QCPC Newsletter

January 2026

Welcome New Members!

Terry Hasson

Chuck Robinson

Diane Durgin

Cathy Liska

Cynthia Bedient

Pete Liska

Susan Avni

Sunny Mavor

Doug Mavor

George Cline

Deann Holtz

Theresa Lewis

Rebecca Gearing

Howard Dworsky

Jill Shea

Michelle Graham

Ron Graham

Lynn Vanderhorck

Mark Vanderhorck

Kurtis Okelly

Itay Avni

Jon Jeffries

Robert Steckley

Janet McDermitt

Tammra Okelly

Marlene Salzer

Jim Salzer

Jeff Carson

Marianne Weinzinger

Aaron Krauter

Cindy Krauter

Kurt Jeffreys

Bill Gravelle

Quail Creek Pickleball for Parkinson’s

The Quail Creek Pickleball for Parkinson’s group is looking for Quail Creek residents with Parkinson’s and their care partners to join us for 1 ½ hour sessions twice a week.

The sessions include social time where we exchange personal information about family and social experiences, local medical and therapeutic providers as well as discussing research and emerging technologies. After stretching and warmup we spend the remaining time playing full court and modified pickleball. Volunteers assist us as well.

We currently play Tuesday and Friday mornings at 9:00am.

If you are interested, please contact Don Armour at donaldbjarmour@gmail.com or by phone at 303-257-9126.

Carvana Mesa Cup

Due to significant admission cost increases, the Club will not organize an event to attend the Carvana Mesa Cup.

There is a 20% discount available to the first 20 club members if they use the code QCPC20 when buying tickets online.

https://www.tixr.com/groups/ppa/events/ppa-mesa-158103

Response To Questions From Members About Guests Playing In QCPC Events

Guests are allowed to play in Open Play.

Guests are allowed to play in private court reservations made by a Quail Creek resident, with a maximum of one guest per playing group during prime time.

Guests are not allowed to play in QCPC events, such as Scheduled Play, Player Development activities and social events, where QCPC membership is required.

Cancel From Events the Day Before, Not the Morning Of

Some CourtReserve events that require registration have been having trouble with people not canceling far enough ahead of time for others to be moved up from the waitlist or for the event organizer to adjust.

If you need to cancel from an event that you have signed up for do so the day before. Unless it’s an emergency, do not wait until the morning of as that does not allow enough time.

Please be considerate of other members and the volunteers organizing events so that further steps do not have to be taken to address this problem.

Music on the Courts Policy Edit

Playing music on QC courts (except for Club-sponsored social events) is neither prohibited nor encouraged.  However, members wishing to play music should be considerate of other Club members on the courts.  Factors to consider include court location, speaker volume and placement, time of day, nearby lessons, drills, or clinics, and other players and people in the vicinity. Music must be played at a volume that is acceptable to all players on your court and surrounding courts, and the speaker must be on the court with the person playing the music.

🤍

🤍

New Stop Sign

A stop sign to help with traffic safety from the lower courts to the upper courts has arrived and will be installed.

New Benches

New benches were purchased for the lower courts by QCPC and QCPOA.

New Brooms and Squeegees

Brooms and squeegees are now placed near upper courts for easy access and return. Please return them to their spots on the fences so everyone knows where they are. Do not leave them on the courts or the ground.

🤍

🤍

SAVE THE DATE

Heartbreaker in the Kitchen Pickleball Social

February 14 from 10am to 12pm

Join us after play in the lower Ramada for prizes, sub sandwiches, chips and heart cookies!

Cost is $5 for lunch. Reserve lunch when you register and pay when you check-in. Cash only.

Congratulations Waid Reynolds

Holiday Cheer and Beer Social

Chili Cook Off Champion

Notices From Scheduled Play

Winter League

Unfortunately, we did not have enough registered to conduct a winter league this year. Thank you to those who did register. We will try again next year.  

Organized Play

January is here and with it we are seeing a huge increase in registrations for our organized play events. Please, if you cannot attend, kindly withdraw as early as possible to allow for members on the waitlist to move up and be notified. Also, a friendly reminder to register for only one event in Prime Time.  Thank you!

