Quail Creek Pickleball Club
October 2026 Newsletter
Welcome!
Gail Gary
Lisa Allen
Joe Taylor
Sherill Taylor
Susan Lindahl
Lowell Hochstein
Jeanne McIntosh
Larry Hernandez
Theresa Ellis
Due to high winds the Volunteer Recruiting and Pickleball RX Demo Day has been moved to October 31st, 10am-noon, at the Lower Ramada
Volunteer!
QCPC is looking for volunteers to expand our learning and playing offerings. We are asking for about 2 hours per month of your time. We have volunteer opportunities in Player Development, Events, Membership Ambassadors and Scheduled Play leaders. Please come by the Upper Ramada to speak with our chairpersons about these fun opportunities.
Demo a Paddle!
QCPC is excited to host PickleballRX, Tucson's newest pickleball store, for a Paddle Demo Day. Players of all skill levels are welcome to come down to the courts and demo the latest paddles. Paddles, shoes and bags will be available to order at the event.
The team at PickleballRX is excited to be here and meet our members.
These are two new events QCPC has put together for our members. Come down and join us!
QCPC Events
Get Ready for Fun On and Off the Courts!
As our seasonal members begin returning, we’re kicking off the season with plenty of opportunities to play, socialize, and have fun!
November 21st, 2:00–4:00 PM - Dink & Drinks
Join us for an afternoon of pickleball fun, followed by a finger-food potluck and BYOB! We’ll be using Rally Play Round Robins, mixing players across skill levels: 2.5/3.0, 3.0/3.5, and 3.5/4.0+.
Never heard of Rally Play? No problem! Come on down, give it a try, and learn a slightly different—and fun—way to play and score.
December — Pickleball & Football
During December, we’ll gather for Open Play at the courts in the lower ramada, with members enjoying pickleball, good company, and some football watching. Come play a few games, stay for the fun, and enjoy the camaraderie!
January — Round Robin & Pizza
As most of our snowbird friends have returned by January, we’ll get together for a social round robin, followed by pizza at Horizons. It’s a great way to keep the fun going and enjoy some time together off the courts.
February — The Pickle Ball & Pickleball Rodeo
February is our month to celebrate with The Pickle Ball! We’ll gather in the Ballroom for an evening of dinner, music, dancing, and fun. Bring your significant other and join us for some socializing off the courts!
We’ll also be hosting a Pickleball Rodeo in February, so be ready for some additional fun and friendly competition.
Keep an eye on the monthly newsletters and CourtReserve/GroupSpot announcements for additional details and information as each event gets closer.
We’re looking forward to a great season of pickleball, friendship, and fun!
Our first Event of the new season!
Dinks and Drinks
November 21st from 2-4 pm
We will change up play with rally scoring and round robins of 2.5/3.0, 3.0/3.5, and 3.5/4.0+. Volunteers will be available to help with play and scoring.
Register on CourtReserve starting October 21st at 7am.
Bring some finger foods to share with everyone. Bring your own booze. Nonalcoholic drinks will be provided.
Join us and warm up for the new season!
Player Development
Level Up Your Game: Introducing Small-Group Private Clinics from Player Development
Whether you are looking to dial in your third-shot drops, master court positioning, or clean up your serve returns, the Player Development Group is excited to announce a brand-new training resource for our club members: Custom Small-Group Private Clinics!
These tailored sessions bring targeted coaching directly to you and your playing partners, offering focused, hands-on instruction right on your reserved courts.
How the Small-Group Clinics Work
Designed for small groups of 4 to 10 players, these personalized clinics will be 20-50 minutes and offer an ideal environment to break down specific mechanics and strategies without the crowd of a large general workshop. Best if the players in your group are all at similar skill levels.
Here is the step-by-step process to get your session set up:
1. Reserve Your Court: First, reserve your court using court reserve just as you normally would.
2. Contact Player Development: Once your reservation is confirmed, send an email to the Player Development Group with your court details and your contact information. Email: qcpcplayerdevelop@gmail.com
3. Specify Your Goals: In your email, let us know the date and time of the court reservation and specific skills, tactical scenarios, or mechanics you want to focus on (e.g., transition zone resetting, aggressive kitchen play, or serve placement, etc).
