News Archive
New this Summer!
Family Play is new this summer. A chance for the kids to play with/against their parents/grandparents/aunts or uncles. Only one player needs to be a member for the whole family to play. Paddles and balls are provided. Come and go as you wish between 2 and 4pm on most Sundays.
May 23rd, 2026Edit
Tales from the Ladder
The final night of Ladder play was a bit unusual. It was mostly Norm’s fault, though ‘fault’ is an ugly word. Reid was in a quandary as to where to place Stormin’ Norm, a late substitute, who, in the grand scheme (we all agree), is an above average player. So, he placed Normie on Court 1 along with the other hot-shots. As it was Doug’s birthday and cupcakes are seldom enough, Norm became a special treat to play with and against, bringing with him the variety of his game, a pleasant contrast to the slam-bang style that sometimes prevails. When the dust had cleared Howard was top scorer and won bragging rights and Steve had a good experience on court 1. Meanwhile Reid, being the gentleman that he is, relegated himself to court 3 (which was not all bad because then he got to play with his tourney partner Victoria as they developed their winning strategies). In the middle kingdom everything was hunky-dory until the final match. Councilor Paul and Karen were uncharacteristically merciless defeating Bryden and Risto (score withheld). Still, at the end of the night, I think it is fair to say (I’m no Shakespeare but), ‘all’s well that ends well.’ The cupcakes were not half bad and Doug had a happy birthday.
May 19th, 2026Edit
Pickle Pub Party!
Ye olde “Dill & Gherkin” was a rockin’ Saturday night, as the Kinplex in Flesherton stood in for a Club fun-raiser. A hundred tickets were sold for the celebration at $25 each. There were dart boards in one corner, a putting contest in another corner, cornhole along the side wall and line-dancing in the middle. Plus popcorn and a jar of baby dills, courtesy of Matt & Steve’s pickles, on every table. Oh, yeah, it was a party! The food came out early: nachos, nuggets, sliders and crisp veggies. And Cookie even produced a luscious Black Forest cake! It was magic. Of course, there was lots of choice at the bar, soft and hard, as the good times rolled. The organization was beyond stellar! At the end of the night another $2250 was channeled into the court building fund.
What were we celebrating? The Municipal Council has greenlit moving ahead with the new courts this spring and summer. A Request for Tenders was issued on February 23rd, closing on March 24th. By the end of March we may know who has won the contract to design-build the 4-court, dedicated pickleball facility in Flesherton. Yeehaw! That does not mean the Club’s journey is over, as we continue to fundraise towards our goal of $100K (currently at $76.5K). But we can also start planning an outdoor season on courts that are perfectly flat and perfectly surfaced – and affordable for kids and families and everyone in the community.
March 7th, 2026Edit
Pickleball: Certified Organic
What we have learned about this game, in a short period of time, is that pickleball is organic. It grows naturally. It is healthy in a multitude of ways, promoting fitness, fun and friendships. It is good for all ages. It brings people together in a safe and positive environment. What’s not to like? Clearly, there is strong community support for pickleball courts in Flesherton. Over the past 3 years we have demonstrated that, again and again, through the popularity of our youth program as well as our adult programs, and our successes in raising money for the build. The only real barrier to its growth here in Grey Highlands is the lack of proper facilities. It is past time to get shovels into the ground! The plan to bring 4 Municipal courts to Grey Highlands is sound and do-able. Even with a combination of free access and affordable play, the investment will be recovered in short order. Meanwhile, the sport will grow, as it should, as it must, benefiting the community for many years to come.
December 30th, 2025Edit
Board of Directors 2026: The more things change, the more they stay the same!
The Pickleball Club of Grey Highlands is a volunteer-run, non-profit organization. Currently we have 139 members of which 35 are under 18. When established in 2023 the Club filled a niche in pickleball opportunities for working adults and youth, by organizing indoor spaces in school gyms in the fall and winter, during evening hours. In the spring, summer and fall, games and events moved outdoors to private court facilities near Flesherton, available to adults only. A one-week kids’ Pickleball Camp for our Youth members is held in July.
The rough asphalt multi-purpose court at Memorial Park is available for youth play as well as Learn2Play sessions. The fact that this court, inadequate both in terms of quality and quantity, is the only outdoor facility available for play, speaks to our need and our efforts to encourage the Municipality to build more.
To be clear, our primary goal since the Club was formed, has been to lobby and plan for proper, dedicated outdoor courts in Grey Highlands, affordable and accessible to everyone. Hence our Club’s leadership role in fundraising for outdoor courts in Flesherton by the Arena. We believe having a first-class facility in Flesherton will provide home courts for our Club and also provide enormous benefits to the greater community of pickleball players in Markdale and Feversham, Eugenia and Kimberley. It will provide an attractive and safe place for high school and elementary students throughout the Municipality. That is why we assign $10 of our annual fees ($8 for Youth), to the Court Building Fund.
In any event, it has been a busy year for your Board of Directors leading the fundraising charge, promoting the game at special events, and indeed, creating special events, most particularly, “Pickle-icious-lobba-Ball-ooza!” You will find a link to The Presidents Report 2025 elsewhere on this home page. Thank you sincerely for joining PGH and indulging in this truly beautiful and joyful sport.
