Pickleball
Want to be a part of the fastest growing sport in the country? Come play pickleball!
Visit DCTC pickleball on social media:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/dctc_pickleball?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/720772799540482/?ref=share&mibextid=zoDNOU
- Reserve a Court at: https://www.CourtReserve.com
DCTC Pickler Facts:
With the popularity of pickleball increasing dramatically here at DCTC, we are excited to be able to have Mike Walter at 425-765-8590 (PickleballDCTC@gmail.com) and Debbie Walter at 206-930-8699 (Debbie@DebbieWalter.com) as our Pickleball Co-Directors. Mike and Debbie facilitate daily court flow, manage Round Robin play, coordinate In-House and Desert League play, provide demo paddles/balls, manage pro shop, facilitate special holiday events and more. Mike is ranked in the top 20 Senior Pro division and Debbie is a 4.5 tournament gold/silver medal winner.
We have six beautiful, dedicated courts right here at DCTC offering social and organized play throughout the week. Since Pickleball combines elements of tennis, ping pong and volleyball the learning curve is extremely fast, with fun being a must!
Players here at DCTC have teams competing in the Desert Pickleball League. We fielded a Men’s Elite team, a Men’s Premier team and a Women’s Premier team. League play is typically Thursday afternoons. The Men’s Elite and the Women’s Premier teams were proud to medal for the 2020 season!
With pickleball being so social, DCTC sponsors many events throughout the season. It starts with the DCTC opening party partnering with the tennis and social committees, continues with social play, round robins, drill clinics and men's/women's in-house league to name a few. You will find the pickleball seating area decorated for fun play on Super Bowl Sunday, Valentine’s Day, various fun fashion theme days like Crazy Shirt Day, Safari Camo Day, Neon 80s Day and even musical fundraiser events here at DCTC.
Fun Pickler Facts:
Pickleball has experienced a 385% growth since 2010 with more than 5 million players. Approximately 111 pickleball courts are added each month in the U.S. and many in Canada too.
The Pickleball National Championships are held in early November at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden with over 5000 participants broadcast on ESPN. Several of our own DCTC players have competed in this event! The championship grows each year with plans to be at Indian Wells for years to come.
Because pickleball is easy to learn and play, you will find families and groups grabbing a court and playing most afternoons too.
Pickler Volunteers
Barbara Thomas - DCTC Picklers Email Subgroup
Bonnie Blanton - Desert League
Bruce Webb - DCTC PB Website
Dagmar Amtmann - Court Reserve Member Support
Fred Zapf - Trumpet Player
Jack Tilford - Court Reserve Tech Support
Jim Woeppel - Desert League
Krissy & James Taylor - Event Photo Logo
Nanette Hollmeyer - Desert League
Rebecca Blankfield / Karen Karlsen - Social Media
Sarah Ness - PB Court Decor
Sheri Shepard - Women’s In-House League
Tony Bardsley - Men’s In-House League
Vincent Gerace - Signature Logo/DCTC Picklers Email Subgroup
Committee Members:
John Lockwood - CoChairman
Mike Barone - CoChairman
Debbie Lockwood - Secretary
Polly Stahl - Treasurer
Jim Woeppel - At-Large Core Member
Jim Sterken - At-Large Core Member
Sheri Shepard - Board Liaison
Mike Walter - PB CoDirector
Debbie Walter - PB CoDirector
Pickleball pros
DCTC Professionals
DCTC is lucky to have Mike Walter (PickleballDCTC@gmail.com) as the Pickleball Co-Director. Mike Walter is a Top 20 nationally ranked pickler in the Senior Pro Singles (50+). Mike has won several medals in Men’s Doubles, Mixed Doubles & Singles. He has qualified and competed at Nationals in Indian Wells on multiple occasions. Mike’s sports background & first love is tennis as he played for Division I at WSU (Washington State University – Go Cougs!). He is also a Certified Professional Tennis Coach as he was a vital Board Member for 12+ years at Eastside Tennis Center, a non-profit public facility in Kirkland, WA. Mike truly believes his transition over to pickleball has increased his 5.0-level tennis skills too. When not on the pickleball or tennis courts, you will likely find Mike burning extra calories on a hike, bike or soccer field.
Debbie Walter (Debbie@DebbieWalter.com) is also the Pickleball Co-Director. Debbie Walter is also a nationally ranked pickler in the 4.5 Skill Category. Debbie has won several medals in both Women’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles as she leaves the singles to her hubby. Debbie has also qualified and competed at Nationals in Indian Wells on multiple occasions. Debbie’s sports background also includes earning a full-ride tennis scholarship to Division II / Cal State University of Bakersfield. Debbie is a Certified Pickleball Instructor who loves working with Beginners/Improvers and Intermediate Players. When not on the pickleball courts, you will likely find Debbie on a hike, dog park or helping her Real Estate clients buy &/or sell homes.
Lessons
Mike and Debbie teach private, semi-private, 3 & me's, and custom group lessons. In addition, they offer fun and informative group drills, clinics and camps.