Pickleball is largest event at the Florida State Games
SW Florida Lee County will host the Florida State Senior Games Championship’s December 2 to10th 2006
Senior Pickleball Players (age 50 to 90) from all counties in Florida, who wish to compete in the 2006 State Championship Pickleball Games, will travel to the Ft.Myers area to compete for the Gold Medal in their sport..
Of all the many sports offered at the Florida State Championship Games, Pickleball has become the largest in the short span of three years. Last year there were over 300 entered the Pickleball competition. This growth of the sport has resulted from the its growth at The Villages where they have no less than 60 Pickleball Courts and will have as many as 90 when the development is fully built out.
The competition will be held on 3 days in December on 24 courts; 8 at FGCU, 8 at Rutenberg Community Park and 8 at Three Oaks Park. Singles will be held on the Saturday Dec 2 Mixed Doubles on Sunday, Dec 3rd and Mixed Doubles on Monday Dec 4th.2006
Unlike most sports in the Senior Games, where "qualifying" is a requirement; Pickle ball is not yet a sanction Sport and for this reason you do not have to "qualify "to play in the State Championship Games . Simply fill out a registration form and your in.
Lee County last Jan ran a Pickleball event so there are some player in the FT Myers area who will be competing.
Brookshire Bath and Tennis Club a private facility has converted two of it's 6 tennis courts for Pickleball play.
Wa Ka Hatchee Rec Center at the Lexington Middle School has set aside Friday mornings from 9 to 11 Am for Pickleball on to courts in their gym.
If your not doing anything on the 2,3rd or 4th of December take the time to visit one of the sites mentioned above and watch this fast new sport which is becomming popular all across the country.
On the 8th of December, at the Red Sox City of Palms Stadium, there will be a Senior Games Celebration, Parade of Champions, starting at about 4 PM.Tickets to attend the celebration cost $7.00 and includes a meal.
My Dixie Strollers Dixieland band has been hired to perform at the stadium on the 8th to welcome all comers from 4:00 to 6:00 PM. Don’t miss this exciting senior event.This is the first year that LeeCounty has hosted the event and will also host it in December of 2007 and 2008.