Karen Alton, President, Pickleball Grey Highlands
Safe to come into the Gym
The indoor season has begun! It is time to come in from the cold (the wind and rain). Honestly, the first ladder night on Tuesday was met with tepid enthusiasm as only 4 boxes could be mustered. Kudos to Victoria and Caroline for doing double duty and Heather for arriving unannounced to test out her, sometimes wobbly, knee. She will be back. Fireworks were muted on court one, even with Digger and Bruce on the court (no doubt missing injured Stormin’ Norm and the traveling Councilman). Court two produced the most excitement and laughter as Caroline, Helen, Karen and Paul traded balloon-like set-ups and sizzling smashes, the odd body bag. On court three, new guy Howard proved more than a handful, earning advancement up the ladder. Welcome Howard! Apologies to court four players: I was having too much fun on two to see what hell you were raising.Thursday night, advanced play has yet to kick into gear, but maybe this week. The outdoor season has been so incredible this fall! It is easy to see why players are reluctant to give it up. Monday evening relaxed play with Cookie and Sherry is wide open and welcoming of new players. It would be wonderful to see some new faces amongst the old. Ho hum, it’s a slow start to the indoor season. Is it always like this? But winter is coming, it almost always does, so think ahead and get some indoor p-ball onto your calendar and into your routine. Its time.
October 19th, 2025Edit
Youth Rally Expands
Flesherton - Wednesday Youth Rally
Youth play at Macphail has been split into 2 sessions to accommodate more players.
6:00pm - 7:00pm is for pre-teens and older inexperienced players
7:00pm - 8:30pm is for teens and stronger pre-teen players
There is no additional charge for Club Members
Markdale - Monday Youth Rally
Starting October 20th, Youth Rally will also be at the new Beavercrest School.
6:00pm - 7:30pm until the end of May 2026. Let's hope it flies!
There is no additional charge for Club Members
September 16th, 2025Edit
Registration for Indoor Play is now OPEN
Click on 'Register for Programs' to sign-up
What's New:
The seasonal Registration Fee is now $40 to reflect Club expenses. There are over 30 weeks in the season, making the cost is only $1.33 per night! Sign up soon!
Ladder play has switched by popular demand from Friday nights at GHSS to Tuesday nights at Macphail School.
Macphail has 3 courts with clear lines so Ladder Play is now open to 24 regular players plus spares (6 rungs)
There is now a Thursday Night "No Mercy" Advanced play night. Play is open to all levels who want to improve their game by playing against strong opponents.
What's The Same:
Monday Nights are for recreational play at Macphail Memorial Elementary School
Expect the same level of fun and socializing
September 15th, 2025Edit
No Provincial grant this year for Pickleball Courts
We have come to a bump in the road. It is nothing we cannot get over but it does mean the project will be delayed. Our hope was to get started this fall. The staff at the Municipality advised us this week that the grant application to the Province’s Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund, which would have covered half the cost of building the courts, was unsuccessful. Disappointing news to say the least.
The good news is we have already raised over $50,000 through community donations and sponsorships, and we have the support of our Municipal Council with the promise of $50,000 from the Parks Development Fund. There is no turning back!
The Pickleball Club, with the support of the greater pickleball community in Grey Highlands, is committed to finding the resources to complete this project. Various strategies are being considered which will be shared as we sort through the options.
Meantime, please stay with us, stay positive and know we will always fight the good fight, openly, honestly, but with continued vigor. The sport of pickleball continues to grow in this country and around the world. It is hard to grow the sport locally without places to play that are safe, affordable and accessible to all Grey Highlanders, young and old.
Karen Alton, President
August 17th, 2025Edit
Pickleball Camp: Positively Dill-lightful!
We are dill-lighted to report that Pickleball Camp for the summer of 2025 is safely done and dusted, and to quote one camper, “It was amazing.” Enrolment doubled this year thanks to the Municipality of Grey Highlands, which allowed the Camp to use Flesherton Arena, where 5 full-size courts were taped on the concrete pad. Sixteen campers, ages 9 to 14, came out for 5 full mornings to play, learn some skills, and meet some new friends. Some were new to the game and some seasoned players but they were all eager to advance. Mid-morning snacks were organized by Lorna Rintamaki. They were fantastic and mostly healthy, especially the sliced cucumbers which disappeared almost before they hit the plate (Ophelia!). Of course, the “jokes of the day” were routinely corny. (Example: “What is the pirate's favourite letter? You might think, Arrr! But actually, he’s always loved the Cee.”) Volunteer instructors were, Heather Ritter, Bryden Jones, Colin Hall, Doug Alton, Eddie Aziz and Karen Alton. Safety officers were Don Coleman and Jessica Yaniw. Fortunately, their first aid skills were not tested. Many thanks to Jumpstart, a Canadian Tire charity, for a generous grant which made the Camp both a lot of fun and also affordable. Thanks also to Sapsucker, Ice River Springs, Chapman's, and Rob Jolley. The Pickleball Club of Grey Highlands continues to be a strong advocate for youth pickleball and the need for outdoor courts in our community. We cannot grow the sport without proper facilities!
