May 2026 Habersham County Pickleball Club
- 5 days ago
- 7 min read
Picklesham Palooza 2026....
is in the books.
From the players who competed with passion and sportsmanship, to the enthusiastic volunteers who gave their time so generously, to the spectators who cheered everyone on — each of you helped make this tournament a tremendous success. There were 139 players, ranging in age from 15-75, who competed in 258 matches over the two-day event - truly a vibrant gathering of pickleball energy and community spirit.
This year, Mother Nature allowed us to play both days outside. The Cattywampusgrill.com Food Truck was onsite and provided some seriously delicious food options. Helen Indoor Pickleball was on site with a great selection of paddles to demo and tempt players and fans to try something new.
Georgia was strongly represented with players joining us from across the state, including 24 cities outside of Habersham County. We also had players from North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, and Tennessee - a testament to the growing reach and reputation of PickleSham Palooza!
One of the things that makes our club so special is the welcoming and supportive atmosphere we continue to build together. Whether you were competing for medals, playing your very first tournament match, or simply encouraging others from the sidelines, you contributed to the energy and spirit that make our events so memorable.
We extend our sincere gratitude to the businesses, individuals, and volunteers whose sponsorships, donations, and time made this event possible. A donation from this year's proceeds will benefit Freedom Hill Recovery Home for Women. We are proud to support this organization.
Capturing the Spirit of PickleSham Palooza 2026 in Photos 2026 Doubles Winners 2026 Mixed Doubles Winners
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Let's Talk DUPR (P1's Quick & Simple Explanation)
Let’s take the mystery (and stress) out of DUPR.
DUPR = your pickleball rating (2.000–8.000) based on match performance & results, opponents’ ratings, and score margins. Most tournaments require it. No rating? You’ll start as NR (not rated) —play a match and you’re in.
Big shift from the old USA Pickleball UTPR system:
It’s no longer just win = up, loss = down.
👉 It’s about performance vs. expectation
Beat expectations → your rating can go up (even in a loss)
Miss expectations → your rating can go down (even in a win)
Example: Expected to win 11–3 but win 11–8? Your rating may drop. Yep… every point matters.
Reliability Score = how legit your rating is
60%+ = solid
Below that = play more
👉 Want a more accurate rating? Play more. Play different people. Mix it up.
Where scores count:
Tournaments
DUPR club/league play
Some rec play (if reported)
New: DUPR Forecast
Shows expected outcomes before you play—then adjusts your rating after based on how you performed.
Bottom line: DUPR doesn’t just reward wins—it rewards how well you play.
And remember: Don’t let a number steal your joy. (also known has "DUPR Stupor"
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School is almost out, which means summer camps are gearing up! The Habersham Parks & Recreation Summer Camp is scheduled from May 26th - June 26th, a break the week of June 29- July 3rd - then resumes until school starts. This means indoor play is only available in the BLUE GYM. Be mindful that court availability will be impacted. Thanks in advance for your patience, flexibility, and good sportsmanship as we share the space this summer.
With school being out for the summer, we’ll be seeing more young people enjoying time on our courts — and we love seeing the next generation getting involved in pickleball!
As a reminder, children under the age of 14 are required to have adult supervision during Club Open Play hours. This helps ensure the safety of all players and keeps our courts a welcoming and enjoyable environment for everyone.
We appreciate everyone’s cooperation and support. Thank you for helping us continue to grow a positive pickleball community!
Helen Indoor Pickleball is offering Summer Youth Pickleball Camps
💥 summer pickleball camps are the best summer activity for elementary, middle, and high school age children and grandchildren!
✅ Age based camps for grades 3-12 foster an encouraging environment of friendly competition, strategic thinking, fitness, confidence, and new friendships all while providing transferrable and essential life skills.
🎓 15 Hours of instruction with our amazing player/coaches.
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Tournament season is upon us. Below are a few you may want to consider......
Battle At the Border Team Challenge: This opportunity is just up the road with our friends from Rabun County. Although not a tournament, it's an opportunity for a one-day competition you might be interested in.