4. Get Coached: Player Development will assign a dedicated volunteer instructor to meet your group on your reserved court at your scheduled time to run the clinic.
At a Glance
Group Size: 3 to 10 players
Location: On your reserved club court
Instruction: Run by a Player Development volunteer
Curriculum: Customized to the specific skill or strategy your group requests
Whether you have a regular foursome looking to sharpen your competitive edge or a small group working through a specific plateau, these clinics offer the deliberate, feedback-driven practice needed to elevate your play.
Ready to get started? Book your court, gather your group, and drop an email to the Player Development team to set up your custom clinic
OCT/NOV 2026 “Q-TIPS”
From Gary Quantz, your USA/PPR Certified Instructor
Hope everyone had a wonderful summer. I was up in the Pacific NW for my annual snowbird trip hanging with family and friends and even got in a bit of pickleball (check out my photos).
The start of my sixth season began the week of October 5 – 9. It was great to see some of you past students and I also can’t wait to meet the “newbies”. If you are new to our QCPC and/or need a refresher”, want help to improve your game, or prepare for APPL, give my classes a try.
While up in Washington, I got to play on the “hallowed grounds” of Founders Courts, Bainbridge Island, WA, near the location where pickleball was first invented. A beautiful and historic park for pickleball fans!
My brother and I won the first annual “Quantz Family & Friends” Tournament. Had a blast putting it together with my daughters plus it was great to beat the “youngsters”. We were definitely the oldest team, NOT the most athletic or fastest but we played the best pickleball to earn the title! OLD GUYS RULE! Hope we’re ready to compete for the title again next summer!REGULAR DRILL CLASSES
Students sign up on our QCPC Court Reserve Website (first come/first serve on a weekly basis). Maximum 8 students per class. Cost: $20pp / 90-minutes – No online prepayment available (pay cash, check, or Venmo at the start of each class). Check weekly schedule for availability (some classes not available during holiday breaks or when I’m out of town).
2.0 LEVEL CLASSES
(2.0 Level students must pass our QCPC Beginners clinic or have instructor approval)
Held every Friday, 10am to 11:30am – Courts #13 & #14*
2.5 LEVEL CLASSES
Held every Monday, 10am to 11:30am – Courts #13 & #14*
3.0 LEVEL CLASSES
Held every Wednesday, 10am to 11:30am – Courts #13 & #14*
3.5 LEVEL CLASSES
Held every Tuesday, 10am to 11:30am – Courts #13 & #14*
* Except on court cleaning/maintenance/special events dates. Check CourtReserve for adjustments.
PRIVATE LESSONS
Private Lessons are NOT available for signups on our QCPC Court Reserve website. Please contact Gary directly for weekly availability and enrollment (email or text GQPickleball@gmail.com or 206-948-4457). Tell me what you want to work on for you individually or with a group of 4 or less (1 to 4 students per private class only). Choice of 60- or 90-minute lessons. COST = 60-minutes/$20pp, 90-minutes/$25pp.
I offer one-on-one, “couples or doubles”, “3 and Me” play, or foursomes wanting to improve their overall game or work on a specific shot/drill. I also can help you prep for an IPTPA test or teach strategies to help with a future APPL or tournament. Classes held on COURT #13 (except on court cleaning/maintenance/special event dates).
Subject to changes, but my current PRIVATE lesson schedule availability will be every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, starting at 11:30am – Thursdays start at 10am (some dates not available during holiday breaks or when I’m out of town).
SPECIAL HOLIDAY OFFERS!
For the coming months of NOVEMBER and DECEMBER, I’m going to offer TWO special discounted lesson deals for qualifying Quail Creek Pickleball members.
SPECIAL OFFER #1: For those loyal students that have taken TEN (10) or more classes from me since the 2021/2022 season, I’ll offer a 50% price discount for the month of NOVEMBER & DECEMBER. My $20 per person fee will be reduced to $10 to all those that qualify. (Club members who are eligible will be based on review of my yearly class rosters to qualify).
