Page 6 - Boca Club News - October '22

Page 6, Boca Club News

Pickleball Runs Strong from page 1

For the uninitiated, Pickleball, which was invented in skill levels based upon Margin of Victory (points won),
1965, is a fast-paced crossover sport with elements from Type of Result (recreational play vs. league, sanctioned
tennis, ping pong and badminton. Pickleball is a court tournaments, etc.) and Outcome (win or loss). The ratings
sport played on a badminton-sized court with the net set ensure that players are properly matched, and teams are
to a height of 34 inches at the center. It is played with a comprised of like-skilled members for competitive play.
perforated plastic ball—similar to a wiffle ball but larger Ratings range from 2.000 to 8.000 with 3-5 being good
and more substantive—and composite or wooden paddles amateur rating and 5-8 more in the professional range.
about twice the size of ping-pong paddles. The game is easy Broken Sound participates in Dink Masters and the
to learn and is a fantastic, fun experience that can be high Palm Beach Pickleball Leagues with teams from Woodfield
intensity or low intensity but always quite exhilarating. If Country Club, Lotus, Boca Bridges, Valencia Sound and
you’ve never seen a doubles match, it is a wonder to behold, is also the Tournament Director for the World Series of others. The Dink Masters Ladies’ League - 2.5 - 3.5 takes
with amazing at-the-net rallies that will catch your breath Pickleball to be held in March 2023 in Boca Raton. That place Tuesday mornings; Dink Masters Men’s - 4.0 +
just watching, let alone playing. The sport is governed tournament is attracting all the top Pickleball professionals Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m.; Dink Masters Men’s 3.5
by the USA Pickleball Association (USAPickleball.org), with the largest purse in the history of the sport. She on Thursday evenings at 6:30 p.m.; Palm Beach Pickleball
which maintains the rules, promotes the sport, sanctions also runs Today in Pickleball on Instagram, TikTok and League on Saturday and a 55+ Power Pickleball Women’s
tournaments, and provides player ratings. Facebook, where she puts out the latest breaking news on league on Tuesdays at 4 p.m. with six different levels of
I recently had the pleasure of visiting with Megan Hall, Pickleball, pro tips, pro plays. For more information, visit play from division 1 – best to division 6 for newer players,
Broken Sound’s Pickleball Professional who heads up the https://www.todayinpb.com. among a host of other options.
club’s fast-growing program which features four brand- “My strength is building communities and building If you are interested in joining one of the League
new, individually fenced Pickleball courts and an inviting programs,” notes Megan. “It’s easy when you’re passionate Play options, contact Megan Hall at (561) 241-6880 or
canopied refreshment area that opened in November 2021, and Pickleball I am beyond passionate about. So, I am mhall@brokensoundclub.org. You need not be a member
when Megan joined the Broken Sound team. Broken thrilled to be here. The great thing about Pickleball is of Broken Sound to participate or to take lessons.
Sound’s Pickleball program now boasts a diverse collection something called open play, which allows anybody who Members of Bocaire, St. Andrews and other clubs are
of Men’s and Ladies and mixed player leagues and open knows the basics of the game to go out there and meet other all welcome!
play for players of all ages and skill levels. people who are more experienced and who are always very Dink masters is run by Keith Kovak at Woodfield Country
(As explained later in this article, members of St. welcoming. It’s instant community and everyone supports Club, and you may contact him at KeithKovach4015@
Andrews, Bocaire and other clubs are invited to participate each other, and it’s a great way to learn the game. We also gmail.com or (561) 213-7317. Costs for participating in
in the organized Pickleball competitions.) just started an exciting new Juniors Program in September the leagues vary but are nominal per person rates for a
A Rhode Island native, Megan played collegiate tennis which features an upcoming Junior Ladder League among 10-week session.
at Rhode Island College. Making her way to Florida after local clubs. With six Pickleball teams comprised of 15- As Broken Sound’s Pickleball Professional, Megan, the
college, she became Director of Tennis at The Club at Boca 20 people each, in only its first year of existence Broken Broken Sound Pickleball committee and Greg Wheaton,
Pointe, where she flourished and became Junior Program Sound’s Pickleball program has drawn the interest of a Director of Tennis, all work together in developing the
Director. Megan began playing Pickleball to get back in growing base of loyalists committed to driving the fun in Broken Sound Pickleball programming. Megan runs such
shape after the birth of her daughter and quickly became a friendly, ultra-social experience.” program aspects as getting people involved, coaching,
addicted to the game. She began playing every day and Prior to Megan’s arrival, Broken Sound already had a running clinics, personal lessons, setting up teams and
soon was winning tournaments; she went pro in early 2020, group of core players who were playing on a makeshift running events like the recent Labor Day Round Robin and
traveling around the country doing clinics and playing on court on the basketball courts so their new courts’ grand the upcoming professional exhibition in November that
the APP and PPA Tours while also commentating for PPA opening was met with great fanfare and great interest. will surely delight aficionados. Megan is also organizing
Tournaments. Reflecting on how she embarked on the journey to build “Dink and Drink” and “Dink and Dine” nights, “Pizza and
She was recently the Chairwoman of the New York City a flourishing Pickleball program at Broken Sound, Megan Pickleball” and a host of other exciting events.
Open Tournament held at the Billie Jean King center at the commenced a flurry of morning and evening clinics for Pickleball has ascended in mainstream televised
U.S. Open facility, bringing in some 1,500 people to play players of all ages and skill levels, starting with Intro to sports and continues its explosive growth trajectory with
Pickleball, which was the first Pickleball event ever at that Pickleball and Intermediate Clinics. She credits those recent prime time Tennis Channel Pickleball Tournament
facility. She will also Chair the event in May 2023. Megan activities with getting people interested and starting to programming airing during the recent U.S. Open Tennis
participate in open play. That instantly led to demand Tournament. Numerous sports networks now carry
for teams and competitive leagues soon followed, which Pickleball Tournaments and that trend is only going to grow.
now are played among various local clubs in “Interclub” When it comes to passion about Pickleball, you
leagues. won’t find a more zealous and enthusiastic patron and
There are now a wide array of league options, steward than Ms. Hall. Her poise is complemented by
essentially anything for anyone of any skill level or age. her fiery spirit as she regales her experiences on tour,
There is also a skill-based ratings system called DUPR in the announcer box, and on the courts giving lessons
that is carrying forth its mission to innovate the game to beginners. If you are curious and would like to try it
and unify the sport with what is described as the most out, private lessons with Megan are $45 for a half hour
accurate global rating system trusted by the world’s or $85 for an hour. Hour and a half group clinics are $35
premier Pickleball clubs, tours, and professionals. The per person, hour long is $25 per person with an average
system’s algorithm-based rating approach grades players group of four.

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