MENTOR PICKLEBALL
MAY 2024 NEWSLETTER

Below is information about Pickleball in the Mentor, OH area:
1. Outdoor Tournament Schedule – registration now open for 5 tournaments
2. Outdoor Leagues (Mentor Civic Center Park) – Session 1 (May-June)
3. Beginner Clinic - May 18
4. “3 and Me” Sessions / Lessons
5. Outdoor Play  (Mentor Civic Center Park)
6. Indoor Play (new location opening soon:  Pickleball Play 365)
7. Places to Play
8. About Us

NOTE:  THE CITY OF MENTOR HAS INFORMED US THAT THE MENTOR CIVIC CENTER PICKLEBALL COURTS WILL BE RE-PAINTED IN THE NEAR FUTURE.  THEY ARE GOING TO SCHEDULE THIS WHEN THERE IS AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF WARM AND DRY WEATHER.  WHEN THE WORK IS DONE, ALL COURTS ARE EXPECTED TO BE CLOSED.


1.  OUTDOOR TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

2024 Outdoor Shootout Tournaments will be held at Mentor Civic Center Park, 8600 Munson Rd, Mentor, OH 44060. Cost for each  event is $25 per person, which covers tournament entry, medals for top 3 teams in each division, and pizza at end of the event.  Events typically run 3 to 3-1/2 hours.  Teams will play a game against each other team in their skill division, and divisions will normally max out at 10 teams.

For details, and to register for all Shootouts, go to:
https://mentor.royalpickleball.com

Don't get shut out - these events often fill up and we have to turn people away!

2024 OUTDOOR SCHEDULE:

MAY 25 MIXED DOUBLES SHOOTOUT - Saturday, May 25th, 11:00 am.  Registration is OPEN.
JUNE 8 MEN'S DOUBLES SHOOTOUT - Saturday, June 8th, 11:00 am.  Registration is OPEN.
JUNE 15 SINGLES SHOOTOUT - Saturday, June 15th, 11:00 am.  Registration is OPEN.
JUNE 22 MIXED DOUBLES SHOOTOUT - Saturday, June 22nd, 11:00 am.  Registration is OPEN.
JULY 13 WOMEN'S DOUBLES SHOOTOUT - Saturday, July 13th, 11:00 am.  Registration is OPEN.
JULY 20 SINGLES SHOOTOUT - Saturday, July 20th, 11:00 am.  Registration opens June 1.
AUG 3 MIXED DOUBLES SHOOTOUT - Saturday, Aug 3rd, 11:00 am.  Registration opens June 1.
AUG 10 SINGLES SHOOTOUT - Saturday, Aug 10th, 11:00 am.  Registration opens June 1.
AUG 24 MIXED DOUBLES SHOOTOUT - Saturday, Aug 24th, 11:00 am.  Registration opens June 1.
SEPT 7  MEN'S DOUBLES SHOOTOUT - Saturday, Sept 7th, 11:00 am.  Registration opens July 1.
SEPT 21 MIXED DOUBLES SHOOTOUT - Saturday, Sept 21st, 11:00 am.  Registration opens July 1.
OCT 5 WOMEN'S DOUBLES SHOOTOUT - Saturday, Oct 5th, 11:00 am.  Registration opens July 1.

We are utilizing a new online website (mentor.royalpickleball.com) to handle all sign ups for our Shootouts.  The new website provides a number of benefits:
- 24/7 convenience for registration
- Immediate view of available openings in each division
- Ability to view other players and teams signed up
- Added capability to pay via credit card (with small service fee)
- Eases workload for tournament organizers, allowing us to offer more tournaments!

HOW TO REGISTER:
For details, and to register for all Shootouts, go to:
https://mentor.royalpickleball.com

If there are any questions, best to e-mail Ken Werner at [email protected].  Or you can text/call at 440-478-6542.


2.  OUTDOOR LEAGUES

We currently have some openings for the May-June session in our Pickleball leagues which are held outdoors at Mentor Civic Center Park.  Below is a list of leagues.  We run 3 sessions (May-June, July-August, Sept-Oct).  Sign-up priority is always given to those who played in the previous session.  If a league is full, we will place players on a wait list in case any openings arise.

