The annual World Pickleball Tour – Savannah Challenge was held at The Landing Golf & Athletic Club from March 1 - 3. It’s a big deal, which means it should have been a big weekend for Landings Club pickleball. But it seems Mother Nature had other ideas. As we all know, she can be temperamental and for reasons unknown, she was in a very bad mood last weekend.
The WPT is important to The Landings as picklers come from all over the country to enjoy three days of solid competition, and in doing so, get a taste of what living at The Landings is like. This year 383 individuals from twenty-five states, including California, Washington and Wisconsin, descended on Franklin Creek, seeking to engage in pickle warfare. About one quarter of the entrants were Landings Club members, and seventy years separated the youngest player from the eldest.
Friday was supposed to be the day for Men’s Singles and Women’s Doubles. Supposed to be, until rain interfered in the schedule. In the women’s event, fifty-eight teams were slated to play in eight categories arranged by age and skill level. Because of the rain, only one category was able to finish. Bianca Rodriques Eichholz, playing with Anne Brooks, won gold in the 3.0, 30+ category. Women’s Doubles was cancelled.
Men’s Singles managed to get more games in, but several were cancelled due to the rain. Fifty-five players battled it out in five categories. Of the twelve medals awarded, Jim Dwyer was the only Landings Club member to win one. Jim took bronze in the 3.5, 60+ category.
Day two of the tournament was supposed to be the mixed doubles events, but as Mother Nature continued her tirade, play was halted and most of the afternoon events were cancelled. Of the thirteen brackets that were scheduled to play, twenty-one medals were awarded in seven categories before play was stopped. Amy Paderewski and Scott McKessy, as well as Kristen Berger and Chris Philips won gold in their respective categories. Claudia Gaughf and Rich Nielson won silver, as did Courtney Geary, Ben Lockshin, Peter Dorward and Krista Poppell. Bronze was taken by AJ Goldman playing with Barbara Duff, and Leslie Medinger playing with Daniel Klugman. Chris Poppell playing with Nora Burke also won a bronze.
Once again, rain threatened when dawn broke on Sunday. Fortunately, Mother Nature, who must have slept off her hangover never got around to hurling more rain at the courts. It did, however, take until close to noon before the courts were dry enough for play. The always popular Men’s Doubles took to the courts. By the time the last scores were entered, it was clear the Landings Club men had done well.
Golds were won by Wayne Pero, Rick Nielson, AJ Goldman, Scott McKessy (who won gold in two categories) and Max Lemaigre. Benny Eichholtz, playing with James Yablecki, Henry Scheer, Einar Andersen, Chris Poppell, Chris Phillips, Chas Ferrelle and Johnny Moran won silver. Ben Lockshin, Patrick Burke, Lance Burgstiner, Patrick May, Ryan Meyers, Billy McClintosh, Jon Wolfe and Chet Porter all won bronze.
As the weekend drew to a close, Mother Nature proved unwilling to kill the whole tournament. The pickleball was terrific and spectators got their money’s worth. Now on to The Club Men’s and Women’s Doubles Championships next weekend.