Open Play

Reminder that Open Play (saddles up) is available every day at 9 am -11 am, with some days offering extended play hours until noon (see CourtReserve for hours). The only exception is Wednesday with the Open Play Round Robin requiring in-person registration at 8:45 and is limited to the first 35 registrants. Late registrations may not be accepted.

Evening/Afternoon Play

If anyone is wanting to start an evening/afternoon group, please let me know. We have plenty of courts available. The weather has been great, and the lower courts are not so windy.

 Open Matches

Want to play but don’t want to commit to a group? Instructions on creating and finding open matches can be found on CourtReserve under the Resources tab.

(thank you Fred Baum)

Q-TIPS

(Mid-January/Early-February 2026 Edition)

 Welcome to PEAK SEASON! Now that our snowbirds and renters are back, the majority of our courts during these next several months will be filled during Prime-Time hours. APPL play is also in full swing so come out and cheer on our teams when home games are played. Added to our current participation numbers are the new members signing up and taking beginner to intermediate classes. Our club offers a variety of lessons and classes to help improve your game so take advantage while the season is in full swing!

Q-TIP: Even if you are new, not fleet of foot, a little bit intimidated, or just don’t know what to do when you get up there – PLAY UP AT THE NVZ! It’s like the “high dive” mentality; a bit scary at first but once you take the plunge, you’ll start to get comfortable and learn how/when to properly dink, punch/block volley, counter attack along with learning how to move together, cover properly, and where best to place your shots. By constantly staying back, all you do is play defense (especially when your opponent’s come up and play up at the NVZ) and you’ll never, ever learn how to play pickleball properly. Signing up for lessons will help you sooner than later achieve your comfort and experience level playing up at the NVZ.

GQ PICKLEBALL JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026 CLASS SCHEDULE 

REGULAR DRILL CLASSES (2.0, 2.5, 3.0 Level)

Students sign up on QCPC Court Reserve website (first come/first serve on a weekly basis). Max 8 students per class – No online prepayment available. Pay cash, check, or Venmo @GQPickleball at the start of each class. COST: $20pp / COURTS: #13 & #14 (except on court cleaning dates)

·      2.5 LEVEL CLASSES = Mondays, 11am to 12:30pm – Courts #13 and #14 

·      3.0 LEVEL CLASSES = Wednesdays, 11am to 12:30pm – Courts #13 and #14

·      *2.0 LEVEL CLASSES = Fridays, 11am to 12:30pm – Courts #13 and #14

*2.0 Level must pass our QCPC Beginners clinic or have instructor approval

3.5 Level Clinics with Kathy Palese

GQ PICKLEBALL offers a joint teaching experience for 3.5 Level players on Thursdays with special guest instructor Kathy Palese. These very popular classes often fill weekly. With her numerous tournament and coaching experience, she will help you succeed in becoming a more knowledgeable and competitive player. Students sign up on our Court Reserve website (first come/first serve on a weekly basis). No online prepayment available (pay cash, check, or Venmo at the start of each clinic). Two classes offered per date / MAX: 8 TO 12 students (depending upon court availability) CLASS COST: $25 / 90 minutes.    COURTS: #13 and #14(except on court cleaning dates or if classes are expanded to 12 students). 

SNAP 3.5 CLINICS = Thursdays, 11am to 12:30pm and 1pm to 2:30pm  

GQ PICKLEBALL PRIVATE LESSON SCHEDULE

(All Playing Levels*)

*Brand new or beginners must first pass our QCPC Intro to Pickleball Clinic or have instructor approval prior to requesting a private lesson. Private lessons are NOT available for signups on our QCPC Court Reserve website. Contact Gary directly for availability and assignment via text 206-948-4457 or email GQPickleball@gmail.com 1 to 4 students per private class only. Classes are held on COURT #13 (except on court cleaning dates).

COST: Cash, check, or Venmo due at start of class:

·      60-minute Class Cost = $20 per student (4 MAX)

·      90-minute Class Cost = $25 per student (4 MAX)

Arizona Pickleball Players League (APPL) Team Competition

Quail Creek has 3 teams participating

Check CourtReserve/Events/Categories/APPL for current information.

