Special to the News-Sun
SEBRING - The purpose of the Heartland Games for Active Adults, coordinated by South Florida State College, is to promote physical fitness, good health, and a competitive spirit among those seniors who live active lifestyles and to inspire those who may not.
The games are sanctioned by the Florida Sports Charitable Foundation and serve as a local qualifying event for the Florida State Games.
The Tanglewood Pickleball Club is pleased to be hosting the Heartland Games for Active Adults for the 6th year.
The Tanglewood club was founded in 2008 and currently has 136 active members.
Tanglewood Pickleballers recently hosted the "Winter Classic Pickleball Tournament" and are pleased, once again, to have the opportunity to showcase the Tanglewood facilities and the ever improving skill levels of the members.
To register, contact Lauren Redick, SFSC Community Education at 784-7388 or e-mail CommunityEducation@southflorida.edu.
The Registration deadline is February 22.
Men's and ladies' doubles will be played on Friday, March 15, with mixed doubles taking to the courts on Saturday, March 16.
This is an age category event not a rated tournament where players compete against others of similar ability regardless of age.
The age categories are: 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74 and 75+.
Pickleball is well suited to seniors with a court that is much smaller than a tennis court.
The sport has really caught on and has spread like wildfire across the continent with facilities being set up both indoors and outdoors.
Tanglewood players compete in several leagues here in the park.
As well, there is a Tanglewood travelling team which recently played at Del Webb in Haines City where they earned 62 of a possible 67 points.
The travelling team hosted Lake Ashton on Saturday, Jan 26, visit Riverbend in LaBelle on Monday, Jan 28, then compete against Highlands Ridge in February.
On March 3, Tanglewood will host the final "shootout" with the teams from Del Webb, Lake Ashton, Riverbend and Highlands Ridge.
Saturday, January 26, 2013 - www.newssun.com/SUN-1-27-13-Pickleball