Pickleball marathon begins today
By Steve Herring
Published in News on December 31, 2016 9:54 AM
Full Size
File photo
Will Shearin, left, and Josh Phillips play pickleball in April. A pickleball marathon will be held today beginning at 4 p.m. at Herman Park Center.
Instead of bringing in the new year watching a falling giant acorn or big apple, some people in Wayne County will welcome 2017 by playing pickleball.
The pickleball marathon to be played from 4 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Dec. 31, at Herman Park Center.
It is the second year a New Year's Eve pickleball marathon has been held, and as of Wednesday 24 people had signed up.
About 25 people participated last year, but the group did not make it all the way to midnight.
"A lot of people said, 'We are too old. We don't want to play until midnight,'" said Susan Moneypenny, USA Pickleball Association Ambassador, Wayne County. "So we played until I think 9 p.m. because it was taking so long (between games).
"I know some people will go home before midnight, but we have diehards who will be there until midnight. I will play as long as someone is playing. I can guarantee that. I just like to play that much. We have a couple of young folks. I mean it is not all old people who come out."
Ms. Moneypenny said she came up with the idea for a marathon because she is always looking for any extra playing time and for ways to promote the sport.
The pickleball court it is 44 feet by 20 fee. The game is played with a paddle and plastic ball with holes in it.
The game incorporates elements of pingpong, tennis and badminton.
Games take 8 to 10 minutes, but with only one court at Herman Park Center there can be a long time between games, she said.
"Also, we intend to set up the pingpong table for those who want to challenge themselves and others while waiting to play pickleball," she said.
It is not a formal tournament, but more of a time to socialize, she said.
"Goldsboro is much more social than competitive," she said. 'Up here in Cary (where she was playing at the time of the interview) it is crazy how competitive it is. But they have been playing like for five year or more.
"It is a relatively new sport in Wayne County. Saturday is going to pretty much be just a social time, and people get to play pickleball. We don't mind if people come out who have never played before, but that is probably not the best time to come just because you have to wait so long to get on the court."
While the public is welcome to stop by and watch, anyone planning to play is asked to register.
Between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. is the best time for novice or first-time players, she said.
People who sign up are being asked to bring a covered dish for a potluck supper.
"There is always enough food to last through the evening," she said.
Like last year, anyone playing from 6 p.m. or later Saturday will be asked to make a "moderate" cash donation of $5 per person or $15 maximum per family that will help cover expenses, Ms. Moneypenny said.