July 14th, 2025Edit
Jumpstart Springs for Kids' Camp: Yeehaw!
We are excited to share that the Pickleball Club of Grey Highlands has been selected to receive a grant from Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities. Since 2005, Jumpstart has disbursed more than $225 million to help over 3 million kids and counting. This grant will go a long way towards paying for the indoor arena space for our youth day camp coming July 7 - 11. We envision 4 or 5 full-sized pickleball courts lined on the arena floor, and while we would rather be outside on our new community courts, this is a pretty fantastic option. With Jumpstart’s support, we’ll be able to double the number of young people at our kids’ camp, and play will continue rain or shine. It’s a clear win for kids in Grey Highlands. Like Jumpstart, the Club understands the importance of affordable sport for the health and well-being of young people. We are proud of the work we do to provide safe sport and learning in our community.
April 2nd, 2025Edit
Done and Dusted
It’s a wrap. Session #2 of Ladder play is done and dusted. There was much whooping and laughing on Court #1 last night as Norm was back from the Evil Kingdom and full of vim and vinegar sporting his red maple leaf headdress. So much was their frolic and joy that they didn’t even keep score. Sadly, Jack missed the hoopla, down with the flu, and Colin, playing on court #2 this week, looked on longingly. He cleaned up on court 2, BTW. As for our good-natured Councilman, he had his test by fire at the top rung and played well. The man has game, as they say. Shari blew in from Mexico looking tanned and satisfied. Gerald was the strong man on court 4 and Doig swept court 3. Jane was as feisty as ever. The truth is 16 players on the ladder and they all have different stories to go home with. There is beauty in competition and also in community. You gotta love this game.
March 7th, 2025Edit
The Net Gods Have Spoken
Another Friday night, and winter shows no sign of relenting. On a night when the roads were slick but visibility clear, everyone made the effort to show up for the ladder though some a little pale from the drive. Or maybe it was because his old barn had just collapsed under the snow. That would do it too. On court 1, our Colour Guy was splendiferous in pink and blue. Unfortunately, his game was somewhat less than magnificent, though always entertaining, saving balls dripping down the net, miss-hitting smashes into the bleachers and once, half a step short on an attempted ATP. Win or lose it’s a big show at the top rung and fun to watch, with some nifty dinking combinations and rapid-fire speed-ups at the NVZ. Mistakes were severely punished. As they should be. On court 2, Rocketman Reid and the Councilor were too strong for the ladies this time, as they loomed at the no volley zone, always ready to pounce. In the end it was our mild-mannered local pol who out-scored the lot and will move up to court 1 next week, a considerable achievement for a relatively new entry to pickleball. On court 3, it was Janey in her pretty pastel t-shirt versus the boys, all in blue and black (so boring, guys!). Of course they played with a blue ball and that was nice. When the dust had cleared there was a three-way tie at top. It is a good sign when the scores are close and everyone feels engaged. On court 4, Dr. Slider was back in action. Wonderful to have a doctor in the house. Afraid I didn’t see much of the play but according to the score sheet Rex (Havock) wrecked havoc, living up to his name and grabbing top honours. And the Moment? Well, there was an incident in Box 3 which might qualify. G-Man was getting ready for a shot, anticipating a low, blistering drive, knees bent, paddle up, almost as if in prayer. The ball ticked the tape on the net and flew laughing over his head. Once again the net gods had spoken.
February 28th, 2025Edit
No Murders in the Building
We were not expecting a Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre and thankfully we did not get one. No one was killed in the gym Friday night, at least, not literally. Grandma Kate in Box 3 had a rough night but we suspect that will simply spur her onward, not keep her down. Fact is you can’t keep a good woman down. The real news was in Box 1. It seems Colin and Bruce came with pockets full of kryptonite as they pulled off a 17 – 15 win over Digger and Jack. It was a hard-won victory and we can only imagine, deeply satisfying. The combo of athletic youth (our charming Colour Guy) and wily maturity (Bruce) proved unbeatable in this the first game of the night. We knew Colin was bound for a glorious night as he gleefully executed an ATP in the warm-up game. After that it was leaping, crushing smashes at every opportunity to keep Digger and Jack on the defensive. Game on. In Box 2 competition was hot and heavy and incredible fun (I was there. I should know). In the first game the lead changed hands continually and just when we thought it was in the bag, it suddenly wasn’t. Hurricane Helen and Rocketman Reid pulled off a very annoying (but laudable), win 18 – 16. It was terrific. Meanwhile, Jane was in the pink in Box 4 and clearly dominated all 3 games. She might have been motivated to move up so she could play in the same time zone next week as her partner in life. (We approve of car-pooling.) Rachel brought treats so no one was feeling down-hearted on Valentine’s Day. The Moment: not shot-of-the-night, but “evil-villain-laugh-of-the-night” which emanated eerily from Box 3. Who should it be, but the respected, mild-mannered Town Councilor by day, and swashbuckling, warrior pickleball player by night. How wonderful to have our own Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde!
