Roots & Wings Online
The LARCS ladies pickleball club hosts a round-robin tournament with fun, flair, and friendship.
The Ladera Ranch Ladies Pickleball Club held its round-robin holiday pickleball tournament, known as the HoliDINK-DINK the HALLS, at the Avendale Village Clubhouse courts.
According to Jill Lau, a Ladera Ladies Pickleball Club member, "This is an event for all levels that our members can enjoy. Players were organized into four groups based on their skill level. Each person played approximately seven games and rotated with different partners and dressed in holiday attire, competing for the coveted, "Queen of the Court” award presented for each group level."
Ladera Ranch Community Services (LARCS) provided prizes, courtesy of Community Partners, Ladera Family and Sports Chiropractic, zpizza Ladera, and Rancho Capistrano Winery.
Groups 1 and 2 (beginners and intermediate) played between 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. timeframe. Group 4, which is the advanced level, played from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and then Group 3, the advanced intermediate players followed.
Each game was played to seven, instead of eleven, as in a standard game. At the end of each round, players reported their scores to Aurora Djurdjulov and Denise Frank, who calculated the points to determine the players' standings.
At the end of each group’s time, a Queen of the Court award was presented to each winner. A Holiday Spirit award was presented for each skill level group for the team with the most holiday spirit (costumes, donations, etc.)
The Club had a physical therapist from Select PT on hand to suggest exercises that players could do to promote safety.
Ladera Ladies Pickleball Club Founder, Denise Frank said, "I want to thank everyone who participated in our HoliDINK-DINK the Halls tournament and everyone who comes out to play, connect and encourage each other, every week. We appreciate you all and wish you a happy holiday season!"
Photo (L-R): Aurora Djurdjulov, Denise Frank and Jill Lau.
Congratulations to the 2023 Merry Dinkmas Winners
Group 1: Mira Putica, Beginner
Group 2: Kim Auer, Intermediate
Group 3: Holly Hinrichs, Advanced Intermediate
Group 4: Aurora Djurdjulov, Advanced
Group 3 was named the "Most Spirited" group of the tournament. They were overall best dressed - in holiday festive outfits - and donated their time and other items to the event.
