FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | JANUARY 2022 57
Saturday morning, Nov. 13, dawned about as
beautiful as a morning can be, and at the most civilized
hour of 8:30 am, over 60 people gathered to watch,
support, and compete at the first-ever Four Seasons Ray Windhorn
Cup Competition. Competitions were set up in three different
events: Women's Doubles, Men's Doubles, and Mixed Doubles with
competitors being able to compete in either one or two events.
But first Ray's daughters showed up to provide all of the players
and spectators with coffee and doughnuts galore. They stood in front
of a poster collage of Ray and listened as we told stories of how much
Ray Windhorn had meant to our pickleball program here at Four
Seasons.
Then, in a format new to Four Seasons, competitors did NOT have
to wear costumes or headgear, participate in crazy stunts outside the
competition in order to make up for points lost on the court, sing,
dance, or give a valid reason for playing pickleball. It was just to be
pure pickleball competition! Placed into evenly matched brackets,
partners competed against either four or five other teams and prizes
went to the top two teams in each area. Many won, more lost, but
everyone came away a winner because we all played
hard, laughed a lot, and told stories about Ray, for whom
the competition was named!
It was a near perfect day thanks to the planning and execution
by LynnRae Dupree who has designed our pickleball competitions
for the past several years. This was to be the last tournament she
would design and run and it was perfect! With so much gratitude,
we wish her all the best as she pursues the development of her own
competitive skills to prepare for more advanced tournament play in
her own future. Also kudos and thanks to Doug Dupree for the always
popular Doug's Dogs, and Maggie Domico for Maggie's Margaritas
(best in the west!).
As we begin a new year, it's a great time to come on out to the
pickleball courts no matter your skill level. Friendly people, excellent
colleague instructors, laughter, exercise, and competition make Four
Seasons Pickleball an outstanding way to start a new year. Be sure to
check the board at the courts for times of clinics, whether you are a
beginner or a more advanced player. Happiest of new years, and see
you on the courts! ~ Julie Stayner, juliestayner@gmail.com
Pickleball
Pickleball Board members with Ray's daughters Monique and Michelle Ray Windhorn… We miss you
