Pickleball Magazine 3-2 | Page 11

PREMIER PICKLEBALL FACILITY IN THE SOUTHEAST DRAWS RAVE REVIEWS WOMEN BEYOND CANCER ANNOUNCES INAUGURAL PICKLEBALL RETREAT W C oming off a banner year in 2017, the Spalding County Pickleball complex in Griffin, Georgia, is geared up and ready to stage major tournaments in the coming months at its 18-court facility. Since its opening last August, the complex is quickly being recognized as one of the finest pickleball layouts in the country. It served as the host venue for the Georgia State Games and the USAPA Atlantic South Regional. As a result, participation nearly doubled for both prestigious events. “This world-class facility is a site for many future tournaments,” says Karen Parrish, USAPA Atlantic South Regional Director. omen Beyond Cancer, an organization offering free retreats for women diagnosed with any type of cancer, is incorporating pickleball into its retreats. Two Sisters Farm, a lovely 20-acre horse farm in Aiken, SC, will host the inaugural pickleball retreat from April 18-22. Eight women from across the country will participate. “We’re extremely proud of what we’ve accomplished here and have built a national reputation in a short amount of time,” says Peter Phelps, President of the Spalding County Pickleball Association, a not-for-profit organization devoted to developing, promoting and growing the sport of pickleball for the betterment of the local community. Members of the professional pickleball circuit are taking notice, too. “It’s one of the nicest facilities in the world,” says Kyle Yates, one of the pickleball’s marquee players. “There are over a dozen individually fenced, high-quality courts with room and seating for spectators. There are four covered courts for hot or rainy days, and the complex is beautifully maintained.” Chris Powers, Chairwoman of Women Beyond Cancer and owner of Two Sisters Farm, never heard of pickleball when she began hosting cancer retreats 10 years ago. Now a pickleball enthusiast, Powers thought that including pickleball in the retreat program would be beneficial, and after sharing her idea, she received an outpouring of encouragement to do it. From pros offering their services free of charge to folks sharing their personal cancer journeys, Chris was overwhelmed by the response from the pickleball community. The April retreat filled quickly and another is scheduled for May. At the retreats, women have an opportunity to bond, hang out with horses and dogs, enjoy yoga, receive a complimentary massage and now—play pickleball! For more information, visit womenbeyondcancer.org. MARCH/APRIL 2018 | MAGAZINE 9