 4 courts minimum to show what courts people have been assigned to play and to fill in if a group is short a player or two to make a foursome.  I would love to have at least 32 members to help with the Grand Opening, but will welcome even more since the Grand Opening will be from 11-4.  

A few teachers might be needed if someone happens to visit who doesn't know how to play. Court times will be assigned for visitors by sign in time and level of play.  Please sign up at the courts or email Nancy.

Clinic on strategy, tips and drills

A great clinic was given on Wednesday  to the 3.5 players by Larry Kraus with the help of Mike Rains.  The strategy, tips, and drills taught were excellent.  There will be a clinic next Wednesday at 2:30 PM for 3.0 players.   The late start will be so the 3.0 Ladies who play in the league can make it back for the clinic.  A sign up sheet will be at the courts in the morning for next Wednesday's clinic on February 8th at 2:30 PM.

Congratulations to our Tournament Winners

Mike Rains and Al Hager were tournament winners at Tucson Senior Olympic Festival at Voyager RV.  

• Mike Rains took 2 silver medals for Men's Doubles and Men's Singles for age group 55-59
• Al Hager took a bronze in mixed coed doubles skill level 5.0

Mike Rains and Al Hager were also tournament winners at Happy Trails Classic.   

• Mike Rains took a silver in men's doubles for age group 55-59
• Al Hager took a silver in men's doubles for age group 60-64 and a gold for mixed doubles age 50-54

Grand Opening of the new Pickleball Courts

The Grand Opening of the new Pickleball Courts was held today for the Robson Ranch residents.   It included a ribbon cutting celebration, player exhibition, demonstrations and instruction for anyone interested in trying out the sport.

The following are a few photos of the events, click here to view the entire photo album.

Getting closer!!!!!

Ladies Pickleball Social

Thank you to Jan Ballman for hosting the second annual Ladies Pickleball Social.  As you can see from the photos we had a good turn out and lots of food!

Fencing installed on new courts