February 14th, 2025Edit
My Heart, Be Still!
Notes from the Ladder: (apologies, my notes are a bit scant.) What I remember from Box 1 is Colin diving, Harold tumbling, Matt leaping, and Bruce slicing and dicing (when he got off the phone). Once again this week “Digger” was on fire and dominated, scoring a perfect 45. His patented, show-stopper smash is a marvel to behold as he rises up like an avenging angel and slams the ball down into the opposing court. My heart, be still! In Box 2, farmer Jack also had a perfect 45 as he cheerfully toyed with the opposition. He will be going up next week. (He will not be missed by Hurricane Helen and The Trickster.) Box 3 saw fierce competition, all 3 games nip and tuck, the first one setting the tone at 16 – 14. When the dust had settled, however, Reid emerged victorious and will move up. Meanwhile in Box 4 Paul and Rachel battled it out with reluctant spare, Gerald, and T.J., returning after an extended period under the weather. (Hope he is back for good.) And that’s all she wrote. Until next Friday.
February 7th, 2025Edit
Never Give Up! Never Give In!
Tales from the Ladder. Up from the city after a lengthy absence, Laurence (we hardly knew you!), joined the boys in Box 1. We are told he scored a nifty ATP, possibly the shot-of-the-night. He’s a magician, so we believe it. Bruce was back to making his normal, sly, short angles and Jack his cagey lobs. Nevertheless, Digger demonstrated his dominance once more with a perfect 45, to continue his reign as top sharp-shooter. His power and quickness on court are formidable. Off court he is as mild-mannered as Clark Kent. Hmm. This might call for a slice of kryptonite. The new guy, Harold, was impressive in Box 2 in spite of a leg injury. His smart, compact style, relying on spin and placement rather than power, paid dividends, landing him the top score. There were many sparkling rallies and close games in this 4-some. The first game of the night set the tone as Harold and Reid jumped out to a big lead suggesting they might run away with it. But no! Hurricane Helen and firefighter Don pulled themselves together with dogged determination to achieve the come-back win of the night 17-15. Their mantra: “Never give up! Never give in!” Just so. The games in Box 3 were long and hard fought, with sharp rallies at the net and low, penetrating drives from the baseline, though the Councilor was heard muttering to his paddle in game one during a low moment. It took Kate the warmup plus two full games to finally reach her peak performance, but when she did, she was lethal. The competition was close but the Prez is going up next time. Shari came out of hibernation on this Friday night in her precious purple kicks to spare in Box 4, a refreshing and welcome influence. But it was greybeard Steve, also sparing, who took top score. Of the regulars, however, the Flying Fin prevailed and will advance to Box 3 next time. Of note, the multi-talented egg lady was seen sporting a swish, new, Club tuque, as she crocheted in a chair on the sideline (like a modern-day Madame Defarge?), waiting for her turn on court. Never a wasted moment.
January 24th, 2025Edit
Sartorial Splendour: Plus Shot of the Night!
It was Colin’s night to shine. Elevating his usual sartorial flair to new heights, he wore a dashing floral shirt in purple and blue with purple shorts and royal blue shoes, a feast for the eyes. Dressing for success is one thing but C was also the clear winner of “shot-of-the-night,” with a brilliant backhanded ATP (Around-The-Post!) in a game against Digger and Bruce. The amazing part of this scenario is C started on the far righthand side of his court, sprinted recklessly in front of his partner Doig (who had given up on the shot), extended his arm and paddle, indeed, his whole body to reach Bruce’s low, angled shot easily 2 metres west of the sideline. Magnificent effort! But it wasn’t the end of the point as Digger smartly anticipated the unlikely get and blocked it back across the net. Not to be outdone after such heroics, C recovered and steered the volley home, down the centre of the court, untouched. The crowd went wild!
On a cold night which began with more than a few groans and growls all the players soon found their mojo, with some well-placed lobs, dinks and speed-up volley exchanges, always fun to watch (and even more fun to do). Jack, Harold and Kate earned promotions for next week. The level of play continues to climb, bottom to top.
January 17th, 2025Edit
A Dark & Snowy Friday Night
It was a dark and snowy night outside but warm and bright inside the gym. On the big-boy court, young Colin and Digger showed no mercy to farmer Jack and the feisty Bruce. “It was not a pretty sight,” someone said. But it was the first night back after the Christmas feasting and all the guys seemed a tad bemused, lobs going long, drops going short, and drives, well, a lot of hit and hope. Meanwhile on court 2, Doig, filling in for Ben Johns, and Helen playing for Catherine Parenteau, seemed to toy with Reid and Mr. DVDS at one point, coming back from 14 – 5 down, to win the match at 16 – 14. Most of the games on 2 were tight see-saw battles. Paul was, far and away, the most colourful while Reid was all business in his all-grey ensemble. [Ed. Note: Do clothes make the pickleball player?] Interesting combination on court 3, with Councilor Paul and fuzzy-beard Steve competing for the first time on the ladder. The games were so closely fought there was a tie at the top, between Jane (of the elegant, two-handed backhand), and Paul (of the unbounded enthusiasm). Kathy kept a low profile with her granddaughter in the seats. On court 4, the Flying Fin made his debut on the ladder, along with his lady-love, Cookie (filling in for Anna-Leigh Waters). Rachel took time out from her crocheting of ball sacks to complete the 4-some along with Trickster Prez. In the third game Rachel and Risto were 3 points away from upsetting Lorna and Karen when the friendly orange ball was lost in the catacombs under the bleachers. The yellow ball proved their undoing! Whatever, it’s good to be back!
