2 minute read

Pickleball & “World Class” Tennis

Our Pickleball Pro

Luis Bayol knew on his first visit that he would retire in Sunriver.

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“We were here for a family reunion. I started my day with a morning run, then a mid-morning bike ride, kayaking and finished with playing golf,” Luis said. “Where else can you do so many activities in one day.”

The retired accountant/CPA was introduced to a new sport in 2012.

“I had no clue about pickleball even though it was invented in 1965 by two dads in Bainbridge Island in Washington,” Luis said. “I enjoy playing because it’s a fun, social yet competitive sport.”

He’s now Sunriver’s Pickleball Pro, having earned an IPTPA Level II certification as a pickleball instructor. He has a USAPA 5.0 tournament rating for mixed doubles and is a Team Selkirk sponsored player. Luis teaches beginners through 4.0 rated players. Bayol played tennis for many years prior to pickleball and was a Division I college baseball player. He has won medals at pickleball tournaments.

The Sunriver Pickleball Club was established in 2012 by Anita Photo by Kristine Thomas and John Lohman. As of April 2022, there are 320 members. The club is open to SROA Homeowners, community members and visitors.

The Sunriver Pickleball Club invites players of all levels to play. The club meets 9:30 am to 12:30 pm in May, June and September, and 8 to 11 am in July and August on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at the Fort Rock Park Pickleball Courts.

“Everyone is welcome and it’s a great way to meet new friends,” Luis said.

He and his wife, Ann, enjoy taking their guests kayaking on the river, bike riding throughout Sunriver and hiking at Benham Falls. “I feel like I am living in a place where I am always on a vacation,” he said.

Visit sunriverowners.org/departments/recreation/tennis-pickleball/sunriver-pickleball for more information.

Discover “World-Class” Tennis in Sunriver

Tennis enthusiasts can enjoy playing on Sunriver’s tennis courts or taking lessons from a certified professional.

Tennis courts are the North Courts next to Woodlands Golf Course and one court at Fort Rock Courts in Fort Rock Park by the playground.

Smaller court complexes nestled within the pines dot the community, creating a private court experience. Neighborhood courts, available first to Sunriver Owners Association (SROA) members, can be found at Meadow Village, Ranch Cabins and Cottonwood. Condominium courts, available to condo owners and guests, are located at Quelah Condos, Stoneridge Condos, The Pines, Alberello Condos and North Course Estates.

To ensure a high-quality playing experience, the SROA continues to resurface many of its existing courts when needed, which proves to be quite a draw for state and national tennis tournaments.

SROA’s Sunriver Tennis programs are coordinated by a certified tennis pro and seasoned staff.

Reservations are required for the use of SROA-owned tennis courts. You can rent a ball hopper and other equipment at the North Courts. Tennis Sunriver also offers a variety of clinics and lessons between June and September. For information, call 541-593-5707 or go to sunrivertennis.com.

Owned and managed by Sunriver Resort, Sage Springs Club & Spa features Sunriver’s only indoor courts, and are open to resort guests and club members. The Resort also maintains four outdoor courts across the street from Sage Springs. The courts are available to Resort guests and the public for a fee.

Visit SunriverResort.com or call 541-593-7890 for information.

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