Non-Villages resident looking to play pickleball

[yaboicolbs]

Howdy everyone,

I am a fairly serious pickleball player, and have nowhere to play where I live. As a non-Villages resident, is there a way I can play? I live in the Tri-County area so guest passes aren't an option, correct? I am not a senior citizen. I need to be able to practice in a semi-competitive atmosphere in preparation for upcoming tournaments. I also need to get a tournament rating, however I'm worried that the monthly Lake Miona clinic is for Villages residents only. I imagine I am around a 4.0, however I am pretty young so I'd like to see how I stack up against some of the 5.0 players that live in The Villages.

[Bogie Shooter]

The Villages - Search for New, Pre-owned Homes and Villas in The Villages, Florida (http://www.thevillages.com/homefinder/)

[n8xwb]

You may not use any of the facilities here. As you noted, you are not eligible for or a guest pass. Only other option is to buy a home and become a Villager!!!

[village dreamer]

we pay monthly fees for up keep of our pickleball courts.

[Jayhawk]

Howdy everyone,

I am a fairly serious pickleball player, and have nowhere to play where I live. As a non-Villages resident, is there a way I can play? I live in the Tri-County area so guest passes aren't an option, correct? I am not a senior citizen. I need to be able to practice in a semi-competitive atmosphere in preparation for upcoming tournaments. I also need to get a tournament rating, however I'm worried that the monthly Lake Miona clinic is for Villages residents only. I imagine I am around a 4.0, however I am pretty young so I'd like to see how I stack up against some of the 5.0 players that live in The Villages.

Here's a place in Leesburg.


Welcome (http://hawthornepickleball.com/index.php)

[ureout]

Howdy everyone,

I am a fairly serious pickleball player, and have nowhere to play where I live. As a non-Villages resident, is there a way I can play? I live in the Tri-County area so guest passes aren't an option, correct? I am not a senior citizen. I need to be able to practice in a semi-competitive atmosphere in preparation for upcoming tournaments. I also need to get a tournament rating, however I'm worried that the monthly Lake Miona clinic is for Villages residents only. I imagine I am around a 4.0, however I am pretty young so I'd like to see how I stack up against some of the 5.0 players that live in The Villages.


to truly test your abilities you need to be playing people in your own age group... if you are a 4.0 and pretty young, you should easily beat a 4.5 level player that is 30 to 40years older than you...

[Topspinmo]

If you get to know some of the elite players and attend their pay clinic's or private lessons you can sneak on to courts at certain rec centers, on the occasion rec center employees come out checking ids and you are not on the court you will be ask to leave with no resident ID card. Some of the elite player even give lessons during open play times. IMO private lessons on Rec center courts should only be allowed if the rec center get cut of the pie and are at times when no courts are being untilized by residents, which means they have low priority. Volunteer free clinics are different and scheduled through the rec center. I have observed this playing at Rec centers. :faint:

[rustyp]

If you get to know some of the elite players and attend their pay clinic's or private lessons you can sneak on to courts at certain rec centers, on the occasion rec center employees come out checking ids and you are not on the court you will be ask to leave with no resident ID card. Some of the elite player even give lessons during open play times. IMO private lessons on Rec center courts should only be allowed if the rec center get cut of the pie and are at times when no courts are being untilized by residents, which means they have low priority. Volunteer free clinics are different and scheduled through the rec center. I have observed this playing at Rec centers. :faint:

This is the worst advice I have ever seen given here and I've seen plenty. Go ahead rob the bank it's OK until you get caught.

[dbussone]

There are a couple of church's (outside of TV) that have indoor courts.


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[fred53]

This is the worst advice I have ever seen given here and I've seen plenty. Go ahead rob the bank it's OK until you get caught.

there's always someone around to tell you to bend/break the rules. Probably why there are so many complaints about people breaking the rules.