Each week, league participants will play 6 games which will take approximately 90 minutes.  Cost is $30 each session.

LEAGUE DAY / TIME / LEVEL
Mondays at 12:00 noon -  Advanced (3.5) - CURRENTLY FULL
Tuesdays at 12:00 noon - Advanced+ (3.5+) - CURRENTLY FULL
Tuesdays at 2:00 pm - Intermediate (3.0) - LIMITED OPENINGS
Wednesdays at 12:00 noon - Intermediate / Advanced (3.0–3.5) - LIMITED OPENINGS
Wednesdays at 2:00 pm - Lower Intermediate (2.5-3.0)
Thursdays at 12:00 noon -  Advanced (3.5) - CURRENTLY FULL
Thursdays at 2:00 pm - Intermediate (3.0) - LIMITED OPENINGS
Fridays at 12:00 noon -  Intermediate / Advanced (3.0-3.5) - CURRENTLY FULL
Fridays at 2:00 pm - Lower Intermediate (2.5-3.0)
Saturdays at 12:00 noon * -  Intermediate / Advanced (3.0-3.5) - CURRENTLY FULL
*Saturday league will start at 3:00 pm on days when there is a tournament (e.g. May 25, June 8, 15, 22)

IMPORTANT NOTES:
Our intent is to organize leagues with players of similar level to allow for the best pickleball experience for all.  Please pay close attention to the level of each league, and be very realistic as to where you would best fit in.  With any league, you need to be competitive.  We will always work with people to find the most appropriate league, and if we cannot accommodate, we will always provide a full refund.

HOW TO SIGN UP:
To sign up or if questions, e-mail Ken at  [email protected].  You can also text to 440-478-6542.  Include name, e-mail address and which league(s) you are interested in.  We will respond whether we have spots available.  We also maintain a Wait List for each league.  If you are interested in a particular league and it is FULL, we encourage you to put your name on the Wait List, as we often have dropouts due to any number of reasons.


3.  BEGINNER CLINIC

Learn how to play the fastest growing sport in the country! 

All equipment provided, just bring yourself and be ready to learn and play

Date:  Saturday, May 18th
Time:  2:00-3:30 pm
Location:  Mentor Civic Center Park
Cost: $20 per person

You must register at the following website:

https;//mentor.royalpickleball.com

If any questions, contact Ken at [email protected] or 440-478-6542.


4.  ”3 AND ME” SESSIONS / LESSONS

“3 and Me” sessions are a chance for 3-4 people to play in a game with an instructor and receive personalized tips/instructions. Cost is $20 per person. Improve your game by receiving instruction that is pertinent to you in an actual game.

Regular lessons are also available – cost is $60 per hour for up to 4 people.

For both “3 and Me” sessions and lessons, contact Brian Murphy at 440-221-7487 or e-mail:    [email protected].


5.  OUTDOOR PLAY  (Mentor Civic Center Park)

Outdoor play is available at Mentor Civic Center Park, 8600 Munson Rd, Mentor, OH 44060.  Courts are located behind the outdoor pools, and are available daily from 7:00 am until 11:00 pm.

As in the past, courts are available to groups on a first-come, first-served basis.  (Each player is responsible for finding or organizing their own playing group).  

The City of Mentor will be posting additional rules:
- No savings of courts
- Play is limited to 2 games to 11 when other players are waiting.

Busiest times of play are typically 8:00-11:00 am (all days) and 5:00-8:00 pm (Sun-Fri).

Courts will be UNAVAILABLE on the following Saturdays from 10:30 am – 3:00 pm when tournaments are being held:
May 25, June 8, July 15, July 22, July 13, July 20, Aug 3, Aug 10, Aug 24  Sept 7, Sept 21,  Oct 5


6.  INDOOR PLAY

A new indoor Pickleball facility will be opening soon in Mentor!!!

PICKLEBALL PLAY 365, located at 8001 Moving Way, is expected to open in late May.