January 10th, 2025Edit
The Attack of Doig
Just when you thought it was safe to return to the court, a shot-making, no-holds-barred, show-no-mercy, possessed super-human emerges from the shadows! Sporting an elaborate knee brace for armour and using a lefty stroke for sinister deception, the carnage delivered cut clear to the bone. With razor sharp precision, shot after shot scorched through the air and down the sidelines for winners. No opponent was safe from his relentless attack. The final blow came when a ball was hit cross-court near the far sideline, Doig stretched across his unassuming body, using his paddle like a Samurai sword to slice a return, carving the trajectory of the ball so that it curved in the air with the mystic precision of a maestro leading an orchestra on the grandest stage. Barvo! Oops, bravo!
December 10th, 2024Edit
O Brother, Where art thou??
It's December, which explains a lot. Ladder play is a bit shifty. Digger was on fire last night, but honestly, you never know who's going to show up on Friday night. What with family commitments and dinners with old friends, snowdrifts on the highway and the odd repetitive strain injury (backs, knees, feet), sugarplums dancing in heads, whatever, reasons for absence are many and valid (mostly). C'est la vie! No worries, the courts were filled last night with a patchwork of willing spares and substitutes. Jane played for Shari, Karen for Kate and Doug for Reid. Don pinch hit for Paul and Caroline for Heather. Norm covered nicely for Colin and Bruce played for Laurence. (Question: does Laurence even exist?) Somehow it all came together, thanks in no small part to Stormin' Norman, our hero. Like the game of Pickleball itself, the fine art of coordinating events is a delicate balance of power and control with, maybe, a soupcon of schmooze (finesse, in the case of pickleball). Always makin' it fun!
December 7th, 2024Edit
Fun in the Boardroom
The Club's Annual General Meeting will be in the Flesherton Library on Monday, November 18 at 7 pm. After a brief review of the past year and some thoughts about the year to come, the Board of Directors (a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 10), will be voted on. All members are welcome to attend and share in this festive, fun event.
November 18th, 2024Edit
OMG, Shot of the Night!
Thankfully, play in Box 1 resembled more traditional pickleball after last week's night of a thousand bangs and drives. In the second game of the rotation, during match point, Digger sent a drive down the middle past Rex at the net. Partner Stormy ran back and lunged to his right with his arm fully extended to hit a low, dropping shot back, narrowly missing Rex in the process. Phew! The ball dipped over the net and Buck used his soft hands to tap a dink back the other way. Anticipating this, Stormy rushed up as Buck delivered his well-executed dink. Just before the ball could strike the floor for a winner, Stormy dove headfirst toward the sinking ball, and slid across the court to make a miraculous return. Always ready to pounce, however, Digger sent a volley back at Rex who was left to fend off the attack alone. His return to Digger was good, but not good enough, as the opportunist's next shot found the open court for the match winner.
October 18th, 2024Edit
Opening Night: Unleashed!
The guys at the top of the ladder had a hard time moving from the amazing outdoor courts at Club 32 to the indoor confines at the high school. As a result it was BANG, BANG, BANG and a little side of BANG. With all four players having a hard time seeing the ball, the best approach (apparently), was to just drive the ball all night long. Sometimes, it just feels good to unleash.
October 11th, 2024Edit
Youth Rally Club
Back by popular demand, the youth program is starting again at Macphail Memorial Elementary School Wednesday September 25th. Recommended for girls and boys 10 to 14. This is an evening program from 6 to 7:30 pm. Join the Club and youth play at no extra cost. Youth membership is $30 annually. Dynamic, fun activity for energetic youngsters.
September 19th, 2024Edit
No Guts: No Glory
It is September and the outdoor season is on the backstretch. "Glory Daze" mixed doubles tournament will take place Saturday, September 21. It is now posted on TeamReach, your Club phone app. This is the final Club tournament of the outdoor season. Pick your partner and signup. Don't miss out! No guts, no glory. No fun either.
September 9th, 2024Edit
Social - Dog Days of Summer
Summertime and the livin' is easy! The "Dog Days of Summer" are here along with prime pickleball season. The August Social is nearly upon us, Wednesday August 21st. Starting at 6pm the games begin and the grill gets fired up around 8 for some delectable tube steaks (no expense spared). Nothing like a hot August night for some not too serious schmoozing on the court and off. Check out TeamReach for the finer print.
August 14th, 2024Edit
Learn2Play
Our Learn2Play sessions at Memorial Park have gained some positive attention. Offered on weekday evenings from 6pm to 8pm, these introductions to pickleball are designed to appeal to anyone who has heard about the game and would like to get into the fun. We provide the paddles, the balls and the net. Also, some knowledgeable people to guide players safely into the game.
