Off to Estero for the Florida State Games

On Friday we packed our bags and headed for Estero, Florida, which is located just south of Ft. Myers, for the Florida State Senior Championship Games. We arrived around 3:00 in the afternoon at our hotel, the Hampton Inn and Suites located just of I-75 in Estero. We chose this hotel primarily for it's location close to the pickleball venue. Very nice accomodations for a reasonable price, and a very nice hot breakfast buffet each mornings.

The Estero Community Center was open for practice play on Friday evening from 4:00 to 7:00pm, so we headed over there, where Rich got a chance to play with his doubles partner for the first time. It was only one day before the registration deadline, when he and Paul Coletta, from Flat Rock, NC decided to play together. Paul was already planning on coming down for the mixed doubles and singles competition, so was glad to be able to find a partner for doubles.

Also arriving that evening was Gordon and Michelle, Linda, Diane and Gail from Tanglewood, and it was so nice to visit with them. Gordon and Michelle were also staying at the Hampton Inn - so we all made plans to meet for dinner that evening at Applebee's Restaurant. Lot of folks in town for the tournament - so it was pretty busy. But it was 2 for 1 happy hour, so we grabbed a beer or wine at the bar while waiting for a table. We had a very enjoyable evening. I had the waitress take a picture - but I must have had the camera on the wrong setting!!!

On Saturday morning we arrived early at the courts; Rich was scheduled to play at 9:00. Saturday was the men's and ladies' doubles competition. I didn't realize that I had the camera on the wrong setting until Rich and his partner had already finished their match!!! It was best two out of three and they were playing against a team from Solavita - and they took the first two games and won their first match.

There were nine pickleball courts set up in the gymnasium. Registration this year was up almost 30% over last year, with 162 participants showing up to play! The picture above is Rich ( left) and two other matches taking place on the back three courts.

Now - this looks more like synchronized ballet than pickleball - but Stan and Buddy do a great job keeping their eye on that lob!

And make it back to the net for the net shot!

Here's a shot of some of the ladies playing on the front three courts.

It was amazing how many people travelled to play in the State Games, not just from across the state, but from across the country. Pictured above are USAPA Ambassadors (back row) Bev and Ed Beyster from San Antonia, TX and (front row) Jan Pasternak from Houston, TX and Tom Burkhart, the Mid Atlantic Regional Ambassador from Baton Rough, LA

Paul and Rich lost their match to Jim Claycomb and Rick Skaare from Del Webb, Spruce Creek in Summerfield and that dropped them down to the consolation bracket. They won all their games and made it back to the gold medal match - again against Jim and Rich. It was a great match both games very competitive and very close - and Paul and Rich took the Silver Medal. Congrats!!

Linda and her partner Diane also played some awesome games in the ladies doubles, finishing the day with the GOLD MEDALS! CONGRATS!!

Saturday evening - we took a ride south on SR 41 into Bonita Springs. We stopped at TGIFridays - but there was a pretty long wait, so we decided to keep on driving and found a nice Chinese Buffet in Bonita Springs, and then headed back to the hotel and prepared for the next day.

Sunday was the mixed doubles and singles competition. Most everyone was slated to start at 9:00 except for Rich and Linda, who were scheduled for an 11:00 start.

Stan and Sally in their first match of the day - What form!!! They lost the first game, won the second and lost the third. They made their way through a couple of consolation matches, but unfortunately missed out on the medals this time around. But they played very well!

Gail and Gordon take on the pair from The Villages, and play a couple of great games. They lost in two games, but started their way back up through the consolation bracket, only to meet up with these two again. Another great match - and they take home the Bronze Medals.

Here is Louann and her partner JD from Kings Point. Louann also played in the doubles the day before. Some tough competition in the 50-54 age bracket! Great try, but were not able to secure a medal this time.

Buddy had registered for the mixed doubles with Karen Wolf as his partner, but unfortunately, Karen and Tom are stuck in NC. While at practice Friday evening we asked Michelle if she wanted to partner up with him. They were in the same age bracket - they played very well together and had some pretty exciting matches. No medals, but we'll probably see them playing together again soon.

Rich and Linda were paired up against, Bill Freeman and Deb Harrison in the first match. Bill and Deb are pretty much undefeated at the State Games, definately their toughest competition of the day. They dropped to the consolation bracket and played through some pretty tough matches.

Pictured above from left to right is Bill Freeman, Deb Harrison from the Villages, Walter and Diane from Kings Point and Paul Coletta.

This is Nancy Meyer from down in Ft. Myers - who with her new partner took the the Silver medal!

Rich and Linda again - in their final match against another really tough team from Del Webb, Spruce Creek. A great match -and scores of 12-10.

Rich and Linda take home the Bronze Medals! Great Job!

We were back home around 6:00pm on Sunday, and stopped at Pauls Kitchen to grab some dinner. The weather is turning cold again; it was already down int he 50's when we got back to unpack, and Sunday night it was down in the low 40's. Today it never got very warm - and tonight it's supposed to get down to about 32!!!! Time to grab the heaters and electric blankets! BRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!