[chuckinca]

IMHO:

The Villages MSA, aka Sumter County, needs to install a lighted 8 court or more pickleball facility outside the Villages so that the many Villages advanced pickleball players and non-villages advanced pickleball players can have a place to play against each other. It can also be used by other pickleballers from the tri-county area for established leagues similar to softball (outsider the Villages) when not used by the advanced players.

Also, it could be used for large multi state pickleball tournaments and national pickleball championships using needed additional courts obtained from local communities willing to participate other than the Villages.

.

[CFrance]

Our pickleball courts are crowded enough in the winter. I would not like to give my spot up to a non Villager who doesn't pay amenity fees. Why did I move here... I moved here willing to pay money to have private access to facilities not open to the general public.

IMO, non villagers who are not eligible to be guests should lobby their own communities to establish their own pickleball courts and leagues.

[dbussone]

Our pickleball courts are crowded enough in the winter. I would not like to give my spot up to a non Villager who doesn't pay amenity fees. Why did I move here... I moved here willing to pay money to have private access to facilities not open to the general public.

IMO, non villagers who are not eligible to be guests should lobby their own communities to establish their own pickleball courts and leagues.



Amen to that!


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[manaboutown]

They are private property. duh!

[villagetinker]

Howdy everyone,

I am a fairly serious pickleball player, and have nowhere to play where I live. As a non-Villages resident, is there a way I can play? I live in the Tri-County area so guest passes aren't an option, correct? I am not a senior citizen. I need to be able to practice in a semi-competitive atmosphere in preparation for upcoming tournaments. I also need to get a tournament rating, however I'm worried that the monthly Lake Miona clinic is for Villages residents only. I imagine I am around a 4.0, however I am pretty young so I'd like to see how I stack up against some of the 5.0 players that live in The Villages.

Please play by the rules, you cannot play here, as you do not own a home, and you live too close for a guest pass. So your options are buy a house here, or convince the area where you live to put in suitable courts, then you can invite players to your court. I do not agree with any suggestions to 'slip in' to play, and if you think about it as soon as people realize you are so good, it will come out you do not live here.......

[Wiotte]

If you get to know some of the elite players and attend their pay clinic's or private lessons you can sneak on to courts at certain rec centers, on the occasion rec center employees come out checking ids and you are not on the court you will be ask to leave with no resident ID card. Some of the elite player even give lessons during open play times. IMO private lessons on Rec center courts should only be allowed if the rec center get cut of the pie and are at times when no courts are being untilized by residents, which means they have low priority. Volunteer free clinics are different and scheduled through the rec center. I have observed this playing at Rec centers. :faint:



Personally I don't appreciate club members advising non club members how to "sneak" in. Really ???


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[jimmemac]

Finally posters who have a brain!!!! Thank God sanity does exist!!!

[rubicon]

IMHO:

The Villages MSA, aka Sumter County, needs to install a lighted 8 court or more pickleball facility outside the Villages so that the many Villages advanced pickleball players and non-villages advanced pickleball players can have a place to play against each other. It can also be used by other pickleballers from the tri-county area for established leagues similar to softball (outsider the Villages) when not used by the advanced players.

Also, it could be used for large multi state pickleball tournaments and national pickleball championships using needed additional courts obtained from local communities willing to participate other than the Villages.

.

Your suggestion, and rightly so, is going to draw a "and what about------players". What you propose in my view should be accomplished with a private club or through a church, etc supported by entrance/monthly fees and not villages amenitiy fees nor county taxes

[yaboicolbs]

Thank you everyone for your responses.

IMHO:

The Villages MSA, aka Sumter County, needs to install a lighted 8 court or more pickleball facility outside the Villages so that the many Villages advanced pickleball players and non-villages advanced pickleball players can have a place to play against each other. It can also be used by other pickleballers from the tri-county area for established leagues similar to softball (outsider the Villages) when not used by the advanced players.

Also, it could be used for large multi state pickleball tournaments and national pickleball championships using needed additional courts obtained from local communities willing to participate other than the Villages.

