A steady pour of rain on Friday afternoon didn’t stop the first-ever pickleball game ever played at Propst Park.
More than a dozen spectators, many of whom were local pickleball enthusiasts and city officials, donned their rain coats or huddled underneath umbrellas to watch a slippery yet competitive doubles match between Columbus mayor Stephen Jones and city attorney Jeff Turnage on one of the park’s six new pickleball courts.
On one side, Jones, a self-proclaimed ‘first-time pickleball player,’ teamed up with avid pickleball player and Border Springs Baptist Church pastor Taylor Chisolm, and on the other side were Turnage, another first-time player, and Willie Jones, who is Stephen’s brother.
Mayor Jones put on a display of grit and resolve as he bounced back from an early slip and fall to help propel his team to an 11-8 win in front of a soaked but cheery crowd that was quick to comment on bad serves and moments of surprisingly good action.
The game remained close in the beginning as each team seemed to take time to feel each other out, like two boxers picking and waiting for their opponent’s reaction. A ball hit the mayor’s way soared across the net and sunk low toward the ground when he reached down with his paddle to try and hit the ball, but he lost his footing and tumbled to the ground. Without missing a beat, Jones got back up and wiped some water off himself and returned to action. Jones and Turnage made sure to let their teammates handle most of the action, and both were more than willing to showcase their skills. They made their fair share of mistakes in the game, giving up valuable points, but both were able to let loose strong smacks during volleys, often leading to quick scores. Competitiveness was on display, with each team often letting the other know when they scored a point. But when the game was over each side hugged, shook hands and congratulated each other in a showcase of sportsmanship. Turnage, an avid tennis player, said he played as well as he could.
“I’ve never played before. I played well as I expected,” Turnage said. “I’ve played a lot of tennis but (pickleball is) a different game.”
Stephen Jones said the game has made him a sudden fan of the sport.
“I actually like it,” Stephen said of pickleball. “It was my first time. I actually warmed up this morning just to learn a little bit, but I actually like it. I wish the weather had held off and maybe I wouldn’t have taken a tumble, but I actually think it’s a fun sport. I look forward to all the people – if they came out in the rain to open up the courts then we know that people are going to be using them.”
Columbus Parks and Recreation director Greg Lewis said the new courts will be open for play from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. from Monday through Saturday. On Sunday, people can play from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
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