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58 58 | SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | MAY 2022 | | SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | MAY 2022 | It has been a treat to see our neighbors to the west in Four Seasons begin an exchange program with our club. They have great players whose skills are exceeded only by their gracious personalities. Most every week we enjoy a home-and-home hosting of play. Thanks to our expanded courts, these games occur side-by-side with our regular play. Each year as fall approaches, we devote some of this space to the coming end-of-year gala in our low desert: the pickleball National Championships at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. We thought it opportune to share some of the background to how this world-class tennis venue became the home of our sport's annual extravaganza. A few years ago, the national leadership realized that hosting the title tourney in Phoenix was simply too confining. They had the temerity to approach the Tennis Garden and found a remarkably receptive audience. Philippe Dore, the media director in Indian Wells, already recognized what was happening: "We noticed the growth of pickleball both on a national level but also here in the Coachella Valley. We started talking to local pros, learning about the sport and started a discussion with the USA Pickleball Association, which led us to where we are today." Where we are is a grand event compressed into a span of two weekends in November/December. The metamorphosis is a sight to behold. The Garden is still very much a tennis facility. To host our play the complex must quickly transform into a 49-court, professionally outfitted space for pickleball. And then, for the rest of the year, the skilled grounds crew returns the Garden to the site that will host tennis' "fifth major," the BNP Paribas Open. Having visited the tournament, your scribe can attest that no one would realize that, for a short time in the fall, this locale is anything but a massive pickleball playground. And the amenities are superb. The staff is as professional as the courts and there is plenty of space for pickleball sponsors to display their wares, the latest in paddle and ball technology. And massive parking! All Sun Lakers, whether players or just sports fans, owe it to themselves to take advantage of the proximity and get out to the Garden for the nationals. One last note: the finals of the amateur and professional matches are played in the massive 3,500-seat stadium that is pickleball's "center court." This year the games occur earlier than last year, Nov. 5-13. By all means, mark your calendars. For information on the best times to join the fun, call club Veep Judy Luna at (949) 929-2390. See you on the courts! Pickleball Club As this is being written, we are in the third week of the Spring Tournament. As you are reading it, we're probably in the sixth week with four more to go. This tournament ends the week of May 31 with the playoffs. Entries for the Summer Tournament must be in by Sat., June 4. It begins the week of June 13 and runs for 11 weeks with playoffs the following Monday and Tuesday. Remember, we play later in the day during the heat of the summer, 5, 6, 7, and possibly 8 pm if needed. There is a calendar on the bulletin board if you wonder about the Fall Tournament. Check it out. Initially, our pizza party was planned for April 3. However, our restaurant no longer has the ovens they would need for a large group pizza party, so that's no longer an option. We do plan for an Italian dinner in October. We have no date set for it yet, so stay tuned for that. Since our new chef is Italian, it could be very interesting! For info, call Dutch at (951) 845-0392. Friends of Bocce Free Estimates Senior Discounts 760-250-9919 Contractor's License #529601 formerly PASS AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING

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