By BOBBIE GREEN
The Progress
The always popular Mesquite Senior Games (MSG) Pickleball tournament was held last week at the city’s new pickleball facility across from the Mesquite Recreation Center.
John Rosen the MSG event coordinator said that there were 104 teams in this year’s tournament. As always with MSG, the teams compete within 5-year age divisions. Medals are given out Gold, Silver and Bronze, for each age group for Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles.
Players came from eight different states to be in the games. Sharon and Steimel came from Kansas to participate in the games.
“We like to travel, and she loves to play pickleball,” Steimel said. “So we travel around the country from Senior Games to Senior Games. We can find partners for her online when she registers.”
Local resident, Mara Barnachia loves pickleball and the new courts.
“Pickleball is the best social game and work-out there is,” Barnachia said. “You make good friends and MSG does a good job putting on their tournaments.”
There were 64 local residents represented in the MSG for this 2022 tournament event.
Michael Bonneau came from Ivins to participate in the 70+ age group. Bonneau said that he and his pickleball partner come to play because its fun and its close to Ivins.
Sandy Reetz and pickleball partner Mike Breitenstein came from St George, Utah to participate in the games. They said that they love the new courts. They are also drawn by the fact that the other players are nice people and that the games are well organized. They said that ehy will also be participating in the Huntsman Senior Games in Utah.
“Comments from the participants were overwhelmingly positive, with continued praise for the new court complex,” said event coordinator Rosen.
Several players expressed an opinion to Rosen, that the popularity of the Tournament play in Mesquite, especially among the elite players, would explode, once the complex is completed to its full 14-court configuration with all of the planned amenities.
Most players said they will return to Mesquite for the 2023 Spring Season Games. Dates for that tournament are yet to be announced.
