Prescott Lakes Pickleball Club
Meeting Notes – April 6, 2019
The Club at Prescott Lakes – Falls Room
The Meeting opened with President Jim Robak welcoming the approximately 40 members in attendance. The current Board of Directors and committee chairs were then introduced.
Membership: Secretary Genanne Davis reported our current membership is at 192, ahead of 2018 totals. She explained that membership applications, including a place to order name tags, are available in a mailbox on Court 1. Current members who want to order additional name tags may use the form for that purpose.
Displaying data collected at the Front Desk through March, 2019, which showed Pickleball ranking #8 in usage, Genanne encouraged everyone to check in at the Front Desk when they use the courts.
Budget Report: Treasurer Ron Scott explained the sources of the YTD income of $8,439 and the YTD expenses of $2,001. The anticipated balance of $3,935 is projected for the year 2019.
Court Dividers: Jim Robak discusses the status of the Court Dividers, the expense for which was approved at a Special General Meeting, January 2, 2019. Conversations are on-going with The Club at Prescott Lakes. Due to unexpected costs related to the Athletic Center expansion, the funds have not yet been approved. Discussions are continuing.
Ratings Committee: Member- at-Large Joe Nelson acknowledged the committee members: Larry Ashworth, Denise Ashworth, and Jim Slack. Now in its 2nd year, approximately 80% of the membership has a rating. Joe described how the ratings work, how to move up or down, and how the “Challenge” works. He recognized the 16 members who won their challenges since the fall General Meeting.
Round Robins Committee: Jim Slack acknowledged the former Chair of Round Robins, Jean Bowman, who will be stepping down due to a work-related move. She was thanked for all her efforts and given a round of applause in appreciation. The new Chair is Cheryl West, who is leading a team that includes Denise Ashworth, Larry Ashworth, Lynn Chamberlin, Sue Haywood, Dawn Kraul, Sandy McCabe, Betty Remlinger, Jim Slack, and Keith West. Working as teams, committee members are assigned to run a particular skill level (2.0/2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0+), resulting in a team running one round robin a month. Jim explained the Skill Level Round Robins run year around. He has developed reports that track players’ results. He encouraged members to carefully check the sign-up sheet to be sure they are signing for the appropriate skill level.
To make it more equitable, a new rule was voted on by the Board at its April meeting. If a player has placed in the top 4 in a Round Robin 2 times in a 12-month period, they can play up a level, but they will not be permitted to play in a Round Robin at the level in which they placed for a period of four months.
Social Tournaments: Jim Robak explained the social tournaments planned this year are for the purpose of having fun. Each tournament has a different format with players of differing abilities playing together to encourage camaraderie. The Valentine Top Hat took place in February. Upcoming events include DinkFest in May, 3-D Tournament in July, Sunset Champagne Pickleball Poker in October, and DinkFest2 in November.
2019 Member Skill Level Tournament: Jay Davis, Tournaments Committee Vice Chair, the second annual skill-level tournament is scheduled for June 14, 15, and 16. There will be competition at each skill level in Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles, and Mixed Doubles, with trophies being awarded in each event at each skill level.
2019 Club Championship: Jay Davis described the purpose of the Club Championship is to acknowledge the best of the best. This year’s tournament will be held September 20, 21, and 22, with events in Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles. The names of winners in each event have their names displayed on the Pickleball Club Permanent Plaque in the Athletic Center.
Jay added his special thank you to Jean Bowman. He praised her as an asset to the Pickleball Club and thanked her for serving on the Board and as Round Robin chair.
Prescott Lakes Senior Games Pickleball Tournament: Jim Robak reported the 7th Annual Prescott Lakes Senior Games, sponsored by The Club at Prescott Lakes and the Prescott Lakes Pickleball Club, will be held August 16, 17, and 18. It continues to enhance our reputation as one of the best pickleball tournaments around. It is a great way to support and provide exposure for The Club at Prescott Lakes. Sign-ups open at midnight May 1,at www.pickleballtournaments.com. He encouraged PLPC members to sign up early as registration fills up fast. Competition again this year is by age and skill level, with a limit of 16 teams per age/skill level. The organization meeting for this year’s event is set for May 4, at 1:00 p.m.
PLPC Referee Training: Jim Robak described the second year of Referee Training. Run by Randy Oaks, a USAPA certified referee, it offers PLPC Referee Certification to PLPC members. Upon completing a two-session training program, followed by practical court experience and an online exam, members have the opportunity to become PLPC certified referees. The sessions are set for May 13 and May 20.
