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| THE COLONY NEWS | FEBRUARY 2026 | 29 It was a perfect start to the pickleball year! The first tournament of the new year turned out to be a fantastic reminder of why this community is so special. Despite weeks of rain leading up to the event, the courts were filled with laughter, friendly competition, and an unmistakable sense of togetherness from the moment the first ball was served. What made the day truly memorable was how everyone pitched in before play even began. The courts needed extra care, and without hesitation, players grabbed rollers and towels to dry the courts. Everyone worked side by side until the courts were ready. That teamwork set the tone for the entire tournament. Once started, the energy was contagious and it felt like a celebration of the sport and the friendships that come with it. Adding to the fun, there was a generous spread of snacks, from homemade treats to store-bought favorites on the table, which became the gathering spot between matches, giving everyone a chance to relax, refuel and chat. All in all, the first tournament was a huge success — not just because of great pickleball, but because of the community spirit on display. From rolling and drying the courts to sharing snacks and cheering each other on, it was the perfect way to kick off a new year of pickleball! Pickleball By Scott Ross, 310-213-3362 The following statistics and scores are as of Dec. 18, since we did not play the rest of December. 1st Place - Stars & Strikes: 38-22: Tony & Thea Johnson, David Keeling, Grover Long. 2nd Place - Catch'n a Spare: 37.5-22.5: Steve Wessels, Rory Seidman, Dave Sisson, Jann Schuler 3rd Place - Nice Try: 35-25: Ralph Sanzari, Rhonda Hauck, Donna Thrall, Larry Thrall. When we ended December play, we had four male bowlers with terrific games: Rick Gundo with 247 (not only did Rick have a 247, but he also shot a 685 series scratch!); Grover Long with 239; Steve Wessels with 221; and Larry Thrall with 205. The same week, we also had four female bowlers with terrific games: Jann Schuler with 186; Jerry Hanson with 185; Sheila Spradling with 178; and Donna Kennedy with 176. More than half of our league is within six or seven games of First Place, so start getting your spares and strikes and move up in the standings! There is still plenty of time left. Our January dinner was an enjoyable Taco Bar catered by The Cove Bar and Grill. Bowling Hank Fleischer, 714-272-3684