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Two heroes of our sport are Irene and AJ Fraties of Bend OR and Casa Grande AZ. This energetic couple has founded the website pickleball.biz as a great resource. In addition they have been key in establishing thriving pickleball programs in their two locales. Until this year, the Palm Creek club in Casa Grande boasted the largest single-site court complex with 32 courts. That was eclipsed this year when the Tennis Garden at Indian Wells installed 48 courts for the recent national championships. Palm Creek still may hold the record for largest club with over 900 members! Bend isn't doing too shabby either with over 650 players. Way to go Irene and AJ! It used to be that pickleball was played primarily in Florida. The Villages are still justly famed for their huge number of courts and participation. Now Texas boasts a significant footprint for our sport as well. Robson Ranch Denton proudly promotes their largest club, Pickleball. This isn't surprising since the HOA has provided "sixteen world-class outdoor courts and two indoor courts." With that much room to grow, no wonder pickle has become such a dynamic part of life in this outstanding community. And it isn't just in Texas. If you Google Robson's Quail Creek community in Tucson you will see Pickleball as the very first activity listed among their many clubs and their courts are the first image depicted on the Activities page. Much closer to home, Hovnanian has invested in pickleball, adding eight terrific courts at Four Seasons, just across the street. Up the road, Altis has decided that the only courts they will offer will be pickleball courts. Surely that says a lot about how local developers regard this sport. Sadly, we struggle to accommodate the new residents who want to play on our three courts shared with another sport. For several years our club officers have worked to find alternate sites when our club is shut out of Sun Lakes courts. Unfortunately, requiring our members to leave Sun Lakes to play isn't an appealing option. Makes us wonder, too, what the local realtors think about the fastest-growing sport in the country seemingly passing us by.... Anyway, we enjoy the heck out of the courts we have! They are located just outside the stage-door entrance to the ballroom. Come visit and find out what the buzz is all about. See you on the courts! | SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | JANUARY 2019 | 57 Pickleball Club Let us help you look & feel your best you 951-845-4237 851 6th St., Ste. C, Beaumont • www.huntresssalon.com Hair Cuts & Design • Hair Coloring • Perms • Weaves • Brazilian Blowouts • Extensions • Manicures & Spa Pedicures • Beauty Makeup • Permanent Cosmetic • Organic Facials Medical Massage Therapy