Lessons: Instruction Committee Chair, Frank Klejmont, described the Lessons program for the Prescott Lakes Pickleball Club. Beginner lessons are open to everyone. Novice and Advanced lessons are limited to PLPC club members. Lessons are schedule from May through September. The emphasis is on less talk and more practice. Sign-ups will be by email. Those who sign up will receive emails with links to related on-line instruction videos on the skills to be covered.
Frank reported the Beginner Lessons for April are already full. He asked members to consider being a volunteer teacher.
Play Schedule: Vice President Jim Slack described the Spring Play Schedule, which took effect April 1. He emphasized the aim is to allow as much Open Play as possible in prime playing times, while allowing those who wish to improve at their skill level access to courts for that purpose. He noted for the first time on a trial basis, the Club at Prescott Lakes has approved a 7:00 a.m. start time. It will begin June 1 and run through August.
Social Committee: Social Committee Co-Chair Betty Remlinger explained the purpose of social events is to encourage camaraderie among Pickleball Club members off the courts. She outlined four events this year that include an dinner at the Gurley Street Grille in January, an evening Party on the Terrace at The Club at Prescott Lakes in June, an afternoon picnic at Thumb Butte in July, and an fourth event is being planned, the date and place yet to be announced. Club members and their guests are welcome at all social events.
Court Etiquette: Member-at-Large Rob Rudman did a quick review of the rules for Open Play, Level-Based Play and Social Play, asking everyone to observe the guidelines for the benefit of everyone using the courts. He reminded players to bring their own balls to the courts. He further added that any ball that escapes onto another court should respectfully be returned. If you are waiting to play on a particular court, be sure to use the paddle holders on the fence for that court.
Questions and Comments:
Respectfully submitted,
Genanne Davis, Secretary
Prescott Lakes Pickleball Club
Meeting Notes – April 6, 2019
The Club at Prescott Lakes – Falls Room
The Meeting opened with President Jim Robak welcoming the approximately 40 members in attendance. The current Board of Directors and committee chairs were then introduced.
Membership: Secretary Genanne Davis reported our current membership is at 192, ahead of 2018 totals. She explained that membership applications, including a place to order name tags, are available in a mailbox on Court 1. Current members who want to order additional name tags may use the form for that purpose.
Displaying data collected at the Front Desk through March, 2019, which showed Pickleball ranking #8 in usage, Genanne encouraged everyone to check in at the Front Desk when they use the courts.
Budget Report: Treasurer Ron Scott explained the sources of the YTD income of $8,439 and the YTD expenses of $2,001. The anticipated balance of $3,935 is projected for the year 2019.
Court Dividers: Jim Robak discusses the status of the Court Dividers, the expense for which was approved at a Special General Meeting, January 2, 2019. Conversations are on-going with The Club at Prescott Lakes. Due to unexpected costs related to the Athletic Center expansion, the funds have not yet been approved. Discussions are continuing.
Ratings Committee: Member- at-Large Joe Nelson acknowledged the committee members: Larry Ashworth, Denise Ashworth, and Jim Slack. Now in its 2nd year, approximately 80% of the membership has a rating. Joe described how the ratings work, how to move up or down, and how the “Challenge” works. He recognized the 16 members who won their challenges since the fall General Meeting.
Round Robins Committee: Jim Slack acknowledged the former Chair of Round Robins, Jean Bowman, who will be stepping down due to a work-related move. She was thanked for all her efforts and given a round of applause in appreciation. The new Chair is Cheryl West, who is leading a team that includes Denise Ashworth, Larry Ashworth, Lynn Chamberlin, Sue Haywood, Dawn Kraul, Sandy McCabe, Betty Remlinger, Jim Slack, and Keith West. Working as teams, committee members are assigned to run a particular skill level (2.0/2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0+), resulting in a team running one round robin a month. Jim explained the Skill Level Round Robins run year around. He has developed reports that track players’ results. He encouraged members to carefully check the sign-up sheet to be sure they are signing for the appropriate skill level.
To make it more equitable, a new rule was voted on by the Board at its April meeting. If a player has placed in the top 4 in a Round Robin 2 times in a 12-month period, they can play up a level, but they will not be permitted to play in a Round Robin at the level in which they placed for a period of four months.