See further information and picture at bottom of this email.  For inquiries: contact Ben Beasley at [email protected]


7.  PLACES TO PLAY - CLEVELAND/AKRON AREA

Click here for detailed information on Places to Play in the Cleveland/Akron area.  This list has been put together and maintained by Rick Warsinskey who is a Cleveland Area Pickleball Ambassador.  It not only includes the addresses of available courts, but includes many notes on hours, activities, etc. at each location.  Thanks, Rick!!

We have also added a link on our home page (www.mentorpickleball.org) if you ever need to access the Places to Play list.


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ABOUT US:

WHAT IS MENTOR PICKLEBALL?
Mentor Pickleball is the collaboration of two brothers and a friend (Brian Murphy, Mike Murphy, Ken Werner) who enjoy and want to promote the sport of Pickleball in the Mentor, OH area. We work with the City of Mentor and help with maintaining facilities and organizing clinics, lessons, leagues, and tournaments. We also maintain a website (www.mentorpickleball.org), an e-mailbox ([email protected]), and publish this e-newsletter as a free service to help "spread the word".

E-MAIL LIST
If you are receiving this e-mail, you are currently on our e-mail distribution list and will periodically receive information on Pickleball in the Mentor and Northeast Ohio areas.  To unsubscribe or add an e-mail address, e-mail us at  [email protected].

WEBSITE
Check out our website,  www.mentorpickleball.org, for general information on Pickleball in the Mentor (OH) area.
Our latest newsletter is always posted on our website under the "Newsletter" tab.

QUESTIONS? / FEEDBACK?
We would like to hear from you! E-mail us at  [email protected]  with any questions or feedback. Leave a phone number if you would like to talk with someone directly.

MENTOR CIVIC CENTER PARK
- Located at 8600 Munson Rd, Mentor, OH 44060
- 15 state-of-the-art outdoor Pickleball courts (located behind outdoor pools)
- High quality playing surfaces and permanent nets (note playing surfaces are expected to be re-painted soon)
- Individually fenced courts
- Courts available 7 days per week, with lights for night-time play (until approx. 11:00 pm)
- Currently open to residents and non-residents, with no cost to play

We would like to thank the City of Mentor for providing one of the largest and finest outdoor Pickleball complexes in the country

MENTOR COMMUNITY RECREATION CENTER
- Located at 6000 Heisley Rd, Mentor, OH 44060
- Located in the back building (there is a back parking lot)
- 4 dedicated indoor Pickleball courts
- For all inquiries, contact City of Mentor Parks and Recreation Department at 440-974-5720 or [email protected].

PICKLEBALL PLAY 365
- Located at 8001 Moving Way, Mentor, OH 44060
- Opening expected in late May
- 8 dedicated indoor Pickleball courts with state-of-the-art cushioned playing surfaces, LED sports lighting. 30' ceiling, and substantial spacing around all courts.
- For all inquiries, contact Ben Beasley at [email protected]

Hope to see you on the courts!

Brian Murphy, Mike Murphy, Ken Werner
Mentor Pickleball

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PICKLEBALL PLAY 365

Pickleball Play 365 is coming to Mentor!!! It is conveniently located at 8001 Moving Way, off of Tyler Blvd., between RT 306 & 615. Look for a late May opening, and a sign-up for a few weeks of free play, to get to know us!  PBP 365 will have 8 Pickleball courts that offer an optimum playing experience that includes four-sided ball containment, state-of-the-art cushioned surfaces that look and play just like an outdoor court, LED sports lighting to reduce glare, substantial spacing around seven courts, a premier center court with additional spacing, and an expansive 30' ceiling height, that will never get in the way of your highest lob. A premier indoor Pickleball facility, with lounge, hospitality area and pro shop, that will provide the best possible atmosphere and community to capture the fun, competitive, and social phenomenon that is Pickleball, is the goal. Pickleball Play 365 will offer open play times, along with reserved courts, intro and beginner through advanced lessons, clinics, leagues for all levels, tournaments, youth programs, themed, group, corporate, family, singles, and couples’ events. Website coming soon at: PickleballPlay365.org.

For inquiries: contact Ben Beasley at [email protected]