New pickleball courts in Troy, tournament news and link to pickleball social clubs


#056 June 5, 2025 | Read on the web

Pickleball courts open at Prospect Park in Troy

The City of Troy has six new, dedicated pickleball courts at Prospect Park! The park sits on a hill just south of RPI. Thank Colleen Morrissey for this photo.

https://www.news10.com/community/upgrades-unveiled-at-troys-prospect-park/

Here is a map link to the courts:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/b9ks47y9PL8WjCGg9


Nonsurgical therapy for pickleball injuries

Problems like tennis elbow, back pain, and knee pain can hamper your game and leave you sidelined. Richard Kim Medicine is the Capital area's Regenerative Medicine specialist. Dr. Kim's therapies are perfect to limit downtime and return to play. If you are looking for solutions before surgery then natural, regenerative medicine is ideal. Dr. Kim's office also offers hassle-free MRI service, where ANYONE can call and use, no referral and no wait time. Call today for a free consultation 518-871-9900. SPONSOR


THIS SUNDAY: Dink for A Cure tournament at Siena 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Come watch. More info in section below!

June 14 & 15, 2025: Flutters of Hope (rain-date June 21 & 22)
McGregor Links in Wilton, Saratoga County to benefit Flutters of Hope.
https://www.fluttersofhopeinc.org

June 27-29: Nutmeg Games (divisions for youth and adults)
Rocky Hill, Conn.
https://pickleballtournaments.com/tournaments/2025-connecticut-masters-games-pickleball-tournament
If there are enough registrations, divisions are split by age.
⬆️ Pickleball518 is co-tournament director on this Nutmeg tournament. COME AND PLAY! ⬆️

July 11-13 Salt City Open
Syracuse, N.Y.
Top finishers in all age and skill divisions receive free entry to the PPA Nationals in Dallas.
https://eriecanalpickleball.com/so/25PSy2Vq9/

July 13: The Bousquet Sport Summer Slam
​https://pickleballtournaments.com/tournaments/bousquet-sport-summer-slam

July 19: Senior Showdown Mixed Doubles at Souther Saratoga YMCA
For players 50 and older. ​https://pickleballtournaments.com/tournaments/senior-showdown-mixed-doubles

July 26-27: 5th Annual Chuck Allen Memorial Tournament at Jenkinsville
The ADK Pickleball Club in conjunction with Town of Queensbury Recreation is holding the 5th Annual Chuck Allen Memorial Pickleball Tournament on Saturday and Sunday, July 26th and 27th . Cost is $30 for one event and $40 for 2 events. Chuck Allen, who died in 2020 from cancer, was instrumental in helping grow pickleball in this community including getting the Jenkinsville Courts built. This year, proceeds from the tournament will benefit the Glens Falls Family Association. Registering on a phone doesn't work well. Best to do registration from a computer:

https://www.adkpickleball.com/events/chuck-allen-memorial-tournament/

Oct. 4: Bethlehem Pickleball Tournament (Rain-date Oct. 5)
https://www.bethlehemseniorproject.org/bethlehem-pickleball-tournament-fundraiser Registration opens soon.


THIS SUNDAY: Raffles, music and competition at Arthritis tournament - spectators are welcome

The Arthritis Foundation's Dink for A Cure and Walk for A Cure is happening this Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Siena College Marcelle Athletic Complex. In addition to great competition, there also will be a raffle with paddles, shoes and other items.

The Arthritis Foundation has already raised $60,000 as part of the event, just $5,000 shy of its goal. You can help the organization reach its goal by buying raffle tickets or donating to one of teams below.

Here is the donation link: https://events.arthritis.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.teamList&eventID=1809 You can show your support for one of the teams below. All donations go directly to the Arthritis Foundation of Upstate New York.

  • Varsity Dinks - Joe Carusone, Jess Samplaski, Kate Belden & Paul Rothberg
  • AC/DJ - Allison Lipton, Carolynn Zauner, Daniel Hernandez, Jeff Hedden
  • Okee Dokes - Steve Gonick, Susan PD, Pam Hume, James VanBev, Elaine Heekin, Peter Farman, Denise Hoffman and Steve Fehervari
  • Pickleball Galaxy - Tony Pickles, Kim van Vloodorp Taylor, Olivia Bruni, Taylor Lipson, Gina Family
  • Guilderland Dutch Dinkers - Guilderland High School - Deb Murray, Kate Tymeson, Rick Murray & James Corona.
  • Team Mohawk Pickleball Club - Tom White, Deb Depoalo, Katherine Pohl, Kevin Cafaro, Mark Pohl, Nancy Holsberger, Peg White,
  • Regeneron - Alexi, Mason Forado, Justin Francis, Alex Ledford, James Zheng & Abby Brown
  • Pickleball518 - Rob and KK Kear, Rich and Donna Arnold
  • Beyond the Baseline - Center for Disabilities - Ryan Kass, Ally English and team
  • Amalgamated Dinksters - Judy and George Klapp, Natalie and Tom Greene
  • Albany County Legislators - Mickey Cleary, Dan McCoy, Matthew Miller, Jacob Crawford, Jeff Kuhn, Susan Laurilliard, Joanne Cunningham, Ryan Conway.
  • Doemel Dinkers - John Doemel, Michael Doemel, Danielle Faseun, Ella Irons, Jake Doemel, Gabrielle Coffey.
  • Full time students - Albany Med - Alexander Tran, Kang Min Song, Zach Nylund, Bailey Cross, Kevin Donnelly
  • Dick's House of Sport - Robin Storm, Debra Wager, Connor Tompkins, Emmanuel Perkins, Meghan Dougherty, Xzavier Francis
  • LCC Dinking Disciples: Loudonville Community Church - Nicholas Discala, Amy Ji, Monica Rosen, Carolyn Sonnekalb, Javier Rivera, Josh Herberger, Kim Copenhaver (Denise Hoffman is captain but playing in a different division)
  • Oxford Property Group - Jamie Sittner and team
  • Deloitte Dinksters - Keri Calagna and team