July 25th, 2024Edit
Pickle Prom Promises Fun & Games
Don't miss the thrilling finale to our indoor season! Dress to impress or dress for success. Prizes for Prom King and Queen. Yes, its a popularity contest. What else would it be? Come and find out.
June 11th, 2024Edit
Grey Highlands Council Goes Back-and-Forth Over Pickleball Courts
Read more about our recent meeting with council in Collingwood Today.
Final Night of the Season was Action Packed
Box 1 was a war, but it was the after-play that really cut deep. In the final game of regulation play, Laurence and Jack came away with a 16-14 win over Matthew and Colin. During the extra play, however, the team of Matthew and Colin turned it up a notch . . . ok, it was Colin who turned it up to 11 with his vibrant, eye-popping new orange shoes and matching shorts. Karen said he looked like a pylon. The warning he was giving was that he’s a force to recken with. Colin and Matthew won both games.
Box 2 saw Karen honing in and targeting the line past Doug’s forehand. She delivered three pinpoint shots that scorched past Doug and landed inside the line. I knew Karen meant business, all dressed in black and ready to rain darkness down upon her opponents.
Box 3 had two spares playing, one being Paul’s son, Eric. His tall stature and long reach make for strong weapons in the game of pickleball. Tonight’s play also saw the return of Nancy, bruised finger and all. You can’t keep a good pickler down for long.
Box 4 had Heather and Nancy coming out of the gate blazing. The two showed no mercy towards Rocky and Shari. With that first game out of their systems, Rocky and Shari respectively played much better in their subsequent games, with the last game being a close 15-13 battle.
A season of fun and competitive play. The ladder saw 4 new players--Heather, Colin, Heike and Matthew—trying pickleball for the first time. Colin and Matthew rose from box 4 to be staples in box 1. The two also brought fashon to the game. Matthew with his bright neon green shoes and Colin with an array of bright and patterned shirts paired with his magenta shoes. In the final night he introduced his new orange shoes and orange shorts. Heather told me he has a new collection to showcase during the summer, don’t miss it! The fashonistas are a force on the pickleball runway and court. Heather brings an enthusiasm and effort that is unmatched. Nicknamed, Slider, she often returned shots while sliding on the ground. Can’t wait to see how that goes on the surface at Club 32. Heike was only able to play during the first half of the season, as work got in the way. My moto is life’s not work, it’s all play.
We hope to see everyone throughout the summer at the events hosted by the Club. If you haven’t been to Club 32, get out there and experience the great surface and friendly family that allows us a great place to play.
Thank you to everyone! See you on the courts soon!
May 14th, 2024Edit
No Retreat, Baby, No Surrender!
Who doesn't love a good husband-wife fight? A pickleball fire-fight, that is! Ellen and Harold recently squared off against each other and produced just such a fight. Ellen was super focused that night, determined, relentless. She glared across the court at her husband Harold. This battle was years in the making. Pointing her paddle at her mate, Ellen proclaimed, "Well dear, we made a promise, we swore we'd always remember. No retreat, baby, no surrender!" The tension was thick hanging over the court like a blanket, shrinking and clinging to everyone in the gym. Play started friendly enough, a few drives here and there, the odd dink, until Ellen and Harold found themselves directly across the net from each other. Ellen delivered a hard, low volley. Harold returned it in a defensive manner. Ellen drove the ball back again but this time Harold was ready and equal to the task. Pop! Pop! Pop! The two exchanged volley after volley, each time increasing the pace. Back and forth the two hit harder and harder. Ellen was determined to drive that ball at Harold with everything she had. Pop! Pop! Pop! The exchange continued as Ellen, like a Jedi Master, calm and controlled, bombarded Harold with volley after volley, the Master testing her apprentice, neither giving in. But Harold remained steadfast. Ellen sensed an opportunity and pounced on a high volley, driving the ball down at wicked speed. Harold took a few steps back, anticipating the increased velocity of his wife's smash. With a smooth and seemingly effortless stroke, he squared off and ripped the ball down the middle, dissecting Ellen and her partner for a winner. Like soldiers in the winter's night, with a vow to defend to the end, no retreat, baby, no surrender. (We are sure going to miss Norm's commentary!)
May 12th, 2024Edit
Good Vibrations
Really cool vibes at “Club 32” (Beaver Valley Pickleball) this past weekend as the Salneks (Robert, Margo and Brian), hosted an Open House at their home courts on Grey County Road 32. The 2-day event drew a wide assortment of pickleball aficionados. Some folks were discovering these country gems for the first time, others were excited to be back for another season of outdoor play.
On Saturday under sunny skies Bonnie and Jack arrived at the stroke of eleven, ready to test the outdoor surface. Lorna and Risto were also keen to see the facility though both were on the I.L. (not for long we hope). After that, it was a flood of arrivals; Matt, Laurence, Toba, Patti, Debbie, Karen, Janet and Anne-Marie. They all got on the courts for shortened games with Doug and Karen, Bryden and Reid, Robert, Brian and Margo. Chip, oops I mean Chris and Dale arrived a bit later from the city. Shari and Camilla with Zen in tow made an appearance from their nearby retreat. Awesome enthusiasm for this game of ours.
