9/2/2023 0 Comments Goodson rec center pickleball![]() I was teaching as a substitute but I quit to play pickleball.” I started playing five years ago for exercise but it was so much fun. One night I played against a 23-year-old kid. “It can get competitive,” said Quisenberry, who recently was playing at the Goodson Recreation Center in Centennial. Julie Quisenberry, 76, says the older generation enjoys the competition as much as younger players. Moore has mastered a sport in which placement and spin are more vital to success than power and speed. Scott Moore, of Colorado Springs, is the No.1 50-plus senior male player in the world and is a 12-time USAPA gold medalist. We are seeing 10- and 12-year-old kids in some of our tournaments and players in their 80s.”Ĭolorado has its share of elite pickleball players. It reminds me of the old Virginia Slims tennis circuit, where they would play for peanuts. Winners can win as much as $2,500 to $3,000. ![]() “As the popularity has increased, it attracts ex-tennis players,” said Wathey, who estimates there are now in the neighborhood of 125 professional players. You get a mixture of skill levels.”īut Drew Wathey of the USA Pickleball Association says the competitive level has increased. “People from all age groups are taking an interest in the sport. “It’s just a growing sport in general,” said Daberkow. Ryan Daberkow, an athletics coordinator for South Suburban Parks and Recreation District, said he wouldn’t necessarily label the sport as becoming more competitive. That’s one of the many beauties of the sport.” It’s like any sport, it can be played aggressively, and very competitively … We’ve got some really competitive 70 (year-old) plus players and others that are here to have a good time, smile and laugh. “Anybody that is truly an ambassador for the sport is happy that the younger generation is acknowledging that this is a fast-paced, aggressive game. “Commonly, people looked at it as a senior sport, but you are seeing some of the younger tennis players come over and literally change the sport. Siegel believes pickleball gives former athletes another chance to compete later in life, but it is also drawing interest from younger generations. It can be played indoors or outdoors, doubles or singles. It’s played with paddles and a plastic ball with holes in it on a 20-foot by 44-foot badminton-size court. The sport includes elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis. The Sports and Fitness Industry Association reports that 43% of players are 65 years old or older. Pickleball is particularly popular among seniors. Numerous tournaments are scheduled in Colorado this summer, including competitions in Englewood and Arvada. There were 3.1 million players in 2018, according to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association. There has been a 650% increase in players over the past six years, according to the USA Pickleball Association. “No question, there is competition - and at all ages,” said Don Siegel, director for two tournaments at the Apex Center in Arvada. Today, the sport even has professional players. In addition to be considered a fun, recreational game, pickleball has grown into a seriously competitive outlet for many. The sport with a curious name has exploded in popularity. The sport is getting more competitive and we do have much younger people coming in that can just beat the pants off me.” “Some people are here to say ‘hi’ and if they play a game and lose, no big deal. ![]() “There are some who show up to really play the game,” Pinkel said. James Pinkel, 69, of Centennial, plays pickleball three or four days a week against a variety of players at the Lone Tree Recreation Center. ![]()
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