#063 Sept. 18, 2025 | Read on the web​

YCMA tournament has a division for you

I watched a nail-biter hockey game last weekend. The final score was 5-4. It was a thriller... and the players were just 11 and 12 years old.

It reminded me how exciting sports can be when the competitors are well-matched, whether it is a professions, kids or novice pickleball players.

On Sept. 26-28, the YMCA is holding a massive tournament and it has divisions for everyone.

The Upstate New York Pickleball Championship will be played at UAlbany over three days on nine courts.

But don't let the name scare you off. It has divisions for players who are just learning the game to events for advanced players. You can be champion of the "Mixed Doubles 2.5 - 3.0 Age 35 to 49" division!

Competing in events divided by skill and age is the dream. It means fun, well-balanced games. Don't miss this chance to compete with someone your own age and skill.

Registration closes on Monday (9/22). Sign up here:

​https://pickleballtournaments.com/tournaments/f69d831e-0a6d-4e3d-a8f0-861bc99db990​

Here is a snapshot of the divisions that already have a few teams registered...

Saturday, Sept. 27 – Womens Doubles

• 2.5–3.0 · Age 50–59 · 2 registered
• 3.0–3.5 · Age 35–49 · 4 registered
• 3.5–4.0 · Age 50–59 · 5 registered
• 3.5–4.0 · Age 60–69 · 2 registered
• 4.0–4.5 · Age 50–59 · 2 registered
• 4.0–4.5 · Age 60–69 · 2 registered

Saturday, Sept. 27 – Mens Doubles

• 2.5–3.0 · Age 35–49 · 2 registered
• 3.0–3.5 · Age 35–49 · 3 registered
• 3.0–3.5 · Age 50–59 · 3 registered
• 3.0–3.5 · Age 60–69 · 3 registered
• 3.0–3.5 · Age 70+ · 5 registered
• 3.5–4.0 · Age 12–34 · 2 registered
• 3.5–4.0 · Age 35–49 · 2 registered
• 3.5–4.0 · Age 50–59 · 4 registered
• 3.5–4.0 · Age 60–69 · 2 registered
• 3.5–4.0 · Age 70+ · 3 registered
• 4.0–4.5 · Age 50–59 · 2 registered

Sunday, Sept. 28 – Mixed Doubles

• 2.5–3.0 · Age 35–49 · 2 registered
• 2.5–3.0 · Age 70+ · 2 registered
• 3.0–3.5 · Age 35–49 · 2 registered
• 3.0–3.5 · Age 50–59 · 4 registered
• 3.0–3.5 · Age 70+ · 4 registered
• 3.5–4.0 · Age 12–34 · 5 registered
• 3.5–4.0 · Age 50–59 · 3 registered
• 3.5–4.0 · Age 60–69 · 3 registered
• 4.0–4.5 · Age 50–59 · 2 registered
• 4.0–4.5 · Age 60–69 · 2 registered

There truly is something for everyone!

(Registration tip: If you are registering on PickleballTournaments for the first time, I recommend that you first create a DUPR account. DUPR is the skill rating system that PickleballTournaments uses and players must connect their PickleballTournaments profile to their DUPR profile. The whole process is easier if you already have a DUPR account.)

Registration link: https://pickleballtournaments.com/tournaments/f69d831e-0a6d-4e3d-a8f0-861bc99db990​

If you are not sure of your skill level, check out this chart: https://pickleballtournaments.com/blog/understanding-pickleball-skill-levels-and-how-to-reach-yours​

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Upcoming tournaments in the Capital Region...

Sept. 20: Pickleball for the Ages (Raindate Sept. 21)​
at Village of Nelliston Courts, 35 Main St., Palantine Bridge, NY, to benefit the Montgomery County Office for Aging.
​https://www.vairified.com/for-the-ages-tournament​

Sept. 26-28: Upstate New York Pickleball Championship​
​at Broadview Center at the University at Albany to benefit the YMCA​
Tournament director: Jennifer Kendrick, YMCA
​https://pickleballtournaments.com/tournaments/f69d831e-0a6d-4e3d-a8f0-861bc99db990/events​

Oct. 4: Bethlehem Pickleball Tournament (Rain-date Oct. 5)​
at Bethlehem's Elm Avenue Park to benefit Bethlehem Senior Projects​
Tournament director: Cathleen Denbeaux, Pickleball518
​https://pickleballtournaments.com/tournaments/2nd-annual-bethlehem-pickleball-tournament
​Events are mostly full but there are a few spots available: 1 spots in men's doubles advanced (age 50 and under); 2 spots in mixed doubles intermediate (age 50 and above). Email me at cathleen@pickleball518.com if you miss tomorrow's registration deadline.​
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Oct. 18: Dink for Pink​
​at Hockey Hut to benefit the American Cancer Society​
Register in Court Reserve: Clifton Park Pickleball Club at Hockey Hut
Tournament director: Hockey Huthttps://app.courtreserve.com/Online/Events/List/11361?evTypeId=43711​
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Nov. 8-9: Capital Cup at True Pickleball​
Tournament director: Amateur Pickleball Association
​https://pickleballtournaments.com/tournaments/the-capital-cup-at-true-pickleball-club​