SPECIAL OFFER #2: For any club member that has never taken one of my classes before, I’ll offer a 50% price discount on ONE (1) REGULAR 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, or 3.5 Level class taken anytime during the month of NOVEMBER and another 50% price discount on ONE (1) REGULAR 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, or 3.5 Level class taken anytime during the month of DECEMBER.
NOTE: Special Holiday Offers do not include PRIVATE or “KLINICS with KATHY” classes. Contact Gary Quantz for further information to see if you qualify (gqpickleball@gmail.com or text (206) 948-4457). To register for a REGULAR level class, you must go to our Quail Creek Court Reserve website for signups. Classes are filled on a first come, first serve basis when registration is open at 9pm seven days in advance. Prospective students MUST register for the class level that fits their playing ability and experience.
Scheduled Play
Open Play: Is available daily during primetime. See court reserve for court assignments typically on upper courts. Play is paddle saddle format, so come early/come late. Play as few or as many games as you want. Courts are divided into Novice, Intermediate and Advanced courts. No rating required. Play where you fit best. Wednesday is our open Round Robin. Preregistration not required but please come 20 minutes early to check in. Spots are first come first filled. Lots of fun!
Organized Play: Has added some new events. We have a mixed doubles on Sundays, a Singles on Tuesdays and a Women’s only court on Tuesdays as well. Also, MLPlay as been renamed to Rally play. Same fun format as before but the name just reflects more of the concepts that we have taken from various styles of play including, but not inclusive of MLP. Come check it out!
In addition, you may now register for a total of 3 scheduled play events regardless of in prime time or not. Please, however, if you register and cannot attend, make sure to remove yourself from the event so that others can participate.
Thank you to all our volunteers who make these events possible!
More New Things To Try
Full and Half Court Singles
This Tuesday the 20th will kick off a weekly organized round robin event for full and half court singles on the lower courts 27 & 28 from 8-10am.
If you are a strong 3.0+ player and would like to give it a try, sign up on court reserve. Play schedule will be set up so that playing 2 games in a row is minimized.
New Round Robin Sheets
Bill Gravelle (with the help of AI) developed some new round robin sheets for members to use. Organized Play coordinators have been testing them. Try them out and let us know if you find any problems or have any suggestions.
You can find the link for them on CourtReserve under Resources/New RR Sheets.
Thank you Bill and coordinators!
Drops and Pops with the Board
October 26th - January 26th - March 23 - May 25
This is a new event that will be replacing the "Coffee with the Board" get-togethers.
Roughly every other month, starting in October, come join the Board to play Pickleball in an Open Round Robin format. BYOB afterwards and we'll be available to discuss QCPC related topics.
Round Robin will be for 90 minutes followed by BYOB & Discussion for 30 minutes ... or longer.
These Events will be held from 2:00PM - 4:00PM at the Upper Ramada and Courts. Please sign up through Court Reserve so we have an idea of how many players to accommodate.
3.0 APPL Teams
3.0 Players: Ready for Some Competition?
Are you a 3.0 player (self-rated or rated) interested in taking your game beyond regular QC play?
QCPC is encouraging participation in the Arizona Pickleball Players League (APPL) for the 2027 season. APPL provides organized team competition against players from other Southern Arizona communities.
I’m looking for interested 3.0 players to explore potential Quail Creek teams for the January–March 2027season. And there’s already momentum! After talking with many QC players (men and women) over the Summer, I’m finding growing interest in trying league play.
Men’s • Women’s • Mixed • 50+ • 65+
Never played league pickleball? No problem. You don’t need APPL experience — just an interest in more competitive play and being part of a team.
I’m planning an informational meeting in late October, in person and virtual, to explain how APPL works, answer questions and determine which teams we can form. Interested? There’s no commitment.
CLICK HERE to add your name to the QC 3.0 interest list and receive information about the October meeting.
Let’s put some Quail Creek teams on the courts in 2027 and have fun!
