June 13, 2025

Shireen Kolarik
Jun 12
10 min read

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!

Shirley Stoddard

Gary Bulger

Erica Stoker

Gift From Pickleball For Parkinson's

At the May 13th board meeting, the club received a very thoughtful and much appreciated gift. The gift of 100 Selkirk S1 pickleballs from the Quail Creek Pickleball for Parkinson’s group!

This group came together last fall as part of a national study of the benefits of pickleball for those with Parkinson’s. It is coached by several members of the club.

Don Armour, our club secretary and member of the group, presented the gift.

Don spoke of the physical benefits the sport provides this group. He also shared other benefits. The ability of the members to come together in a social setting to share their journey and experiences, to form friendships and relate is quite meaningful.

QCPC is grateful. Not only for the gift. But also for the chance to help provide this opportunity to such a wonderful group!

If you have any questions, please contact Don Armour or Lenny Friedman (Founding Father of the group).

Don Armour donaldbjarmour@gmail.com

Lenny Friedman lenny.pickleball@gmail.com

Pickleball For Parkinson's Fundraising

The Quail Creek Chapter of Pickleball for Parkinson's had a fundraising event at the Quail Creek Pickleball courts on May 9th. Watch this great video to learn more.

Donations to the Parkinson’s Foundation can still be made at

https://secure3.convio.net/prkorg/site/TR?px=2997207&fr_id=5826&pg=personal

PICKLEBALL’S LIBERATING POTENTIAL

It began with a whiffleball and an idea. Then gained momentum, first among active adult developments. Then high schools and college campuses and communities across the country. Now it’s often referred to as the fastest growing sport in America. It’s pickleball!

And its growth in one community in particular caught the attention of QCPC member Jeff Uhler and GVR member Kirk Cross: Prisons.

Pickleball was introduced to an incarcerated population at Cook County Jail of Chicago in 2017 by Roger Belair, a retired businessman from Washington state. After viewing a CBS 60 minutes segment investigating conditions at the jail, Roger felt strongly that pickleball would be a positive force for these men. So he started a successful program there.

Since then, his movement spread to over 50 institutions in 17 states, Canada and the UK. (Watch soon for a documentary currently in production featuring Roger and his compelling story.)

Inspired by Roger’s efforts, and thanks to the warden and staff at the Arizona State Prison Complex in Tucson, Jeff and Kirk collaborated to start a program at the Manzanita Unit there.

The inmates prepared and painted a court on their outdoor basketball court. Jeff and Kirk provided a portable net plus donated paddles and balls courtesy of the GVRPB Club. There are now dozens of men at the Manzanita Unit playing pickleball daily, rotating play on a single court.

One of the men, Chuey, took the lead. He schedules play for his fellow inmates. Below is an excerpt from an article he wrote for the prison newsletter:

“Over the last 4 weeks I have had the opportunity to play regularly and it has made my life immeasurably better. Playing pickleball has allowed me to see the things I didn’t like about myself and begin to improve in those areas. I was able to see that my fitness level wasn’t where I needed to be, so I made a change and began a new HIIT training class for the yard. Being in prison is difficult at many levels but with the addition of pickleball I feel a little more free each day and look forward to playing when I am released. Jeff and Kirk have given me a new outlook on life and a feeling that I am greater than what my circumstances dictate.”

Jeff and Kirk look to expand the program to additional units at the prison. They are in need of donated paddles and volunteer coaches. Paddles can be dropped off next to Jeff’s front door at 1528 E Dahlia Drive.

Please contact Jeff Uhler at either 847-971-5360 or georgeuhler@gmail.com with any questions.

Thanks in advance for your support!

New Feature in CourtReserve - Open Matches!

In the QCPC member survey earlier this year, some members provided feedback that it was difficult to meet other players and get invited to private matches at their skill level. In an effort to address that feedback, QCPC is rolling out a new feature in CourtReserve that will provide the opportunity to create and join Open Matches. Any QCPC member can create and join Open Matches.

Open Matches are court reservations that allow others to join and play. Open Matches can be set up for playing games or for drilling. Open Matches can be open to anyone or specific to a certain skill level, gender, and/or age. Open Matches are an excellent way to add some variety to your pickleball experience in addition to your existing groups and scheduled play.