Group Registration link https://forms.gle/d2mJ6Kkk7EtJ27mZ8
Individual Registration link https://forms.gle/19VLrBoiwoicanno7
Classic City Pickleball Summer Slam is a one-day event at the Cresswind Twin Lakes courts on June 6th. Registration closes May 30th at 11:55 am. Register at this link: CCP Summer Slam
The Apple Capital Paddle Battle in beautiful Ellijay, Georgia. This one is July 10th-11th, but don't sweat it - this is one is indoors! All proceeds will benefit Victory Christian Center youth recreation programs. Register at: 2026 Apple Capital Paddle Battle (INDOORS/FULL AC, Ellijay, GA)
Jammin for Joy is one of the largest and best ran tournaments in Georgia.
Already nearly 400 registrants - which shows the popularity of this event - which also supports a great charity - The Joy House - The Joy House provides Christ-centered restorative care for struggling teens, families and individuals. Find a partner and get registered today. https://pickleballtournaments.com/tournaments/jammin-for-joy-2026
If you’re planning to compete in a tournament, please let us know. We’d love for the club to be aware when members are playing in the same event so we can support and cheer each other on throughout the season.
And of course — if you make it to the podium, we want to celebrate with you! Please send your podium pictures to Brian Farrington at briansfarrington@gmail.com or P1 at Peggy1pickleball@gmail.com so we can recognize your accomplishments on social media.
Good luck to everyone competing this season — play hard, have fun, and represent the club proudly. Don't forget the tent and banner availability if a large group is going to be gathering. AND, if you don't have a Hab Club Shirt - go to the SHOP tab of the website or contact Marva Griffith: marvagriffith77@gmail.com
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It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of one of our beloved club members - Alan Hay.
Alan was truly an icon within our club - a familiar face, a fierce competitor, and someone whose presence could not be missed. Many of us will forever recall his unforgettable "Alan-isms", the witty comments and one-liners that made us laugh. Beyond the game itself, Alan embodied the connection that makes this club so special. His impact on our pickleball family will not be forgotten. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Alan's wife, Melissa, his stepson, Luke, and all who loved him. Alan will be greatly missed but fondly remembered every time we gather to play and share the game he loved.
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Our Club continues to grow by leaps and bounds. We have many members who enjoy playing socially and recreationally, while others are focused on competition and improving their skills. Because of this growth, we consistently receive requests for more Skills & Drills opportunities. Over time, we’ve offered different options, such as Pickle Pals and occasional organized drill sessions. We will continue to do this. However, we’ve largely reached the limit of relying solely on volunteer leaders to coordinate instruction.
Many members already gather groups of like-minded players and work together to improve by watching instructional videos and practicing drills as a team. (There are thousands of great resources available online!) This remains a great option, and there are several experienced players willing to help guide others with drills and practice ideas.
If you’re interested in improving your game, we encourage you to find a group of interested players and reach out to someone on the board for guidance on how to get started.
To better support player development, we are designating Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9:00 AM–12:00 PM on the outdoor courts as DRILL DAYS. These sessions are intended to provide dedicated court time for anyone wanting to focus on skill development and improvement.
We believe that offering generous OPEN PLAY hours on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays on the outdoor courts also warrants providing designated court time for those seeking structured practice opportunities.
If courts are available outdoors during Drill Days, recreational play is still welcome. However, please understand that when groups are drilling, balls may frequently travel across courts and could interfere with open play. For that reason, we feel it is best to dedicate two mornings each week (a total of 6 hours) specifically for DRILL DAYS. If only one stack of courts (courts 1-3, or courts 4-6) are being used for drills, the others are available for open play, however the first option for court use goes to those wanting to drill.
Also to consider, Helen Indoor Pickleball - one of our Silver Sponsors - offers various skills & drills options throughout the week and weekend, as well as private or group lesson opportunities. While there, they have a large variety of Paddles for you to try before you buy while there.
Our Club also has Instructors offering private lessons. Please find their contact information at our website/Join - scroll down to "Interested in Private Lessons" for their contact information.
Thank you for helping us continue to grow a club that supports players of all skill levels and interests!
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Our Annual Volunteer Appreciation Lunch is scheduled for June 24th after regular open play. Add this date to your calendar - details to follow.....
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HCPC Board Our next Board meeting will be June 8th, at 12:30 in the Activity Room at the Aquatic Center. There is time on the agenda for your thoughts and suggestions. As always, we welcome you to join us.
And that will be enough of that.... because P1 is writing this month's newsletter so John Bigelow can concentrate on moving.
Paddles Up and Toe the Line! P1
