David Zapatka The ESPY Awards, or Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Awards, are an annual American awards show produced by ESPN that recognizes individual and team athletic achievements and other sports-related performances. The awards are presented for achievements during the calendar year preceding the ceremony. Has pickleball ever been recognized in the ESPY Awards ceremony?…
Tag: pickleball
September 2025, Generals
From the Fitness Corner: Benefits of SMARTfit!
Lois Moncel, Director of Fitness & Wellness Have you familiarized yourself with using SMARTfit yet? This is a great piece of exercise equipment that addresses a vast array of different needs for your physical and cognitive skills. Workouts are offered for those that are seeing a decline in cognitive skills as well as those who…
May 2025, Clubs & Classes
Relishing Pickleball: Keys to Successful Net Play
David Zapatka We’ve all heard the saying, “Pickleball is won at the net.” What does this mean? Honing your skills around the non-volley zone (kitchen) can improve your play and results. Here are a few key points: 1. It all starts with hitting a deep serve, putting the opponents in a position where it’s tougher…
Generals, May 2025
Enjoy an Active Lifestyle at Robson Reserve at Sun Lakes
Lance Williams, Executive Director Experience actively independent living at its finest at Robson Reserve at Sun Lakes! Imagine enjoying a low-maintenance residence and a fulfilling lifestyle with luxury amenities, fun events, and engaging activities. Plus, as a Robson Reserve at Sun Lakes resident, you can have access to golf, pickleball, tennis, and more at IronOaks…
March 2025
March at the Ranch
Tamara Weaver March is a wonderful month in Arizona, with reported average daytime temps ranging between the mid 70s and low 80s. Who wouldn’t be up for a round of golf, a hike up a mountain, a game of pickleball, a nice bicycle ride about town? No one could blame you for wanting to be…
Sports, December 2024
Relishing Pickleball: Be Courteous on the Pickleball Court—Make It Fun!
David Zapatka I play pickleball for fun. Do you? If it wasn’t fun, I wouldn’t play it. I like to play with fun people. Don’t you? Are these things important to you? If they are, this article is for you and your friends. Being courteous and having fun means finding enjoyment in the sport and…
November 2024, Sports
Relishing Pickleball: Be The Best You
David Zapatka Two months ago, we wrote an article on being the best partner. This month is about being the best you on the court by focusing on your skills to strengthen your side of the partnership. Open space—The best players I’ve played against in my pickleball-playing career have been the ones who could create…
August 2024, Sports
Relishing Pickleball: The 4th Shot, Part 2
David Zapatka Consider these targets when hitting the 4th shot. 1. Hit to the opponent who is furthest back in the court. This will keep your opponents on defense. 2. Hit to the middle. The middle often causes confusion between the opponents. 3. Hit to your opponents’ feet. This is always an excellent target. It…
June 2024, Clubs & Classes
Robson Ranch Fine Arts Guild Fundraiser Supports the Eloy Food Pantry
Two of the most popular sports at Robson Ranch are golf and pickleball. Therefore, these were the topics selected by the watercolor and acrylic workshop groups of the Fine Arts Guild. These projects were raffled at the March Arts and Craft Show and raised $1,100 for the Eloy Food Pantry (located in the First United…
May 2024, Sports
Pickleball End-of-the-Year Party
Beth Sulek-LaHousse The Robson Ranch Arizona Pickleball Club celebrated the end of the year with a huge party at the pickleball courts. Over 300 of our 632 members attended on March 28. There were carnival games, a photo booth, bocce ball, cornhole, and a cake walk to give the members something fun to do while…