For instructions on creating and joining Open Matches, click here. Instructions are also linked on CourtReserve under the Resources tab.

Another New Feature in CourtReserve - DUPR Integration!

In May, the QCPC Board voted to give players the option of adding their active DUPR rating to their CourtReserve account. CourtReserve will continue to support ITPTA and other ratings for those who currently have a rating or wish to get a rating in the future. By adding a DUPR option, we are giving our members another option for tracking their development and finding players with a similar skillset. We are offering this option on a trial basis for the summer and will make adjustments as we get feedback from our members.

What is DUPR?

DUPR stands for Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating. It's a widely used rating system that assesses a player's skill level based on match results, making it a dynamic, evolving rating system. DUPR aims to provide an accurate and consistent way to rate players.

Instead of testing for a rating, DUPR uses your match results and the relative strength of your partner and opponents to assign ratings. You will receive a rating after your first few matches, but the system will assign you a low confidence in your ratings until you get enough matches in the system. Your DUPR rating will change up or down after every time you play and submit scores.

DUPR is the official rating system for the PPA, MLP, and UPA pickleball tours. The DUPR rating system rates players on a scale similar to other rating scales:

2.000-2.999 - Novice

3.000-3.999 - Intermediate

4.000-4.999 - Advanced

5.000-8.000 - Professional

Ben Johns is a 7.339 and Anna Leigh Waters is 6.636 in DUPR.

For more information and instructions on how to get a DUPR account and rating, how to join the QCPC Pickleball Club in DUPR and how to link your DUPR rating to CourtReserve, click here. Instructions are also linked on CourtReserve under the Resources tab.

New 3.0-3.5 DUPR Organized Play Round Robin

Interested in getting a DUPR rating but not sure how to start? QCPC is offering a new 3.0-3.5 DUPR Round Robin on Tuesday mornings from 7am-9am starting on June 17. Players must have a DUPR account and join the Quail Creek Pickleball Club in DUPR before they play. Scores will be recorded and entered after the matches.

For more information and instructions on how to get a DUPR account and rating, how to join the QCPC Pickleball Club in DUPR and how to link your DUPR rating to CourtReserve, click here. Instructions are also linked on CourtReserve under the Resources tab.

If you have questions or are interested in starting a similar group for 2.5-3.0 or 4.0+, please contact Michael Myers at mtmyers68@gmail.com.

QCPC Information Sessions

June 23rd and 26th

2:00-3:00pm

Mesquite Conference Room

The Quail Creek Pickleball Club has launched a number of new initiatives on a trial basis over the last two months. The initiatives include offering DUPR as a way to get a rating and track progress and the new Open Matches option in this newsletter. If you would like to understand more about these offerings or have any other questions about the club, please attend one of the two sessions.

Taking into account the number of courts now available and the seasonal absence of many members, the QCPC Board approved on a trial basis a change to Prime Time reservations this summer. From now through September 2025, a playing group may have one "outside" guest for each QC resident in the group during Prime Time (not to exceed four times per week). The existing rules limiting the number of courts reserved during Prime Time were not changed. The Board will evaluate court usage during the trial period and may modify or terminate the test if needed.

CELEBRATE THE 4TH ON THE 5TH

Mixed Round Robin Pickleball Social

Saturday, July 5

Play from 7:30 – 9:30 AM

Join your Pickleball friends and meet new ones at our summer social on July 5. Your Social Committee will be making and serving egg and cheese burritos along with fruit salad and juice. Because our committee has been so frugal with expenses this year, the Club is able to cover the cost of your breakfast!

Players will be able to register to play on Court Reserve starting on Saturday, June 28 at 9:00 PM. Please sign up only if you can play all 6 games. Because of the heat, we will play 12 minute games. Players must sign-in to play on the 5th between 6:45 – 7:15 AM, otherwise your spot will be given to another player.

We are trying something new so read this carefully: you will register at the Upper Level Ramada and play on the Upper Level Courts 1 – 16. We think these courts provide for more socialization because we can actually see and interact with one another. Breakfast will be served at the Lower Level Ramada because that is where our tables, plates and utensils are kept.

