Pickleball Season is Here at Bishops Bay

Get ready to serve, volley, and rally—pickleball season is almost back at Bishops Bay. With a full slate of events, upcoming clinics for all skill levels, and exciting updates to court reservations, there’s never been a better time to get involved.

Meet Your Pickleball Pro

Kevin Friend is here to help you elevate your game. Kevin is currently the coach at Edgewood College, and also works at Hitters. You can contact Kevin at:

• Cell: (847) 867-2460

• Email: pickleball@bishopsbay.com

• TeamReach: Reach out for group updates and quick info

Upcoming Pickleball Events

Mark your calendar for these special events throughout the season:

• May 9 – Dinko De Mayo | 4–6 PM

• May 22 – Women’s Opener Scramble | 10–11:30 AM

• June 6 – Play with the Pros | 4–6 PM

• June 27 – Last Paddle Standing | 4–6 PM

• July 25 – Play with the Pros | 4–6 PM

• August 10 – Mix-Up Mania | 3–5 PM

• October 2 – GLOWBALL | 7–8:45 PM

• Interclub Matches – Dates TBD

Weekly Clinics Begin in May

Starting the week of May 5, join us for weekly skill-based clinics:

• Mondays, 10 AM – 12 PM: Advanced Clinic

• Tuesdays, 10 AM – 12 PM: Intermediate Clinic

• Wednesdays, 10 AM – 12 PM: Beginner Clinic

Note: Advanced Clinics will now be held on Mondays.

Pickleball Court Guidelines

To help ensure a great experience for all players, please keep the following in mind:

• Court reservations open two weeks in advance beginning in May—similar to the golf tee sheet.

• Members may book one court at a time. For multiple courts, contact Bubba or Kevin.

• Guests are $5 per visit. Please note this charge on the court sheet or inform Bubba or Kevin.

• Courts are open for booking from 7 AM to 8 PM. Reservations can be made in 1- or 2-hour blocks.

• Athletic gear and proper court shoes are required. No swimsuits, please.

We’re excited for another fantastic season of pickleball at the Club. Whether you’re new to the game or looking to take your play to the next level, there’s something for everyone on the court. See you out there!

Spring Golf Course Grass Update from Nick: Winter Scald and Poa Program

As we prepare to open the full golf course this Saturday, Nick shares a quick update on what members can expect to see out on the course and how the turf is bouncing back after winter.

One notable area is the 18th women’s tee, which is a good example of signs of winter scald and desiccation.

Winter scald and desiccation occur when cold winds and lack of moisture damage exposed turf, causing it to dry out and die back during winter dormancy.

These unprotected conditions caused excessive dormancy over the winter, but early signs of recovery are visible as new grass blades begin to emerge. To improve this in the future, Nick plans to implement topdressing and protective coverings during winter months.

Nick also explains a little bit about our Poa Cure Program, now in its second year of a three-year plan aimed at transitioning the greens to predominantly bentgrass. This season, we’re seeing the positive effects of Poa reduction, especially with bentgrass starting to wake up earlier and creep into weakened Poa areas. While some patches still look stressed, bentgrass stolons are beginning to fill in naturally—reducing the need for reseeding.

Poa annua, or annual bluegrass, is a shallow-rooted, disease-prone grass that can create inconsistent playing surfaces on golf courses. Reducing Poa helps promote more resilient, uniform turf like bentgrass, improving overall playability and ease of maintenance.

The course is on track for a strong recovery this season, and Nick and the team are committed to nurturing healthier, more sustainable turf conditions for years to come.