Hey all!
Mike here. I've been playing racquetball off and on for the last 5 years or so (and way more loyally before that) in my old home town of Toledo, OH. I love the game. In fact, you could see me at the outdoor courts almost every day when I was in High School and College.
Anyway, that kind of brings me to the reason I'm posting. For work reasons, I ended up moving my whole family here to Hilton Head, SC. Don't get me wrong. I'm not complaining about the move. Great weather, great area. I'm happy. The problem is, there is absolutely no public racquetball here.
And I mean none! I even talked to Doug from Python in nearby Savannah regarding this, and he only mentioned a couple locations in Savannah, which would be about an hour away from me.
It's funny to think I was spoiled in Toledo when it came to outdoor courts open to the public, but it's true.
I've been watching the petition for 3 walls in Greenville, hoping it pans out. I'm also wondering what I should do for getting something like that down here as well.
Any help, either in finding a game available to a public player, or help in figuring out how to get outdoor courts down here, would be great.

I feel your pain brother!

Also, it's too bad you're not a bit further south, Florida literally has them growing on trees! No... REALLY! Find the type of court you want, long, mid, short wall, ceiling or/and bar maids then pick it off the branch and place it down and play. Just amazing I say.

Anyway about resolving your issue. I've attempted contacting the 13 Greater Sacramento Parks & Rec departments and I have found petitioning them seems about the only way to get the process started. Get a TON of local signatures desiring courts be build and THEN they will consider it. I've put together a nice introduction letter I sent out to all the departments hoping they'd just go head over heels for it. Naaa. But I did get a few encouraging reply's about how to go about the process, at least in our area.

Maybe you can find some outdoor tennis practice courts, the three-wall surface tennis players use for practicing by themselves. They seemed to be pretty common in Florida, and are fine for picking up a game of outdoor. So I would do a web search combining public parks and tennis courts, and make some phone calls if you find any results.

Find a One Wall Court...paint lines.

It works well in NYC.

Mike,

Beaufort is close to you, it has two courts and a lot of good players. I live in Charleston and we have many places to play.

Give me a call 843-714-8790,

Thanks
Donald Grunstra

Hey all!
Seriously, these are some great suggestions, and Donald, I might be calling you real soon, if not pming you anyway!
But honestly, I really think I'm starting to get my hackles up about a ritzy place like Hilton Head not having anything like this. I just got done talking with the Parks and Rec department, and they feel that interest in the sport has gone by the wayside here. I'm not so sure this is the case. I talked to a few guys here at work and they all got wide-eyed when I brought up outdoor racquetball.
I'm thinking I might just have to get a petition together and see how many people would be interested in my way of thinking.
After all, the HH Classic golf tourney is questionable here next year. They really need to up the ante for tourism, and if we can get some 3 walls up here, I'll be talking to WOR about coming out!
Thanks again everybody!
Hope to be playing soon.
Mike

Mike, we'll still save you a spot a Lucas County Rec Center when you decide to come back...
We'll even let you park by the bleachers!

Deuce

Mike, we'll still save you a spot a Lucas County Rec Center when you decide to come back...
We'll even let you park by the bleachers!

Thanks Deuce!
Ahh, the memories.
Just hoping I can petition successfully for an outdoor around here!
Think about it, man! Playing weather *almost* all year round!
Still, some of the times I had at the Rec. Great balling out there.
LMK how the WOR tournies go this year!

OOps! forgot I had an old account on here. Still scbomber. I'll fix later.

scbomber

Hey all!

and if we can get some 3 walls up here, I'll be talking to WOR about coming out!

Mike

Build it and WOR will come!

billgeo

Build it and WOR will come!

Bet on it. Let's see what I can make happen. Turns out my Boss has some good connections with the previous mayor here and some construction companies.
Think I'm going to open up a thread in the regional section to see if I can generate interest in the move.
If there's anyone else seeing this from the area, please sound out!

here's the link to the petition thread:
http://meetandplay.com/Thread/View/15993/
Seriously need opinions on if this will work and if it's something wanted. Please throw this dog a bone!