The Sun City Pickleball Charter Club, whose motto is “Game On” concluded its summer season with a three-day tournament ending September 20.
“We had 200 participants, and they all played well,” Pickleball Charter Club President Pam White said. “We had participants from age 50 to 100, and some of the older players beat some of the younger ones.”
Pete Karambelas, left and Glenn Groebli, competed in the Sun City Pickleball Charter Club doubles tournament. (Photo provided)
One pairing in the doubles competition seemed to stand out. It was Glenn Groebli and Pete Karambelas, ages 88 and 100, respectively. About 60 players won medals.
“They were an inspiration to all of us, always smiling and to never quit,” White said. “Pickleball has grown by leaps and bounds.”
“Thank you and congratulations to all who participated in any way, in making this event successful. We are all winners for being part of this great Sun City community,” according to the Sun City Facebook post.
Players competed in doubles divisions with ratings of 2.5 to 4.0. The following are the medal winners:
Rating women’s 2.5: 1st, Teri Brandstatter and Gloria Ziemann; 2nd; Cathy Byrne and Marianne Jahnke and 3rd, Jan Newman and Linda Starkey.
Women’s 3.0: 1st, Kathy Bodick and Nancy Jenks; 2nd, Kimberly Mompier and Cindy Kamijima and 3rd, Sue Burton and Sandy Gentile.
Women’s 3.5: 1st, Julie Crittenden and Diane Prank; 2nd, Nancy Glick and Val Keaty and 3rd, Jennifer Malacina and Carolyn Russell.
Women’s 4.0: 1st, Laura Ferraris and Colleen Kramer and 2nd, Sharon Little and Katy Clark.
Men’s 2.5: 1st, Steve Burgett and Jim Zito and 2nd, Dick Storer and Jim Suerth.
Men’s 3.0: 1st, Bob Darm and Tom Oberhauser; 2nd, Mike Neveaux and Roger Lewis and third, Drew Catania and Pete Kiolbasa.
Men’s 3.5: 1st, Jim Kimble and Joe Woit; 2nd, Dick Campbell and Don Wickersham and 3rd, Jeff Collis and Tom Keaty.
Men’s 4.0: 1st, Mike Grantham and Ken Strom and 2nd Mike Christy and Mike Anderson and 3rd, Dion Zinnel and Jeff Williams.
Mixed doubles 3.0: 1st, Patrice Goostree and Rich Podemski and 2nd, Nancy Jenks and Tom Oberhauser and 3rd, Cindy Kamijima and Bob Darm.
Mixed doubles, 3.5: 1st, Belinda Foster and Jerry Seyffert and 2nd, Sharon Little and Ted Reffett and third, Lisa Kimble and Jim Kimble.
Mixed doubles, 4.0: 1st, Colleen Kramer and Jeff Spiller; 2nd, Laura Ferraris and Dave Decker and 3rd, Katy Clark and Paul Grant.