.

I agree wholly with this. It would bring local recognition to the sport and it would make TV money. With TV being such a hotspot for pickleball, this should be a no brainer.

I wish Sumter County had the $$$ for that.

I do see that everyone here pays fees to use the amenities, and I agree that normal play should be limited to those who are paying. With that being said, people would definitely pay to play in tournaments, even if they were held monthly or bimonthly and those who aren't residents only being allowed to play at those designated times.


And, a mostly unrelated side note:

Where do you guys buy your pickleball gear? i buy balls from Dick's Sporting goods, as they sell the official ball for the majority of the tournaments i've played in. The paddle selection there is rather weak.

I have a deal with a smaller company called "Amazin' Aces", and they've sent me each release of their paddles. I can speak to the quality of their products. If anyone is interested, check them out at the site below. Tell them Colby sent you!

Amazin' Aces Pickleball | Pickleball Paddles For Beginners To Pros! (http://amazinaces.com/)

[Topspinmo]

Personally I don't appreciate club members advising non club members how to "sneak" in. Really ???


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Not advising, just telling like is is

[Topspinmo]

This is the worst advice I have ever seen given here and I've seen plenty. Go ahead rob the bank it's OK until you get caught.

Evidently you not aware of your surroundings. I don't like it one bit either, but there are rule breakers around. With little ID checks on outdoor facilities they sneak in. No one should be using our facilities without resident ID pass or visitors pass period. Just telling it is. The only courts I have been consistently checked for my I'd has been Chula Vista. That employee runs tight ship over there. I congratulate her for doing her job!

[Topspinmo]

Your suggestion, and rightly so, is going to draw a "and what about------players". What you propose in my view should be accomplished with a private club or through a church, etc supported by entrance/monthly fees and not villages amenitiy fees nor county taxes

IMO They only way that will work is some rich guy/gal donations large sum of cash and land donated. There no way facilities can be built and operate on courts fees being charged. Until somebody steps up to the plate and city gets on board it pipe dream.

[Wiotte]

Not advising, just telling like is is



Keep it within the members. Not cool at all.


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[Bogie Shooter]

IMHO:

The Villages MSA, aka Sumter County, needs to install a lighted 8 court or more pickleball facility outside the Villages so that the many Villages advanced pickleball players and non-villages advanced pickleball players can have a place to play against each other. It can also be used by other pickleballers from the tri-county area for established leagues similar to softball (outsider the Villages) when not used by the advanced players.

Also, it could be used for large multi state pickleball tournaments and national pickleball championships using needed additional courts obtained from local communities willing to participate other than the Villages.

.

Your opinion means nothing posted here to get any action. Go talk to the Sumter County Commisioners.

[Bogie Shooter]

Evidently you not aware of your surroundings. I don't like it one bit either, but there are rule breakers around. With little ID checks on outdoor facilities they sneak in. No one should be using our facilities without resident ID pass or visitors pass period. Just telling it is. The only courts I have been consistently checked for my I'd has been Chula Vista. That employee runs tight ship over there. I congratulate her for doing her job!

But why suggest to someone to break the rules? Is that helping to stop rule breakers??

[Allegiance]

Consideration should be given to issuing official trespass as I bet the unauthorized people that use the facilities do so often.

[Topspinmo]

But why suggest to someone to break the rules? Is that helping to stop rule breakers??

I don't recall my sentence starting as suggestion, simply telling like it is. The elites run card carrying villages off there special rec center for they're little click.

