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The big news in pickleball in our area this month remains the soon-to-arrive national championships to be held at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in the nearby lower desert. It's only a 40 minute drive so we invite all club members and any Sun Lakers interested in seeing our sport played at its very best to come on down to the Garden during the tourney Nov. 3 - 11 for the big event. It is a rare opportunity and affords the chance to visit a world-class tennis facility that is embracing pickleball with open arms! Our tip for the month involves "anticipation." Not the kind that just seemed to keep Carly Simon waitin' but the kind that prepares us for the next likely shot in pickleball. OK, you're at the net and you've just made a strong return, one you are confident will get you a point. Uh-oh — why is that ball coming back at me? And my paddle is down at my knees! How'd she get my shot?! Well, opponents can make good shots, too. A key to being prepared for even an unlikely great shot is to anticipate. Expect the ball to be returned and you won't be caught off-guard. There's time enough for admiring our prowess AFTER the point is made. And let's not forget Ms. Simon's words of wisdom as we enjoy pickleball or just bask in the Sun Lakes sunshine: "These are the good old days." Pickleball is enjoying a truly meteoric rise in popularity with thousands of courts available all over the country. Same is true here in Banning/ Beaumont. Indeed our courts are more crowded than ever but we always make room for new players and visitors. If you've never tried a court-sport, just think how much fun ping pong is. Now imagine playing it on a table big enough to stand on and even run around on. That's the genius of our game: it's as friendly and accessible as that firehouse table tennis match or the one you played in the garage with the kids. And Sun Lakers are a great group to be around so come on out to the courts by the Ballroom stage door and say hello. Our club play hours are officially set as Monday/ Wednesday/Saturday from 8 to 10 am. Now that the weather is cooling we play at many other times in afternoons and evenings. If you are interested, give one of our club officers a call. Royce Newman, president, can be reached at 769-1103 and Nick Caputo, VP, is at 255-7841. See you on the courts! | SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | OCTOBER 2018 | 57 Pickleball Club