Social Tournaments: Jim Robak explained the social tournaments planned this year are for the purpose of having fun. Each tournament has a different format with players of differing abilities playing together to encourage camaraderie. The Valentine Top Hat took place in February. Upcoming events include DinkFest in May, 3-D Tournament in July, Sunset Champagne Pickleball Poker in October, and DinkFest2 in November.
2019 Member Skill Level Tournament: Jay Davis, Tournaments Committee Vice Chair, the second annual skill-level tournament is scheduled for June 14, 15, and 16. There will be competition at each skill level in Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles, and Mixed Doubles, with trophies being awarded in each event at each skill level.
2019 Club Championship: Jay Davis described the purpose of the Club Championship is to acknowledge the best of the best. This year’s tournament will be held September 20, 21, and 22, with events in Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles. The names of winners in each event have their names displayed on the Pickleball Club Permanent Plaque in the Athletic Center.
Jay added his special thank you to Jean Bowman. He praised her as an asset to the Pickleball Club and thanked her for serving on the Board and as Round Robin chair.
Prescott Lakes Senior Games Pickleball Tournament: Jim Robak reported the 7th Annual Prescott Lakes Senior Games, sponsored by The Club at Prescott Lakes and the Prescott Lakes Pickleball Club, will be held August 16, 17, and 18. It continues to enhance our reputation as one of the best pickleball tournaments around. It is a great way to support and provide exposure for The Club at Prescott Lakes. Sign-ups open at midnight May 1,at www.pickleballtournaments.com. He encouraged PLPC members to sign up early as registration fills up fast. Competition again this year is by age and skill level, with a limit of 16 teams per age/skill level. The organization meeting for this year’s event is set for May 4, at 1:00 p.m.
PLPC Referee Training: Jim Robak described the second year of Referee Training. Run by Randy Oaks, a USAPA certified referee, it offers PLPC Referee Certification to PLPC members. Upon completing a two-session training program, followed by practical court experience and an online exam, members have the opportunity to become PLPC certified referees. The sessions are set for May 13 and May 20.
Lessons: Instruction Committee Chair, Frank Klejmont, described the Lessons program for the Prescott Lakes Pickleball Club. Beginner lessons are open to everyone. Novice and Advanced lessons are limited to PLPC club members. Lessons are schedule from May through September. The emphasis is on less talk and more practice. Sign-ups will be by email. Those who sign up will receive emails with links to related on-line instruction videos on the skills to be covered.
Frank reported the Beginner Lessons for April are already full. He asked members to consider being a volunteer teacher.
Play Schedule: Vice President Jim Slack described the Spring Play Schedule, which took effect April 1. He emphasized the aim is to allow as much Open Play as possible in prime playing times, while allowing those who wish to improve at their skill level access to courts for that purpose. He noted for the first time on a trial basis, the Club at Prescott Lakes has approved a 7:00 a.m. start time. It will begin June 1 and run through August.
Social Committee: Social Committee Co-Chair Betty Remlinger explained the purpose of social events is to encourage camaraderie among Pickleball Club members off the courts. She outlined four events this year that include an dinner at the Gurley Street Grille in January, an evening Party on the Terrace at The Club at Prescott Lakes in June, an afternoon picnic at Thumb Butte in July, and an fourth event is being planned, the date and place yet to be announced. Club members and their guests are welcome at all social events.
Court Etiquette: Member-at-Large Rob Rudman did a quick review of the rules for Open Play, Level-Based Play and Social Play, asking everyone to observe the guidelines for the benefit of everyone using the courts. He reminded players to bring their own balls to the courts. He further added that any ball that escapes onto another court should respectfully be returned. If you are waiting to play on a particular court, be sure to use the paddle holders on the fence for that court.
Questions and Comments:
- Joe Boska questioned whether the definitions on the posted schedule at the courts match the definitions elsewhere. The topic will be looked into.
- Russ Johnson questioned if there could be a method develop to let players know when court are playable, especially during inclement weather. Possibilities were discussed.
- Joe Boska asked for clarification on playing levels in tournaments. Jim Robak explained that you can always play up, but you cannot play down a level.
- A note was made that the worn-out wind flags had been replaced. Parts have been ordered to repair the sunshade on the pergola at the courts.
- A question about the 2nd larger bulletin board arose. Jim Robak explained that the Board continues to work on getting it placed at the courts.
- A question was posed about more hooks for bags being made available. Suggestions were made. Jim Robak said the Board will look into it.
Respectfully submitted,
Genanne Davis, Secretary
Prescott Lakes Pickleball Club