Bring a mat or towel to use chairs on viewing courts.

Spectators may not help with line calls or other judgement.

Cheering both sides for good play is encouraged!

Players have worked hard to prepare and have shown courage to participate , so come to the courts and give them some

CLASSES AT ANZA

🖤

CLASSES AT ANZA 🖤

In Case of Emergency

Add the Pickleball Court Ramada addresses to your phone contact list:  1461 E Quail Crossing Blvd. 

If you have to call 911 then you have it for the emergency dispatcher.

Consider carrying an emergency information card for yourself.

First Aid Kit and AED

In the women's restroom at both Ramadas.

Click here to watch a demonstration video for the AED:  https://youtu.be/PaxwHxEuiN8

Click on image to enlarge/download.

The new adaptive standing division rules: What they are and why they were necessary

One of the biggest 2026 additions is the structure around adaptive play, including a formal adaptive standing division and clearer rules for wheelchair play and hybrid formats. 

What is the adaptive standing division?

The adaptive standing division is a recognized division for players who compete standing but have a permanent physical disability that significantly affects mobility, balance, or coordination.

Why it was needed: Before a formal division, tournaments and players were often left improvising:

· Who is eligible?

· What accommodations are fair without changing the spirit of the game?

· How do tournaments handle mixed-ability partners or opponents?

This new structure gives players, refs, and tournament directors a clearer, consistent standard. 

1) Eligibility: Who qualifies (and how it can be verified)

The rules outline that eligible players have a permanent disability impacting mobility, balance, or coordination, such as limb difference or amputation, cerebral palsy, stroke, neurological conditions, and other orthopedic and neurologic limitations.

Verification can include:

· Self-assessment, and/or

· For sanctioned tournaments, physician documentation that becomes part of a player’s record.

2) Assistive devices

Players may use devices like prosthetics, orthotics, braces, crutches, or canes, and the rules clarify how they interact with common fault situations:

· If a device contacts the non-volley zone during a volley → fault.

· If a device touches outside the serving area during service → fault.

· If a device contacts a live ball → dead ball/rally ends.

3) The two-bounce allowance option 

This rule states that players with significant impairments that impact balance or mobility may allow the ball to bounce twice before returning it. 

Who it’s for:

Adaptive standing players with significant mobility or balance limitations, such as individuals with above-knee amputations or certain neurological conditions. The rules emphasize: if there’s doubt about eligibility, don’t use it.

How it works:

· The adaptive player may allow two bounces before returning.

· The second bounce can be anywhere on the playing surface.

· The player must return it before a third bounce.

· Use must be declared before the match (and may require a visible marker in some events).

4) Hybrid play: Mixed-ability doubles with clear boundaries

Adaptive standing players may also compete in mixed-ability doubles, with a key fairness safeguard:

· The two-bounce allowance applies only to the eligible adaptive player who declared it.

· Non-eligible players don’t get to “borrow” the accommodation in hybrid play.

This prevents confusion and keeps accommodations targeted to the athlete they’re designed for.

(From Lenny Friedman - Arizona Pickleball Education Ambassador)

Celebration of Life honoring Joyce Butler – a beloved friend, helper, leader and all-around bright spot in our QC Pickleball community.

Joyce was known for stepping up, pitching in, keeping things moving and reminding us (often with humor) not to take ourselves too seriously – even when the score mattered. This gathering will be a time to share stores, laughter and memories that reflect the joy, generosity and spirit she brought to the court and beyond.

            Date: Saturday, January 24
            Time: 1 PM
            Location: Upper Pickleball Ramada

All who knew Joyce are welcome. Please feel free to share a favorite memory or story. Cake will be served along with a beverage to toast her life. Seating is limited so you may want to bring a folding chair.

Next Board Meeting

February 10, 2026

4:30pm, Silver Room

2026 QCPC Meetings Schedule available on CourtReserve under About QCPC/Board Info.

Court Cleaning

2026 Court Cleaning schedule available on CourtReserve under Resources tab and on bulletin boards at the courts.

Videos are provided for information or entertainment purposes only.

QCPC does not endorse any product or service displayed or promoted.