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| SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | OCTOBER 2025 | 55 We in Sun Lakes felt abandoned when the USAPA moved their signature event, the Nationals, out of our backyard in Indian Wells and headed for Texas in 2022. The '23 tourney was promptly moved to Mesa and remained there last year. They are getting closer to our home ground once again this fall. The 2025 extravaganza will be at the Barnes Tennis Center in San Diego. The non-profit that will stage the event works with all racquet sports for youth, seeking to provide free opportunities for local kids to learn and grow in a wide array of court sports. They have been working hard to outgrow their name and now have 19 dedicated pickleball courts and can convert tennis courts to provide anywhere up to 49 courts for pickle as they did last January in hosting one of the qualifying tournaments for the Nationals. The Barnes folks sound like they know their stuff and do great work for youngsters who are becoming the future of pickleball. This is attested by the August magazine's cover story "Make Way for Gen Z." The autumn competition offers our community a chance for an outing down to San Diego, always a fun trip, to see some top- f light action. The centerpiece of the week (November 15-23) will be the new Center Court, a 900-seat stadium layout. Barnes is located in the Mission Bay/ Point Loma area, a balmy locale. So, make your plans … The aforementioned youth-must-be-served movement gathering steam in our world is the focus of the national pickleball magazine. For those not keeping score at home, Gen Z is comprised of young people 13-28. Can Boomers even remember age 13? Or want to? But hang on, they're comin'. Featured are 10 teens who are accomplishing amazing things on and off the court. Pickleball is hitting colleges hard with over 200 fielding teams and building courts at breakneck speed. The University of Texas took home the inaugural Collegiate National Championship held in Atlanta in April, besting TCU. Participants shared over $30,000 in scholarship funding. So far, universities are limiting pickle to intramural and club competition but, can the NCAAs be far behind? At Sun Lakes we only have youngsters at the Pavilion when the grandkids visit. Always fun, though. But we have a great group of active players spanning many decades. If you are new to the community, give our club ambassador, Royce Newman, a call at (951) 809-2303. He can arrange an introduction for you and offer tips. See you on the courts! Pickleball Club