Pickleball-The Early Years at Lake of The Woods

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In 2017 we celebrated the 50th Anniversary of our fantastic community: Lake of The Woods (LOW). Two years prior to that, we celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the game with the funny name: Pickleball. Yes, the fastest growing sport in the country is that old!

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Pickleball was introduced to LOW in 2006 by Shirley and John Cavanaugh of Lakeview Parkway. The Cavanaughs discovered the fun sport and social activity in Ft. Myers, Florida where they spent their winters. 

 

They contacted the LOW Activity Director to get the pickleball rolling. After encountering much resistance at the beginning, Shirley and John persisted and bought the needed equipment themselves when they were granted permission to use the new Community Center at Sweetbriar Park. They used the Lake Currents to advertise a Beginners class, and Channel 18 played a USA Pickleball Association video that described the game.

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The Beginners class started with 6-8 curious newbies who learned the fundamentals of the game. Pickleball was played at the CC on Monday and Wednesday afternoons only. Over the years, management changed at LOW with Phil Rodenberg becoming GM and Sylvia Selinsky the LOW Community Operations Manager. Phil and Sylvia were very helpful in the growth of pickleball at LOW by allowing for more playing days and extended times to play at the CC.

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In the early days of pickleball at LOW, John says that “There were times when we didn't even have enough players to make a foursome, let enough to divide into skill levels, so everyone just played together and had fun. We have always stressed the fun aspect of the game.”

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In 2008, Shirley and John looked for outdoor space to create two courts. There was an unused concrete slab next to the volleyball court near the old Fitness Center / pool house. Outdoor play was up and running!

 

During the winter of 2010 while Shirley and John were “snowbirding” in Florida and after the skateboard park was no longer being utilized near the compactor site, Bob Spencer and Jeff Vandling had arranged to get that area converted into two pickleball courts.

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Over the next several years the interest in Pickleball continued to grow at an amazing pace, necessitating even more court capacity. As the leader of the LOW Pickleball Club, Tena Marangi worked tirelessly convincing LOWA to convert 2 of their lighted Tennis courts into 6 Pickleball courts. She provided leadership through all project phases, from initial cost estimation and documentation of proposals for Board review and approval, to writing detailed specifications for bidding and interacting with vendors throughout the construction phase. Finally, our beautiful new outdoor courts became a reality, opening for play in July 2018.