Paddle Paradise - courtesy of Phil Curtis

Paddle Paradise

Paddle tennis game was birthed in 1898,
In Albion not far from Michigan State;
The founder was named Frank Peer Beal,
It’s a game for which he had a good feel.

Inspired by tennis but on a smaller court,
The game could be played if tall or short;
The rules were similar to its sister sport,
So racquet players could easily comport.

Paddle tennis soon became all the rage,
As eager combatants took to the cage;
Why courts grew up all over the place,
From Grosse Pointe to Chevy Chase.

Finally to the sunny south paddle came,
But took so long it was almost a shame;
Heretofore northern venues held sway,
From Lake Forest to Narragansett Bay.

Led by Ansley Golf Club and the PDC,
Soon a coed paddle league came to be;
The PPL with the help of Peter Lauer,
Spawned competition ready to flower.

The local paddle talent started to grow,
With the likes of Bailey and Morneau;
And yet Freddie Goldberg and Pat Tuff,
Said two courts were simply not enough.

So the Cherokee Town Club added more,
And Steve Gareleck had another in store;
Now we can hold a national tournament,
That will entice talent nearly heaven sent.

Moral of this story is to always be alert,
Inventing a game with history you flirt;
Yet with something as good as paddle,
You’re sure to be firmly in the saddle!

• Philip K. Curtis
PPL Member since Inception