Court Reservations for Arizona Pickleball Players League (APPL) Play
QCPC will reserve courts and the adjacent ramada for Quail Creek APPL teams to play matches if at least 60% of team members are QCPC members. APPL team practice courts will be reserved by the team in accordance with the guest policy. APPL team matches will be held outside of primetime. QCPC may limit the days, times, and courts available for APPL matches based on QCPC activities and other considerations.
QCPC Policies and Procedures for APPL Guests
Visiting Players in the Arizona Pickleball Players League, Intercommunity Play, and Other Approved Tournaments/Events Open to Non-Residents
a. Must sign the QCPOA Waiver (as modified for league play, tournaments, and other approved events)
Instructions for completing this form:
i. The QCPC team captain or organizer/sponsor of the approved event should print out this form (posted on CourtReserve under the Resources tab) or find it in the folder at the ramada and bring it to the event.
ii. The QCPC team captain or organizer/sponsor of the approved event should obtain the signature of every guest participant prior to the start of play.
iii. The QCPC team captain or organizer/sponsor of the approved event should place the signed QCPOA waiver in the folder at the ramada for the membership chair or send the signed QCPOA Waiver to MembershipQCPC@gmail.com.
b. The QCPC Scheduled Play chair must send an email to QCPOA Member Services and Security with the date and time of these events.
Next DUPR Day
November 10th, 8-10am, skill levels 2.5, 3.0, 3.5 and 4.0+
Sign up under Events in CourtReserve
This is a round robin event and scores will be posted in DUPR soon after play is complete.
All players must sign up for a free DUPR account and join the Quail Creek Pickleball Club in DUPR before play begins.
Instructions for signing up for DUPR and joining the club can be found under the Resources tab on CourtReserve.
Contact Michael Myers at mtmyers68@gmail.com if you have any questions or issues.
Click here for more information on DUPR https://www.dupr.com
Next Pickleball Machine Trainings
Fri, Oct 30th, 11am-1pm, Court 4
Mon, Nov 9th, 1pm-3pm, Court 4
Sat, Nov 28th, 11am-1pm, Court 4
Sign up for a training session on CourtReserve/Events/Categories/PB Machine Training.
During the session, you will go through safety protocols, how to reserve the machine, and use and care of the machine.
Questions? Text Lauren Miene at 507-458-8329 or Susan Popp at 503-329-3261.
To use the pickleball machine or be on the court with the machine, whether using or not, you must be a Quail Creek Pickleball Club member, receive the pickleball machine training, and sign a waiver. Please do not be on the court with the machine at all if you have not gone through the training, even to just help pick up balls.
QCPOA replacing frayed nets
on the pickleball courts.
Thank you!
With the courts getting busier, a couple reminders concerning guests and court limits.
Guest Policies
All guests must register with Member Services and obtain a guest card; they must be accompanied by their QC host and have their guest card in possession.
During prime time:
registered house guests and nonmember residents may play in Open Play only. They may not play in private or QCPC organized groups.
registered outside guests may play in private groups with the limit of 1 per playing group.
Guests and nonmember residents may not play in QCPC events that require membership (ex. Organized Play, Player Development, QCPC Events) unless there is an exemption for the event approved by the QCPC Board.
Court Reservation Limits
During prime time members may reserve 2 courts 7 days before. If there is an empty court 4 days before they may reserve 1 more court for a total of 3 courts during prime time.
Outside of prime time members may reserve 4 courts 7 days before. If there are empty courts 4 days before they may reserve 2 more courts for a total of 6 courts outside of prime time.
Only QCPC members may reserve courts during prime time.
Any court reservation that will not be used due to a change of plans for any reason should be deleted as far in advance as possible so that others may reserve and use the court.
Next Board Meeting
November 10th
4:30pm
Silver Room
Next Member Meeting
November 18th
2:00pm
Mesquite/Ocotillo Rooms
Meeting agendas are posted on CourtReserve Announcements 4 days prior to the meeting.
Court Cleaning
Videos are provided for information or entertainment purposes only.
QCPC does not endorse any product or service displayed or promoted.