This blog was written by Joe for Badminton but everything Joe is saying applies as well to Pickleball!!!
Last week I returned to visit the large Midwestern city that I had lived in for all but four years of my life. Having played badminton regularly here in Fort Myers since the Brookshire Badminton program began last fall, I was anxious to to return to the group that I used to play with and see how my game has progressed.
My game was fine. The group was not. While there are about 35 regular members (a healthy number) there was no leadership. No organization. The club has some outstanding players, but they will only play among themselves. I was told that when one "lesser" player asked to join in , they were told that they would be charged $50 for the privilege.
There was no one scheduling games or making sure that everyone played. I was lucky since I had a few friends there, so I got to play, but one could go there and sit for the two-hour session and not play.
In our Badminton Fort Myers program (only about 12 people) there is always someone making sure that the games move along, everyone plays,and through our handicap system, the games are evenly matched. Better players really benefit from the handicap system since they must play there best game from the first point when thet start 4 or five points behind.
Scores are recorded to chart each players progress, and weekly stats are posted and sent out via e-mail. Our better players take time to work with weaker players and there is a spirit of camaraderie.
I thank Doug Worhtington and Gerry French for creating a Badminton environment that welcomes and and develops anyone that has a desire to play.