[rustyp]

If you get to know some of the elite players and attend their pay clinic's or private lessons you can sneak on to courts at certain rec centers, on the occasion rec center employees come out checking ids and you are not on the court you will be ask to leave with no resident ID card. Some of the elite player even give lessons during open play times. IMO private lessons on Rec center courts should only be allowed if the rec center get cut of the pie and are at times when no courts are being untilized by residents, which means they have low priority. Volunteer free clinics are different and scheduled through the rec center. I have observed this playing at Rec centers. :faint:

I can help you recall

[justjim]

Howdy everyone,

I am a fairly serious pickleball player, and have nowhere to play where I live. As a non-Villages resident, is there a way I can play? I live in the Tri-County area so guest passes aren't an option, correct? I am not a senior citizen. I need to be able to practice in a semi-competitive atmosphere in preparation for upcoming tournaments. I also need to get a tournament rating, however I'm worried that the monthly Lake Miona clinic is for Villages residents only. I imagine I am around a 4.0, however I am pretty young so I'd like to see how I stack up against some of the 5.0 players that live in The Villages.

OP, whatever taxing jurisdiction you live in the Tri County area, I would approach them for construction of some Pickleball Courts. Assuming there are other interested players, I would organize with them and made an effort to "Sell" this to your County or City or perhaps Park District if you have one. We pay for our courts here in The Villages and they are only for Villagers and their guests. Pickleball is a fast growing sport and Courts are popping up all around the country so why not where you live and pay taxes. Good luck.

[SFSkol]

As a new resident, I am confused by this tri-county rule. Which are these? Why doesn't TV offer for say, 300.00 a month for a pass. Twice the current fee, Only serious players would pay that much. (Insurance perhaps?)

Still learning the whys and wherefores of this unique community.

[Bogie Shooter]

As a new resident, I am confused by this tri-county rule. Which are these? Why doesn't TV offer for say, 300.00 a month for a pass. Twice the current fee, Only serious players would pay that much. (Insurance perhaps?)

Still learning the whys and wherefores of this unique community.

You are assuming there will be open court times to accommodate these "outside" customers. Not!
Find your answer to tri-county ID pass question here:
http://www.districtgov.org/departments/Recreation/images/Guest%20ID%20Policy.pdf

[YourGranny10]

We're working on that over at the Big House in Tavares (just outside of Leesburg). Feel free to email me if you want to be put on a mailing list. Would love to pick your brains on what kind of formats and options you'd want to see offered in a large, indoor, air conditioned facility. kim@bighouseusa.com

[Fraugoofy]

...

[Barefoot]

If you get to know some of the elite players and attend their pay clinic's or private lessons you can sneak on to courts at certain rec centers, on the occasion rec center employees come out checking ids and you are not on the court you will be ask to leave with no resident ID card. Some of the elite player even give lessons during open play times. IMO private lessons on Rec center courts should only be allowed if the rec center get cut of the pie and are at times when no courts are being untilized by residents, which means they have low priority. Volunteer free clinics are different and scheduled through the rec center. I have observed this playing at Rec centers.
It sounded as if you were suggesting the OP sneak on.
However you've made it clear that it wasn't your intention to suggest that.

[asianthree]

Thank you everyone for your responses.



I agree wholly with this. It would bring local recognition to the sport and it would make TV money. With TV being such a hotspot for pickleball, this should be a no brainer.

I wish Sumter County had the $$$ for that.

I do see that everyone here pays fees to use the amenities, and I agree that normal play should be limited to those who are paying. With that being said, people would definitely pay to play in tournaments, even if they were held monthly or bimonthly and those who aren't residents only being allowed to play at those designated times.


And, a mostly unrelated side note:

Where do you guys buy your pickleball gear? i buy balls from Dick's Sporting goods, as they sell the official ball for the majority of the tournaments i've played in. The paddle selection there is rather weak.

I have a deal with a smaller company called "Amazin' Aces", and they've sent me each release of their paddles. I can speak to the quality of their products. If anyone is interested, check them out at the site below. Tell them Colby sent you!

Amazin' Aces Pickleball | Pickleball Paddles For Beginners To Pros! (http://amazinaces.com/)

Unless it's summer it's hard to get on courts, but wondering are you promoting amazin aces or looking for a game?