FALLBROOK – The local pickleball players did it again! The USAPA National IV Pickleball Tournament was hosted in Buckeye, Ariz. last month. This is considered the biggest pickleball annual tournament representing all age competitors from all over the US plus Canada. It is clear to see the tremendous growth of this sport plus the increased level of play represented during the weeklong tournament. Over 1,200 matches were played…an increase of 150 matches from last year.

Jennifer Lucore from Oceanside retained her titles of #1 National Open Singles Player and #1 National Open Women’s Doubles with Alex Hamner who lives in Carlsbad. This was a tremendous achievement for both players; they won money plus magnificent trophies. Lucore also won gold medals in three other events; her total for the tournament was five gold medals!

Youngest players were Chad and Troy Hamner, Carlsbad, who won medals in Junior 13-16 Singles. The oldest local player was Gigi Sartor, Fallbrook, who won gold in Mixed 75+.

Other local players who achieved medals are:

Women’s Doubles

19+ Wendy Garrido/Gigi LeMaster ~ Silver

35+ Jennifer Lucore/Adina Jones ~ Gold

50+ Cathy Parkhurst/Carolyn Ebbinghaus ~ Silver

55+ Cathy Brendel/Roxanne Pierce ~ Silver

65+ Beverly Youngren/Audrey Phillips ~ Silver

70+ Pat Carroll/Alice Tym Gold

Men’s Doubles

35+Tony Negrete/Tim Nelson ~ Bronze

65+ Bob Youngren/Mike Johnson ~ Silver

Mixed Doubles

19+ Belinda & Randy Zbinden Jr ~ Bronze

35+ Jennifer Lucore/Chris Miller ~ Gold

50+ Pam Jensen/Brett Raymond ~ Silver

60+ Audrey Phillips/Paul Coletta ~ Bronze

65+ Gail & Dennis Dacey ~ Gold

65+ Bob Youngren/S J Lehman ~ Silver

70+ Pat Carroll/Phil Dunmeyer ~ Gold

Women’s Singles

19+ Jennifer Lucore ~ Gold

70+ Pat Carroll ~ Gold

For complete results, please log onto www.usapa.org and click onto National Results.

Pickleball has grown in North County and play is open at Castle Creek Resort, Melba Bishop Community Center, and Fallbrook Community Center, plus other venues. Check days/times on the national website under Places to Play. There’s a place to play pickleball in San Diego County every day.

According to Beverly Youngren, USAPA Ambassador for San Diego County, "We have been playing pickleball for over 10 years and are so excited at the growth in our own backyard." Anyone who has questions about pickleball can email Youngren at IgotITPickleball@aol.com.