When Steve sent us the fun photo below, we had to find out more about his pickleball community in Hackensack, Minnesota (where they sometimes deal with “a little snow,” as he so modestly put it). Turns out Steve is also a big fan of my book, which makes me an even bigger fan of him (great minds dink alike…). We asked him a few questions about his experiences.

How long have you been playing pickleball and where did you learn to play?
I started playing the end of 2015 at Hackensack Community Center in Minnesota. It was a small group of people playing on two indoor courts. Then in February 2016, my wife and I went to Fairbanks, AK to house and dog sit for our son and his family while they went to Sweden for two months for work. There is where I really learned to play pickleball. I would go to the gym at the University of Fairbanks and play with a wonderful group of players that helped me learn the game. At night I would watch pickleball videos and try out new shots the next day. So, for two months I played pickleball three days a week and watched pickleball videos at night. 

I came back to Hackensack excited to play. We started a club. I became Vice President and a USA Pickleball Ambassador. Today I am the President of our 94 members club and using PlayTime Scheduler to schedule two indoor and two outdoor courts. 

When did you first join PlayTime Scheduler as a regional admin?
I joined in 2020. A pickleball friend who runs the Longville Pickleball Club winters in Green Valley, AZ. He said it was the best thing he had seen and was going to use it for his club. I checked it out and became a Power User right away. All of our members appreciate the ease of use and can check multiple towns for the sessions they want to attend.

How would you describe your local pickleball community?
They call our area the “Lakes Country." We have hundreds of lakes in our area. It is a vacation destination for many in Minnesota and surrounding states. In the past five years every small town around have built pickleball courts. From my home I can drive 30 minutes and play at five different towns that offer pickleball. Many of our club members are also members of other clubs. All of the towns use PlayTime Scheduler to schedule their sessions. 

What advice would you give to a new region considering setting up PlayTime Scheduler?
Oh My, Do It! PlayTime Scheduler allows you to know who is playing and and how many are playing. For new members, I send them the instructions to register so they can log in. Most find it easy to use. Becoming a Power User is well worth the money! The support is excellent. If you have any questions they respond quickly. 

Nothing stops Minnesota player Nancy Wolf from making it to her games on time!