Finally, after almost 4 years as Social Chair, I am resigning to not only give myself a break but to allow new members with new ideas to take over. I have had a blast serving on this committee and am grateful for the opportunity to serve on the Board. I am very pleased to announce that Barb Ware will officially take over in September. A few members from our current committee will continue to help support Barb and she’s added several new members that you’ll get to meet on July 5th.

The QCPC Social is open for all QCPC members to participate in at all skill levels. The goal of the Social and all QCPC events is to have a fun, safe event, so please be aware of who you are playing with and their level of experience.

Roxanne Housley, QCPC Social Chair

Members: Cindy Mueller, Wendy Turley, Chris Reitz, Madelyn Witt, Tina Davis, Georgine Thomas, Yo-yo Ehrmentrout, Barb Ware, Tricia Kordalski, Susan Grass, Michelle Skoglund, Bill Foraker

Past Members: Mary Taylor, Bobbi Jo Blythe, Jill Eisele, Susan Jones

With my 2024-2025 season now complete, I want to thank each and every one of you that participated in my lessons. I unfortunately had to cut short my final month of teaching due to a medical issue that I’ll be recuperating from post-surgery during the month of June and perhaps even into July. I look forward to being totally healed, in top shape, and ready to go by early/mid-October 2025.

For you “stat geeks”, here are my final numbers:

· 175 individual students took classes during the 2024/2025 season

· A grand total of 621 students participated (an average of 3.55 lessons taken by each 175 individual students)

· A total of 169 classes (REGULAR (79), PRIVATE (66), KATHY KLINICS (21) were taught

· Of the 175 individuals, 104 were past season students / 71 were brand new

· To date, a grand total of 451 individual students have taken part in at least one GQ PICKLEBALL class since the inaugural 2021/2022 season.

· Males = 179 / Females = 272 (you go girls!)

· The grand total of 2,973 students for four seasons equals an average of 6.6 classes taken by the 451 individuals

· In four seasons of lessons, the yearly average is 743 students per season (around 90+ per month).

THANKS TO ALL! THOSE ARE INCREDIBLE NUMBERS AND I TRULY HOPE I HELPED OR AT LEAST PROVIDED INFORMATION AND FUN TO ADD TO YOUR PICKLEBALL JOURNEY! THE GROWTH OF THIS GAME HAS BEEN INCREDIBLE AND I’M NEVER SHORT OF NEW MATERIAL TO TEACH THANKS TO MY MEMBERSHIP TO USA PICKLEBALL, PPR PICKLEBALL, AND NUMERIOUS PICKLEBALL TRAINING SITES. THIS GAME IS HERE TO STAY!

UPCOMING 2025/2026 SEASON

Every season (and sometimes in-season), I tweak or change up on some class offerings to help meet the demand for those in the 2.0 (graduated beginners), 2.5, 3.0, and 3.5 level students. I also move around on certain days and times to avoid repetition or same level classes offered by others and our volunteer staff. This worked very well last season thanks to Ray Hayward, our Player Development Board Member. I’ll be planning with Ray in the near future to map out class strategy and offerings that will best suit the membership. I will also be planning with Kathy Palese, (“Kathy’s Klinics”) in hopes we can increase her very popular class offerings as well. I want to also give a shout out to Dave Mungo and his mentorship. He’s always kept me “upright” when things I felt were not level to me and my teaching “product”. Lastly, a great big THANKS to Shireen Kolarik and the incredible job she does with our Newsletter. The work she does is amazing so please don’t take her for granted!

If you have any questions, suggestions, comments on future class offerings,

PLEASE send to GQPickleball@gmail.com.

Happy and safe summer to all!

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT CHAIR OPPORTUNITY

The Player Development Chair is a part of the great QCPC leadership team. The chair works with a group of talented lead instructors. Together they oversee and implement programs that help hundreds of your fellow members improve their skills and thereby enjoy the game even more.

Lead instructors include dedicated volunteers and paid instructors. This group offers a variety of lessons, drills and playing opportunities for multiple levels of play.

You don’t need to be a top player. Your best skills are the ability to listen, to communicate, and to coordinate with your team.

The biggest reward of a successful program: watching your fellow members and your club get even better! It’s an opportunity worth exploring.

If interested or you have questions, please contact Frank Baker, QCPC VP, frank1010baker@gmail.com, or Ray Hayward, Player Development Chair, ra_hayward@yahoo.com.