I wont go into all the "politics" involved here but in the end a vocal minority was able to get this world class event cancelled........ somewhat.
The US doubles Pickleball championships at the Villages IS now cancelled. In it place will be our regular senior games.
However the two day exhibition and clinic featuring 7 of the best PB players in the world ( 5 seniors and 2 non seniors ) IS STILL going to be held.April 21 and 22. It will be sponsored by the newly forming "VILLAGES PICKLEBALL CLUB". The rec dept was worried about expenses. As a club we will be greatly reducing expenses ( only airfare will be paid for the 7 pros ) we will be housing them in our homes. We will be providing transportation for them in OUR cars. And we wont have bleachers.
THE INTIAL MEETING OF THIS NEW CLUB WILL BE at Lake Miona Rec center inside on Friday Feb 15th at 1:00. We truly hope that anyone that is interested in PB will attend and give their input as to the makeup and runnings of this new club. As a recognized private club we can do SO much more than what the rec dept would allow. Socials, play with the medalists, top events like the one mentioned here etc. We want to have events catered to everyone , not just a few .
The rec dept has already approved the club and has given us the new Bradenton Rec center courts for the April 21 and 22 world class exhibition tournament featuring the best in the world vs the two best local teams. There will also be a top ladies match to watch. Then on monday the 22 these top class players will give a clinic showing us all how they did the things they did in the previous day exhibition.
We wont have expensive bleachers so most of you will want to bring chairs. We plan on spreading the exhibition onto three courts with wide perimiter seating only two levels deep so everyone will have a good view.
At the Friday Feb 15th meeting at miona you will also be able to join the PB club for about $25 and get free entry into this one day event, or if you dont want to join the club, you will be able to purchase tickets to the two day event for $12 ( for BOTH days, not 12 each day).
Feel free to email me with any questions you may have. Hope to see you friday the 15th at miona.
Jeff.......JLSHANK@HOTMAIL.COM
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