Franklin Creek was a busy place last week. So busy that parking spilled out onto Franklin Creek Drive and Landings Way, highlighting the need for additional spaces. As usual, the pickleball courts were crowded, but the real draw was the Savannah Challenger, the annual tennis tournament sponsored by St. Josephs/Candler and hosted by The Landings Club since 2009. After a week of often exciting and intense play, it was down to Alexander Ritschard and Andrés Andrade. Ritschard won 6-2/6-4 and returned home $11,200 wealthier. He joins the ever-volatile Nick Kygrios and pickleball convert Jack Sock as a Savannah Challenger champion.
Almost lost in the excitement were the LPA League pickleball championships, which were played on Thursday night. As a reminder, the LPA (Landings Pickleball Association) is a DUPR based rating organization. The LPA has spring and fall sessions, which are separated by weekly ladder play. The idea behind the format is to promote competitive play, while helping players raise their DUPR ratings. The LPA operates separately from the Tuesday Night League, which is sponsored and run by the Franklin Creek professionals.
LPA League play is divided into three separate divisions - Premier, Challenger and Major – based on player DUPR rating. There are four teams in each division that are chosen by draft at the beginning of every season. Ninety-two players entered the draft and sixty-two were assigned to teams. The thirty who were not drafted are used as substitutes when needed. Each season has six weeks of league play, followed by a playoff week and the championship round. The winners in each division receive a $50 credit that is applied to purchases at the Franklin Creek Pro Shop. Anyone who wants to play in the LPA can email Charlie Bradford – ccbford64@gmail.com – for additional information.
According to LPA founder and current chairman, Charlie Bradford, “Play was fierce and competitive, but only one team from each division can win.” Led by captain Johnny Moran, the Premier League winners included Scott McKessy, Krista Poppell, AJ Goldman, Max Braun and Einar Andersen. The Challenger Division was won by Bill Jaques, Glen Peschken, Lisa Tocci, Ricky Dudley, Jon Wolfe and captain, Charlie Bradford. Sharon Rowlett is captain of the Major Division. Her winning team included Tim Dorian, Chad Curry, Corey Fountain, Alexis Chesney and Spencer Wheeler. Congratulations to all!
The Premier Division Winners
The Challenger Division Winners
The Major Division Winners
The LPA League championships weren’t the only important things happening in the pickle world this week. In case you missed the report, like Taylor Swift, award winning pop star Billie Eilish is a pickler. If that doesn’t entice the uninitiated to try pickleball, I can’t imagine what will. In the throwing it all away for a dream category, it was reported that Meat & Cheese Restaurant and Farm Shop, one of Aspen’s favorite haunts is closing so that owner, Wendy Mitchell, can focus on pickleball. The ensuing panic was quickly extinguished when it was reported that the restaurant would stay open under new management. And so it goes….