There's a new sport in town that's not so new after all.
Pickleball has swept the country over the past few years and there is a thriving local scene where players young and old (and everywhere in between) compete together.
"It's a combination of tennis, badminton and ping pong," said Deede Formica, ambassador for Lumpkin County. "Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in America. And it's just plain fun."
The Yahoola Creek Pickleball club held a Welcome Back event for returning players and Beginner Clinic last Sunday at Parks & Rec.
Formica said the sport, which uses a paddle and whiffle ball, can be played inside or outside and the court is the same size as a badminton court (1/3 the size of a tennis court) with a net a couple of inches lower than in tennis.
"Pickleball can be played by people of all ages," Formica said.
She said there are players from ages 16 up to 84 in the local league.
In addition, people of all skill levels are willing to play with each other, Formica added.
Nick Yasui, who handles Pickleball member signup for Parks & Rec, said games last an average of 15-20 minutes.
He said in Lumpkin County about 35-50 players rotate through competition days on a regular basis while there are a total of 145 members currently signed up in the Lumpkin County club.
FRIENDS AND FUN
Tournament participant Randy Brown has been playing pickleball for about a year and a half.
He said his favorite thing is the exercise, and how the sport is great for all ages.
"It's a thinking man's game," Brown said. "And it's a fun league. I've met new wonderful friends."
Brown, who is 73, said he also volunteers with Meals on Wheels and helps other members teach local special needs kids to play the sport.
Sally Trapnell, the District Ambassador for North Georgia, said that in four years she has trained over 200 pickleball players in the county.
Trapnell said that three years ago the Georgia Recreation and Park Association made the state the first to recognize pickleball as an official athletic program.
"All of us are here for a little play time," she said.
Trapnell said the club gets a lot of people who are new to town. They even have socials once a month, she added.
GET INVOLVED
The Yahoola Creek Pickelball club plays indoors at Lumpkin County Parks & Rec
Tuesdays and Fridays 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thursdays 5 to 8 p.m. and Sundays 4 to 8 p.m.
Outdoor play is at Yahoola Creek Tennis Complex Sunday through Saturday 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
To sign up call Lumpkin County Parks & Rec, 706-864-3622.
For more information online visit the USA Pickleball website—usapickleball.org or on Facebook: "Yahoola Creek Pickelball."