On Sunday, after the courts dried from a morning drizzle, around 2pm, another round of pickleball junkies descended. Notably Heather and Colin in their usual colourful duds; then Beth came with Alexa and Ashlyn to hit a few balls, followed by Brenda and Chuck, and Sherry and Rob (no time to tarry, though, something mellowing in the smoker back home). Poor Robert had to drive back to the city early but Margo continued to hold court, along with Bryden and Doug and Karen, to the final dink or volley or smash.
We continue our quest, as a Club, to share and grow the game. Huzzah!
May 6th, 2024Edit
OMG SHOT OF THE NIGHT!
SESSION 3 LADDER PLAY
It was a night of comebacks. On a few courts, one team found themselves getting out to an early lead and running up the score, only to have the other team fight their way back to make it a battle.
OMG SHOT OF THE NIGHT
On court 1, Matthew sent a short ball cross court. Colin rushed up and Jack scrambled to his left. Just out of the reach of Jack, Colin managed to get a paddle on it and hit a lob, sending Matthew backwards. He jumped and hit a hard return down the line to the right corner. A sure winner, but wait . . . seeing that his lob wasn’t going to be deep enough, Colin rushed to the baseline to get ready for Matthew’s return. He turned on the jets and headed to the right corner, he stretched out as far as he could and hit a solid ball cross body, unfortunately Jack was standing there and took Colin’s return in the shoulder.
April 5th, 2024Edit
Heather Brought the Heat!
Session 3 of the Friday night Ladder opened with a bang! Players were scrambling all over the court to get balls everyone thought were sure winners. They were not! Court 4 was dominated by Heather (formerly known as Slider). She brought the heat, well-rested as she was after the March Break, spent relaxing at home bingeing on Netflix.
March 22nd, 2024Edit
One Brief Shining Moment
Robert called it March Madness when he put out the invite to play outdoors. It was an afternoon to remember and savour, 16 degrees under the sun with a gentle zephyr from the south! A pre-season gift from the pickleball gods! We were 8 and it was great.
March 13th, 2024Edit
Death to All Balls
MARCH 1ST, IS THE FINAL NIGHT OF SESSION 2. March 8th will be open play for anyone that would like to mix things up. An event will be posted on Team Reach for sign-up.
The 3rd and final session of the season will run from March 22nd to May 10th. A new event sign-up will be posted allowing everyone a few weeks to sign-up.
Death to all balls. That was the theme of the night. We said goodbye to 3 balls, which only left us with 1 for 2 courts. Luckily, Reid had a ball so that play could continue.
SHOTS OF THE NIGHT Jack was on FIRE! It was lob after lob after lob, all hitting their mark, catching lines and causing trouble. Jack was even playing on a full stomach, which usually doesn’t go well. Not on this night, Jack came to play.
Update: Regarding the Death to All Balls:
As the death of all the pickleballs are being mourned by the Friday Ladder group, a four-some arrived by courier and were eager to start play for Wednesday night's Open Play. However, unruly weather inhibited the Wednesday night crew from gathering, so these little "Fila's" will have to wait for their debut with the March 1 Friday Ladder group... let's hope they go easy on these new balls... they're only little!
February 23rd, 2024Edit
Snow and Ladders
Ladder play saw players making their way through the snow to play. It was cold and snowy outside but play was red hot inside. Matthew continued his climb, winning box 2 and making his way from box 4 to box 1 in a matter of a few weeks. If you remember, Colin did the same thing last session. Maybe it’s the bright, blinding shoes they both wear. Speaking of shoes, Heather sported a new pair of kicks. No, they aren’t brightly coloured but they are providing her much needed traction even if they numb her feet by the end of the night.
SHOTS OF THE NIGHT Box 1 saw a fast pace to the games. Trying to slow it down, Jack sent one of his patented lobs to the far-left corner. Bruce scrambled back as the ball landed in the court and kicked out a tad. Using his sweet one-handed tennis backhand, Bruce unleashed a world of hurt, scorching the ball back down the line past Colin. Meanwhile, in box 2, spare Helen was doing everything she could to take it to the boys. In one exchange, Helen sent a deep drive to Reid. His return was a little high. Helen drove the ball looking to send it down the middle for a winner. Instead, the ball clipped the tape and suspended for a moment before dropping on the other side close to the net. Helen raised her arms in triumph but out of nowhere, Matthew dove, sliding along the floor and just catching the ball before its second bounce. All he could do was pop the ball up, back to Helen. With her arms already raised in celebration, the ball headed toward her raised paddle. Unfortunately, she was taken by surprise with Matthew’s tremendous get and drove the ball into the net.
