Kingman Pickleball Club members enjoy play last Saturday at Centennial Park in Kingman. Photo by Dave Hawkins
KINGMAN – The Kingman Pickleball Club (KPC) is thriving. Members used a small space along Beale St. during First Friday last weekend to demonstrate and offer the public a glimpse of a sport that continues gaining popularity all across America.
“It’s an addiction,” said KPC member Blessie Potokar. “Once you get into pickleball, that’s it. I love the game. It’s good for your health. Everyday this is my workout.”
For Potokar, and many other club members, pickleball becomes a lifestyle. After all, “Peace, Love, Pickleball” is the motto displayed on KPC business cards.
“With this Kingman club I’m able to see a lot of people, meet people and enjoy socializing,” she said. “It’s just awesome that we have this in Kingman.”
KPC President Beth Ferry recalls that many locals began playing years ago when the City first offered pickleball on a makeshift course at Palo Christ Elementary School before play shifted to the basketball courts at Centennial Park. Then came COVID.
Ferry said pickleball rebounded post pandemic and that the KPC was established in July, 2022.
“We needed 25 members to become affiliated with the USA Pickleball Association, so we said let’s ty it and see if we can get that,” Ferry said. “And we’ve grown each year to about 130 members today.”
Ferry is hooked as well.
“It’s just that kind of game that you just say ‘Oh my God, this is so much fun,'” she said.
The public is welcome to check out some pickleball at Centennial Park this weekend as the KPC conducts a memorial tournament to celebrate member Elaine Vashaw, who recently passed away.
“Our goal is to honor her with a memorial bench,” Ferry said. “So, we said let’s play for Elaine. We have the tournament this Saturday and all the proceeds go toward that bench.”
The KPC begins its third year in July, when the annual enrollment window opens. Ferry said anyone interested can learn more about the KPC on the club website.
“They can google Kingman Pickleball Club and it pulls up our website right away, and it has all kinds of information,” Ferry said. Or visit (https://k-pic.org).
Dave Hawkins
