SaddleBrooke’s Second Annual Dinking in the Desert Tournament

This spring, over 148 members of the SaddleBrooke Pickleball Association (SPA) participated in the second annual Dinking in the Desert intramural tournament. The competition featured men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles.

The tournament format involved a modified round-robin, where SPA teams within each skill level played against each other. Top three teams in every category received medals: gold for first place, silver for second, and bronze for third.

Medal Winners:

• Men’s Doubles:
  • 3.0: Gold – Greg Wilkins/Glen Wirtanen, Silver – Mark Cates/Reid Lewis, Bronze – David Ellman/Corey Loyd (sub: John Roberts)
  • 3.5: Gold – Kevin Peck/Gary Simpson, Silver – Ken Hallman/Jerry Savage, Bronze – Tom Frame/Joel Ficke (sub: Jim Bauman)
  • 4.0: Gold – Sam Alkhoury/Bill Lucy, Silver – Dirk Anderson/Lou Szathmary, Bronze – Ed Szympruch/Rich Breunich
• Women’s Doubles:
  • Combined 2.0/2.5 & 3.0: Gold – Lizzie Bayard/Stacy Olson, Silver – Diana Schulz/Missy Roberts, Bronze – Susie Payne/Brenda Browning
  • 3.5: Gold – Kandi Connor/Ann Lange, Silver – Paulette Bosselman/Sue Wood, Bronze – Catherine Carmody/Amy Benson
  • 4.0: Gold – Diana Giljohan/Kristy Johnson, Silver – Cherie Block/Susan Deskovich, Bronze – Carolyn Nickum/Janine Sullivan
• Mixed Doubles:
  • 2.0/2.5: Gold – Amy Schwartz/Marc Schwartz, Silver – Betsy Amento/Steve Amento, Bronze – Cindy Witt/John Bidegain
  • 3.0: Gold – Diana Schulz/Reid Lewis, Silver – Liz Gray/Bill Gray, Bronze – Jen Wilken/Mark Cates
  • 3.5: Gold – Helen Graham/Mark Graham, Silver – Donna Szathmary/Lou Szathmary, Bronze – Kandi Connor/Derrel Mincey
  • 4.0: Gold – Kristy Johnson/Sam Alkhoury, Silver – Susan Deskovich/Ed Szympruch, Bronze – Diana Giljohan/Pete Giljohan

Special Recognition:

The tournament’s success is attributed to Paul Massara, who organized and managed the event on behalf of the SPA Tournament Committee. Additional committee members who volunteered their time for promotion, preparation, and operation include Michael Hovan (chair), Barbara Mitchell (secretary), Maude Ruffin, Jim Wall, Nancy Maglio, and Bill Gray.

Contributions by Raymond H. Goettsch

About The Preserve at SaddleBrooke

Envision a life filled with activity and social connection! The Preserve at SaddleBrooke offers luxurious living for adults aged 55 and over. Residents enjoy not only beautifully crafted new homes and breathtaking mountain vistas, but also privileged access to SaddleBrooke’s exceptional amenities. Here, a dynamic social scene awaits, brimming with facilities and numerous clubs to join, like the SaddleBrooke Pickleball Association. Whether you seek friendly competition such as Dinking in the Desert tournament or desired to connect with other residents, The Preserve at SaddleBrooke fosters an active and fulfilling lifestyle. Contact us to learn more.