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32 | OHCC LIVING | OCTOBER 2020 | Just in case: Check with your club contact to confirm meeting place, date, and time. Racquet Club Are Tennis, Paddle Tennis and Pickleball more alike than they are different? These three net sports are similar — even related — sports. The trio provides for hours of recreation, with all requiring honed hand-eye coordination. Each uses a different size court, and distinctly different balls and racquet and paddle styles. Doubles is the predominant version of all three games, making participation twice as nice. Tennis' roots trace back to the late 1800s, crediting British Army officer Walter Wingfield for designing the sport for the amusement of guests at a garden party in Wales. Adapted from Tennis, Paddle Tennis began in lower Manhattan in 1915 when Frank Peer Beal, an Episcopal minister, invented the outdoor activity for neighborhood children. Fifty years later in 1965, on Bainbridge Island, Joel Pritchard (who later served as Washington's lieutenant governor) and two of his friends returned from golf one summer afternoon and found their families bored, so they created Pickleball as a game for the whole family. So, whether you consider the origin's intent or the technical characteristics of each game, you might decide more similar than not — but you make the call! We are fortunate to have all three of these pastimes in full swing across our 12 courts at OHCC. We have a group of new Paddle Tennis players! Although no classes are currently available, several Tennis and Pickleball players have bought the current carbon fiber paddles, expanding options for diversion during COVID. Jumping into games at our two HOA dual-purpose courts are Joyce Baker, Heidi James, Man Lee, Felicity Swerdlow, Kory Ward, and Kristen Van Voorhis. There are many transferable elements from one sport to the other, allowing seasoned players to start in the middle of the learning curve. The newbies love joining regulars Sue Bixler, Walt Kriewald, Sally Palmer, Tom and Sue Porter and Dannica Wood. Tip: you can book HOA 4 and 5 up to nine days in advance for Paddle Tennis. Getting more residents involved in Pickleball remains a priority and the Racquet Club board continues to experiment with program offerings since COVID restrictions preclude the familiar summer- long beginner course, and also have put a halt to drop-in play. Keep an eye out for more email blasts that promote offerings designed for new OHCC residents and those new-ish to Pickleball. A big thanks to all players for adhering to COVID rules and requirements so that we can have fun on the courts while protecting the health and safety of our fellow residents. Our ongoing compliance will help ensure that the HOA will allow our courts to remain open. Find information and the link to our reservation system at https:// ohccracquetclub.wixsite.com/racquet Tom and Sue Porter introduce us to the new paddles and teach Tennis player Kristen Van Voorhis (right) the game of Paddle Tennis. Speaking of sport relationships, Kristen's parents, Marge and Ken Heist were long-time Tennis players at OHCC (see photo inset). We're seeing creative mask designs nowadays – don't forget yours!