Do you want to play a fun sport that combines many elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong? If you answered yes .. the game of pickleball might be just what you are looking for. Pickleball can be played as doubles or singles.

Lochmere offers 6 courts at the Highlands facility located at 200 Loch Highlands Drive. These courts are marked for pickleball and are for use by Lochmere residents only.  They must be reserved using the Court Scheduler on Lochmere’s website .. Just click HERE (you must be signed in to your account).  

• Please remember to designate that you are reserving the courts for pickleball. 
• Please remember to close umbrellas and place all trash in the receptacles before exiting courts.
• Cancellations can be made up to the time of your reservation.  If your plans change, please cancel your reservation.  This will allow other residents to enjoy the courts

Rules for court usage are posted at the courts. All players should abide by the rules. Please remember:

• Pets are not permitted on the courts.
• No alcoholic beverages, food, or glass are permitted on the courts or inside the tennis gate.
• Smoking and vaping is not permitted on the property.
• Proper tennis attire is required. Shoes that mark the courts are not allowed. No sports bras are allowed without a cover-up. Shirts must be worn at all times.

• Only Lochmere Association approved tennis pros may provide tennis and pickleball instruction.  Instruction is provided by appointment only.  No guest instructors are allowed. 

  Lochmere-certified instructors are as follows:

  • Michel Haddad, Director of Tennis,  Head Tennis Professional  USPTA certified
  • Brian Heaphey
  • Kasey Schwartz

Since it is known to be easier on the joints than tennis, pickleball is very popular with older players. However, whether it is at a fast pace of competition or a slower pace for beginners and older players, it is a game that can be fun for any age: young, old or in-between.

When playing pickleball, each player needs a pickleball paddle, which is smaller than a tennis racquet but larger than a ping-pong paddle. Players will also need to bring their own pickleballs. The ball is unique, with holes through it like a whiffle ball.  For more information about pickleball, please visit the USA Pickleball website HERE.

 

PICKLEBALL ETIQUETTE

Pickleball continues to be the fastest growing sport in the USA. In Lochmere, we are no exception. We have clinics, lessons, Open Play and a great outdoor facility comprised of 6 courts at the Highlands Club. Many of our residents have learned the sport over the last few years and regularly play multiple days/week.

Pickleball can be played as singles; however, the vast majority of recreation play is doubles. That means up to 24 people can be playing at the same time in Lochmere.

Pickleball combines athletic play with a social atmosphere. Witnessing that comradery is addictive and leads many to set up their own playing groups. An important aspect to any group sport is understanding and following proper etiquette. Here are some expectations for proper etiquette at the Lochmere Highlands courts:

1. Know the rules for recreation play, including scoring, line calls, foot faults, etc. so that arguments are not an issue. If you do not know the rule, ask a different group of players as most are more than happy to help.
2. Please, no pets, skateboards, roller blades, chairs, etc. on the courts. This may impact other players or mar the painted playing surface.
3. Lochmere has a reservation application which allows any resident to reserve up to two sessions of 30-90 minutes each day. The earliest start time is 8:00 am and continues until 10:00 pm. Please do not play outside of these timeframes as we have neighbors close to the courts and this may cause unwanted noise.
4. Lights are available for evening play. If you want them on, just turn on the breaker (they also have a timer that Lochmere controls so they are not on during the day). Good etiquette is to turn them off when all courts are unused. Note that they do require a warm-up period so don’t turn them off when others are still playing!
5. If you reserve a session, you need to be there at the courts as the Lochmere Host. Others outside of Lochmere may join your play, however, you are the host.
6. If you reserve a session but issues arise that you cannot play, please cancel the session in the Lochmere reservation application so that it becomes available for others. It is very frustrating for reservations to be full and then finding court(s) unoccupied.
7. Lochmere Open Play is available Sunday afternoons from 1-3PM on Court 3 and is limited to Lochmere residents only. Paddle boards with slots are located on the outside of the court fencing and the next game is played by the 4 who place their paddles in the next available slot. There is no “saving” slots and you must leave the court after playing a game to ensure those waiting get the next opportunity. Make sure to place your paddle into the paddle board if you want another game.
8. Pickleball is fun. Please keep this at the top of your experience and come out and play!  
   
   November & December News

Lochmere is happy to announce that Brian Heaphy and Kasey Schwartz have accepted the positions of Pickleball Pros.    Both Brian and Kasey are teaching private and semi-private lessons as well as clinics.  We thank Ryan Gilbert for all his help with offering lessons and clinics at Lochmere and wish him luck as he moves on.  

The popularity of Pickleball has exploded around the world.  Our Tennis & Pickleball Director, Michel Haddad, is working hard to grow our pickleball activities.  We know that these two new pros will handle the growing demand.  

That being said, they will be offering the following clinics during November and December.  We are also offering our first pickleball clinics to Middle/High School students.  The plan is to grow this in the spring to younger children as well.  

Please click on the links for each respective clinic for a description as well as to register.  

• Tuesday evening Beginner Level -- please visit HERE. 
• Tuesday evening Intermediate Level -- please visit HERE. 
• Wednesday morning & Saturday morning Strategy & IQ Intermediate Level -- please visit HERE. 
• Wednesday evening Middle/High School -- please visit HERE.  

Please note that only Lochmere approved instructors (Brian and Kasey) may teach lessons/clinics. 

If you have any questions/comments/concerns, please contact Michel and Brian at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

SUNDAY OPEN PLAY

Lochmere is happy to announce that Open Play Pickleball returns to the Highlands courts.  Open Play will be on Sundays from 1-3 PM on court 3, starting on November 8. Open Play is available each time for all levels and is for Lochmere residents only.

Please direct any questions to Lochmere's Tennis & Pickleball Director, Michel Haddad, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..