Donate to a team here: https://events.arthritis.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.teamList&eventID=1809

Pickleball Dinks & Donations at SSYMCA on June 28

Dinks and Donations is a pickleball skills event to support the Circle of Champs program that brings joy and support to children facing life-threatening illnesses.

This isn’t your typical day on the courts. Step up to the challenge with fun and friendly games like hitting a pickleball over the net into a bucket or knocking over a cone — all for the chance to win some fantastic prizes.

Saturday, June 28, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be food and snacks: Grilled Bilinski’s sausages, Sabrett’s hot dogs, and Codino’s pierogies, and snack samples from Daily Crunch and Wickles Pickles.

Pricing: 10 balls – $10; 30 balls – $20; Unlimited balls (all-day access) – $100

Register here: https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/registration-form/?formId=e25c4bc5-b5df-45a3-be27-7103d19bbdc7&envId=p-cApng5Q7RkG4rlzoAI4m1w&zone=usa


Intro to Novice League at Hockey Hut – 2-Week Program with Gina Family

Join a two-week clinic designed as the bridge between beginner lessons and your first league.

Participants will:

  • Learn how league night gameplay rotations and court movement work
  • Apply skills from Pickleball 101 and 102 in real game situations
  • Receive on-court coaching to build confidence for league play

Dates: Monday, June 9 and June 16
Time: 5:30 to 6:45 p.m.
Location: Clifton Park Pickleball Club at the Hockey Huthttps://mobileapp.courtreserve.com/Online/Public/EmbedCode/11361/27779/1348845?orgLayout=true

Pickleball 101 Clinic with Gina Family at Hockey Hut

This beginner class is ideal for those brand new to pickleball.

Participants will learn:

  • Basic game rules and scoring
  • Doubles court positioning and footwork
  • Stroke mechanics, serving and returning
  • How to rally with confidence

Date: Monday, June 9
Time: 4 to 5:15 p.m.
Location: Clifton Park Pickleball Club at the Hockey Hut

No equipment is needed—Paddletek paddles and balls are provided. (This class is for true beginners with no prior experience.)https://mobileapp.courtreserve.com/Online/Public/EmbedCode/11361/27779/1348829?orgLayout=true


Southern Saratoga YMCA leagues start on June 17

Divisions include Novice, Intermediate, Women’s Doubles, Men’s Doubles, and 50+ leagues. More information is available at www.cdymca.org. Players interested in playing pickleball and community involvement can join Team Reach using code ssyleague.

For the Y's Thursday night 50+ leagues, players also join U.S. Senior Pickleball




A report from the Quad State Pickleball Tournament

By Chris Rusc

Some local 518 pickleball members had the chance to participate in the first Quad State Challenge held in West Dover Vermont. This tournament piggybacked off of the success of the "Battle of Bennington" organized by Evan Wilson over the last few years.

Quad State encompassed 4 states to battle it out in an MLP, team like format with proceeds going to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The states included New York, Vermont, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.

Captaining the New York team was Ria Van Niekirk and Chris Rusc.
The goal was to play outdoors at the newly-renovated Southern Vermont Pickleball Club, however, bad weather forced the tournament to move indoors to Stratton.

The competition was hot and heavy all day. What was even hotter was the team camaraderie. The teammates' cheering really was something to witness as many times there were some final games finishing up, and the teams gathered around, watching many close matches unfold.

After gender doubles, New York was down 2, so it came down to Mixed Doubles. New York gave it a valiant effort and fell just short to Massachusetts. Vermont was the big winner for the day, defeating New Hampshire in a point tiebreak. Ultimately, the tournament raised nearly $5,000 for Make-A-Wish and new relationships (and rivalries) were formed. This tournament would not have been a success without the tournament director (Trip Morse), the state captains, and of course the players.

Pickleball518 welcomes news, photos and reports from local pickleball players! Send me your news at cathleen@pickleball518.com



The Pickleball518 website now has a webpage with links to local pickleball social clubs including the Adirondack Pickleball Club, Colonie Pickleball Club and Mohawk Pickleball Club. These groups are a little more organized - some of them have officers and bylaws and/or websites. If you want your group listed, email me at cathleen@pickleball518.com

I hope to see you on the court,

Cathleen

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Read more from Pickleball518: Pickleball news from Upstate New York

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