**MARK YOUR CALENDAR** Nov. 22, 23 & 24: Thanksgiving at Emma​
Emma Willard School in Troy, NY
​Mixed doubles, mens and women's doubles. :) ​
Tournament director: Cathleen Crowley Denbeaux, Pickleball518
Registration coming soon.

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CDPHP event to raise money

The CDPHP Foundation will host Pickleball with Purpose on Thursday, September 25, at True Pickleball Club in Latham, New York. The inaugural tournament supports the foundation’s mission to promote health, wellness, and education in local communities through philanthropy and service. Players of all experience levels are welcome, with divisions available for novice/beginner, intermediate, and advanced teams.

• Date: Thursday, September 25
• Time: Registration begins at 4:30 p.m.; tournament begins at 5 p.m.
• Registration: https://onecau.se/25pickleball​
• Cost: $100 per player; $25 discount for young professionals age 40 and under with code YP25. Food and one drink token included. Spectator registration also available.

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Day league and partner play at Picklers

Picklers hosts a popular "Partners" ladder every Friday night from 6 to 8 p.m. In this format, partners stay together the entire night.

Picklers is starting a new daytime league for men 55+ starting Wednesday, Oct. 15 from 10 a.m. to noon. The costs if $125 for 8 weeks. Sign up on Court Reserve: https://app.courtreserve.com/Online/Events/Details/11878/1N3RUL511878111?resId=41613391​

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Friday night league at Hockey Hut

Registration is open for The Clifton Park Pickleball Club's upcoming Ladder League on October 3rd. It will be every Friday night from 6 to 8 p.m. for 8 weeks at the Hockey Hut in Clifton Park. Register on Court Reserve: https://app.courtreserve.com/Online/Portal/Index/11361​

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Pro Allyce Jones offers clinics at True

True Pickleball Club will host PPA pro player Allyce Jones for a series of clinics on Monday, October 13, and Tuesday, October 14. Each three-hour session is $175 and focuses on different aspects of the game, from baseline to advanced DUPR-level training.Event Details

• Date: October 13–14, 2025
• Location: True Pickleball Club, 195 Troy-Schenectady Road, Latham, NY 12110
• Cost: $175 per three-hour session
• Registration:
• ​https://app.courtreserve.com/Online/Events/List/9234?evTypeId=30824​

Clinic Schedule

• October 13, 9 a.m.–12 p.m.: Getting to the Kitchen – Baseline & Mid-Court Training
• October 13, 2–5 p.m.: At the Kitchen Training
• October 14, 9 a.m.–12 p.m.: Boost Your DUPR – 4.0 to 5.5+

SPORTIME announces fall rates for court rentals and open play

SPORTIME Schenectady's release its fall promo prices for the fall season from September 20-December 1 ...

Court Rates

• 6 a.m.– 4 p.m. — $20/hr
• 4 p.m.– close — $30/hr
• Weekends — $30/hr

Open Play

• Daytime Open Play — $6
• Evening Open Play — $10

Private Lessons

• Private Lesson (1 person) — $60/hr
• Semi-Private (2 people) — $30 per person
• 3-Person Clinic — $20 per person
• 4-Person Clinic — $15 per person

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Coach Don Snyder still ripping up the court

Nott Road Pickleball (in Guilderland) celebrated local legend Don Snyder’s 90th Birthday at the courts this August. Don, a retired Guilderland teacher and coach, still plays pickleball almost every day. He plays a very competitive game of pickleball and has a very impressive win-loss record at the courts.

Submitted by Tom Greene

(Send your stories about local happenings and milestones to cathleen@pickleball518.com.)

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• ​List of indoor pickleball clubs in Capital Region​
• ​Map of pickleball courts in Greater Capital Region​
• ​List of upcoming tournaments in Greater Capital Region​
• ​List of pickleball instructors in Greater Capital Region​
• ​List of pickleball social clubs in Greater Capital Region​

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Signing up for a tournament on PickleballTournaments for the first time is not easy. If you are having trouble, reach out to me at cathleen@pickleball518.com and I will help.

Hope to see you on the court,

Cathleen Crowley Denbeaux

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• Send tips and pickleball news to Cathleen@pickleball518.com
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