Pictured, from left, are Group 1 winners Marga and Mike Kidd (3rd place), Val gambino and Steve Libring (2nd place), and Tami Bowen and Ken Ross (1st place). Photo provided by Steve Libring.The Canyon Lake Pickleball Club hosted its 5th Annual Sweethearts and Singles Tournament on Saturday. Forty-eight of the 325 Pickleball Club members participated in the event while dozens more cheered on the players.
In Group 1, with a perfect score of 44 points, Rick Ross and his daughter Tami Bowen went undefeated. Steve Libring and Val Gambino came in second with a score of 42 points. Third place went to Marga and Mike Kidd with a score of 41 points.
Eight teams competed in Group 2. The games were close with only five points separating the top five teams. Rick Bowen and Margaret Little took first place with 42 points. The second and third place prize money was split between two couples who tied: Kim and Tony Netherkott and Kimberly Keigwin and Paul Robles, who each scored 39 points.
Pictured, from left, are Group 2 winners Paul Robles and Kimberly Keigwin (2nd place tie), Rick Bowen and Margaret Little (1st place), and Kim and Tony Netherkott (2nd tie). Photo provided by Steve Libring.Group 3 was made up of mostly newcomers to the club. Stacy and Casey Mungo earned the first place prize money with a perfect score of 44 points. Stephanie and Scott Hunter took second place with a score of 41 points. Ashlee and Kyle Gribble came in third place with a score of 39 points.
“Many of these players had never even played pickleball six months ago and now are participating and winning tournaments,” Steve Libring, club secretary, said. “It’s a testament to how fast the sport can be learned and great fun for all ages.”
The tournament was organized by the club’s social director, Julie Doherty. Participants enjoyed a potluck between matches.
Pictured, from left, are Group 3 winners Kyle and Ashlee Gribble (3rd place), Stephani and Scott Hunter (2nd place), and Stacy and Casey Mungo (1st place). Photo provided by Steve Libring.The Pickleball Club will be hosting a Poker Tournament in March. “This is a club favorite and really brings out the members,” Libring said. “You don’t have to necessarily play well to win at the poker side of things, although that helps with receiving additional cards to choose from. However, just being a lucky drawer of cards has served many members well in the finish for top prize money.”
The Pickleball Club is open to all residents. For membership information or to learn more about the club’s upcoming activities, email Steve Libring at [email protected]
