Pickleball Boom in Georgetown: Pickleball, one of the fastest-growing sports in the U.S., is gaining strong interest in Georgetown. Players of all ages are joining local groups and using community centers to play. Instructors and residents say the sport is easy to learn, social, and less physically demanding than tennis.
A Sport for All Ages
“Pickleball is one of the few sports where you can be a 70-year-old woman and beat a 25-year-old man,” Instructor Doug Oliver said. “You don’t have to have power. You just have to be able to hit a ball in a good place.”
Pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, and has surged in popularity, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. The game uses a lightweight ball and paddle, with rules borrowed from tennis, badminton, and ping pong. The smaller court and underhand serving make it easier for people of all ages to enjoy.
Local Players’ Stories
Doug Oliver began playing a decade ago and now teaches at the Georgetown Recreation Center. He even played during a road trip across five cities and once joined a game in Quebec.
Two of his students, Susan Hartsfield and Paula Rowe, say the sport has changed their lives.
Ms. Rowe picked up pickleball in 2020 while looking for outdoor activities during the pandemic. “Plus [I get] exercise and I love to be outside,” she said. “You know it makes you feel young and real competitive.”
Ms. Hartsfield started playing as she and her husband prepared for retirement. “I didn’t want to be a couch potato in the evenings,” she said. She noted that pickleball is lighter than tennis and doesn’t worsen her old shoulder injury. “Golf is a life leisure sport, just like Pickleball is,” she added, calling it family-friendly and social.
How to Get Involved
Georgetown has several groups and locations for new players. The Team Reach app connects players by skill level, with the McMaster Athletic Complex group alone having 1,300 members. Other groups also draw hundreds of participants.
For beginners, the Georgetown Recreation Center provides paddles and balls. Regular athletic shoes are fine, and no special clothing is needed.
Where to Play in Georgetown
Georgetown Recreation Center: Indoor courts with temporary nets. 1003 North Austin Avenue.
Georgetown Tennis Center: Outdoor courts with lights. 400 Serenada Drive.
McMaster Athletic Complex: Outdoor courts with lights. 101 WL Walden Drive.
Tejas Pickleball Club: Indoor facility opening mid-August on the northwest side of Georgetown.
Sun City residents: Courts at Texas Drive, the Retreat, and North Point, with rules available on Sun City’s website.
The Bigger Picture
Pickleball’s rise in Georgetown mirrors a national trend. With its easy rules, social nature, and accessibility, the sport is drawing people of all ages. Community centers, clubs, and local groups continue to expand options for new players, ensuring pickleball will remain a key part of recreational life.
News in Brief: Pickleball Boom in Georgetown
Pickleball is booming in Georgetown, with growing groups and new facilities. Instructor Doug Oliver and local players highlight its fun, social, and family-friendly nature. Community centers and parks offer many places to play, while new clubs are opening. The sport’s simplicity and accessibility make it popular with people of all ages.
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