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46 | SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | SEPTEMBER 2020 | As this issue reaches you, Labor Day will be upon us and, hopefully, with the dog days of August behind, pickleball can be back in full swing. Some of our members struggled with health issues this summer and all of us took a timeout. We, as our nation and world, look for brighter days ahead — SOON! Our club owes a debt of thanks to our Master Board for working hard to accommodate the game on its new courts. They have agreed to add sound buffers to help those living closest to be less affected by the pop, pop, pop of the not-always-mellifluous tones produced by ball on paddle. We also appreciate the forbearance of those neighbors. When a new game comes to the neighborhood, there is a period of adjustment. Interestingly, in the recent national pickleball magazine, research has compared noise levels of pickle versus tennis. Spurred by the common notion that pickleball is a louder sport, they find that while that may be true of the voices of players having a ball playing ball, the actual sound of the pickleball is, wait for it… 30 percent quieter than tennis! They acknowledge that the pitch or tone of the ball being struck is higher than a tennis ball. Different sounds draw different attention. Also, of course, we may have three or four times as many picklers on court compared to tennis, hence more frequent high-pitched sounds. So this is a legitimate issue for people who are sensitive to noise and we try our best to be good neighbors. We use quieter balls when possible and remind members to keep it down. And speaking of adjustments, pickleball is still struggling to cope with the demands of a COVID-infected country. Sadly, the big event of the year, the National Tournament at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden scheduled for November, has been canceled. Looking for bigger and better in 2021. The summer interruptions have forced delays in club-hosted clinics for many new players/residents. The demand continues and we look forward to getting together with those who want to learn this peculiarly-named but terrific sport. When your scribe took on the duties of this monthly contribution to our outstanding Lifestyles Magazine (kudos, Courtney!), I borrowed my predecessor's salutation, ending every column with "See you on the courts!" Hopefully this will be the first edition of the new normal. See you on the courts! Pickleball Club Just in case: Check with your club contact to confirm meeting place, date, and time. Sun Lakers at Canyon Lanes We had a great summer season despite the COVID-19 virus. We had 12 teams which is what we were allowed at that time. We wore a mask and did the social distancing. In the fall we expect to have 24 teams. We will have to wear masks and social distance with plenty of disinfectant. Our fall season will start on Sept. 14. The standings for the summer league are: first place, Holey Moley with Bill McDonald, Shirley McDonald, Mary Lou Peterson, and Lee Peterson; second place, Just Lucky with Terry Lankster, Marlene Gartman, Larry Stormes, and Andy Toro; third place, Pin Ponders with Bob Meal, Wanda Ranieri, Julie Rogers, and Bruce Herwig. Season High Scores: For the men, Andy Toro with a Scratch Series of 701; Terry Lankster with a Scratch Game of 243; Jim McGowan with a Handicap Series of 740; and Dan Medrano with a Handicap Game of 280. For the women: Barbara Semic with a Scratch Series of 470; Mitzi Taniguchi with a Scratch Game of 178; Beverly Casaga with a Handicap Series of 698; and Kristy Herring with a Handicap Game of 252. Anyone interested in joining our league, please call Teri Comerford at (760) 217- 9656. Make your competitive juices overcome your excuses.

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