February 16th, 2024Edit
Latest Ladder Play Friday Update
Friday night saw some great individual play across each of the boxes. Box 1 welcomes back Laurence, who dominated in each of his games, making drops with ease from all positions on the court. In box 2, Bruce set the bar high with his driving returns of serve. In box 3, newcomer, Matthew delivered bursts of energy, bouncing on high balls at the non-volley zone line. While in box 4, Jane showcased her athleticism, delivering hard low drives from deep in the court.
BACK-TO-BACK SHOTS OF THE NIGHT: During the first game in box 2, the team of Karen and Caroline put the pressure on Reid and Bruce. Reid serving, his team at 13, sent the ball deep to Karen. Her return was low and hard, keeping Reid deep in the court. Reid sidestepped to his left and reached back for a little extra and delivered a scorching drive down the line past Caroline. At game point, Reid served to Caroline. She sent her return down the middle, Bruce reached to his right and sent a low drive back to Caroline’s forehand. She reached out and with a soft touch tapped the ball back crosscourt toward the sideline. Reid rushed forward and gave a flick of his wrist as he struck the ball just a few inches from the ground. The wrist-action produced a heavy topspin as the ball went back crosscourt and dove hard down toward the ground just after clearing the net for the winning point.
February 9th, 2024Edit
Ladder Play Session 2
NO PLAY ON FEB 2nd, DUE TO SCHOOL PA DAY.
Play was fierce as was the battle of the shoes. Check out the photo in the photo gallery showcasing Matthew’s and Colin’s footwear. Not to be undone, Colin turned it up a notch with a stylish shirt. Earlier in the day, Jack spent hours visiting every shoe store in the Barrie area. He came home empty-footed.
SHOTS OF THE NIGHT During play in box 2, the foursome of Julie, Caroline, Helen and Paul battled every point. In one exchange, Helen and Caroline had their opponents on their heels. The game was tied at 14 and Helen and Caroline were looking for a side-out to get their serve back and try for the win.
Helen delivered overhead smash after overhead smash. Paul and Julie, on the defensive, kept getting the ball back. One such shot moved Helen to her left. In a perfect position, she hammered yet another overhead smash down the centre line. Paul, off balance and on his back foot, lounged to his left and stretched across his body on his backhand and in a last-ditch effort hit the ball just right, accurately sending it over the net and dropping it into the non-volley zone near the sideline for a winner. Up 15-14 and on the high of that great shot, Paul and Julie went on to win this back-and-forth battle 16-14.
In box 4, Heather “Slider” was earning her nickname. This was most effective during an exchange in game 3. A topspin forehand looped over the net and spun towards the sideline and padded wall. “Slider” sprung into action, dropping to the floor and gliding on her knees with her arm at full stretch. Just before the ball could hit the wall, “Slider” flicked her wrist and made enough contact with the ball to send it cross court and over the net Mezmerized by this outstanding effort, the opposing team was slow to react and hit the ball into the net. Luckily for “Slider” the padded wall cushioned her impact.
January 26th, 2024Edit
New Friday Night Ladder Now in Session
The new session kicked off with competitive play across all four boxes. Two new players, Jane and Matthew, along with new spares, Julie and Helen, took play to a new level in their respective boxes. Jane winning her box and moving up this week.
A NEW FASHIONISTA?
In session 1, Colin set the bar high with his bright magenta shoes and equally colourful shirts. As he and I sat watching boxes 2 and 4 play, we noticed that a new player might be looking to steal Colin’s electric vibe. New comer, Matthew took to the court sporting an eye-popping pair of kicks. His neon yellow shoes left streaks of lightening with each step. Colin turned to me and proclaimed, “GAME ON!”
January 19th, 2024Edit
The Gym at GHSS
A word about the venue: we have found the conditions at the high school have grown on us. The lines are not a clear as we would like them to be but the wood floor is more forgiving on the body, and the high ceilings make the lob a valuable stroke in game strategy. The lighting is excellent. The custodial staff is friendly and accommodating. The gym is warm and welcoming on cold winter nights. So, as in life, there are pros and cons to most situations.
Final Outdoor Social Event held September 19
Our final monthly social event was held on September 19. The Cheesy and Saucy Pickleball Social took place at Beaver Valley Pickleball. Teams were formed by drawing cards and matches proceeded under "Robin Hood" rules where the team that was behind could exercise options to "steal" points from the team that was ahead. The father-son duo of Brian and Robert came out on top at the end of the evening play, edging the Norm and Meli tandem in the championship tilt. Everyone enjoyed a feast of pizza at the end of the evening.
There were four socials held in 2023 and all were well-attended. We look forward to holding more these fun events next year.
September 20th, 2023Edit
Presentation by PGH to Municipality of Grey Highlands
PGH presented as a delegation to council for the Municipality of Grey Highlands today. Our presentation went well, and council passed a motion to receive it and to support the initiatives of our club. Copies of the PowerPoint slides and the outline of oral remarks offered in support which comprised the presentation have been added to the Additional Documents section of this website. Take a look and let us know what you think!
July 19th, 2023Edit
Affiliated Club Status Received
Pickleball Club of Grey Highlands has received affiliated club status with Pickleball Canada and Pickleball Ontario. Club membership registrations can now be made on line.
May 25th, 2023