Sometimes, it’s good to be in a pickle. That’s what owners and guests at Silver Palms RV Resort will experience at the 2018 Silver Palms Gamma Pickleball Classic, February 9th to 11th.
National pickleball champions, Terry Morais and Bruce Reed, are excited to play again in the tournament at Silver Palms this year.
“The Silver Palms’ pickleball tournament is special as it’s our ‘home’ tournament,” says Reed. “It draws players and guests from southern Florida and elsewhere and affords the opportunity to showcase the resort and how beautiful it is.”
Several tournament categories are offered for varying skill levels in women’s and men’s doubles and mixed doubles, and Silver Palms is offering tournament registrants, and anyone watching, a three-day stay for $129 during the tournament.
Morais adds, “Silver Palms has 10 wonderful courts that are well situated within the resort. And they are also lighted for nighttime play.”
The sport of pickleball is something that has been widely embraced by retirees and pre-retirees and is growing, thanks to its many advantages: “It is fun, social, great from a fitness standpoint, can be played indoor and outdoor, is inexpensive to play, and can be played into old age,” Morais says. “The biggest attraction of this game is how easy it looks to play, so you just want to try it. Once you try it, your life will change.”
But recreational play is far from the only growth area. Pickleball is also expanding on a competitive scale, with “more tennis, squash, and badminton players trading in their rackets for pickleball paddles,” says Morais. “The competition is increasing at an incredible rate!”
That makes tournaments like this one coming up at Silver Palms even more in-demand.
“As the game continues to grow by leaps and bounds, more and more young players are entering the game,” Reed adds. “Prize money is now associated with many tournaments. The players are getting quicker and shots are becoming much faster. The tournament circuit nationwide is exploding.”
In the weeks leading up to the tournament, many players will be training harder to give themselves an edge. Morais and Reed recommend getting that practice in, and even if this is your first tournament, to keep at it.
“Approximately 80 percent of the players play recreationally,” Morais says. “If you want to become a tournament champion, you must play and practice six to seven days a week, like any other sport. Drilling is the most important aspect.”
Reed adds: “There are many aspects to this game. In order to master it, you must learn a shot or strategy and work on each of these over and over until you get to be the best at it. And, enter as many tournaments as possible.”
Silver Palms is an upscale, gated RV community in Okeechobee, Florida that epitomizes the ultimate Florida getaway and offers gorgeous RV sites for purchase. In addition to the 10 professional pickleball courts, the resort features a pool, poolside bar and cafe, clubhouse, and plenty of on-site activities.
For more information or to reserve a stay at Silver Palms RV Resort, call 888-323-4967. Register for the tournament at pickleballtournaments.com.
