PICKLEBALL PROS VISIT ATHENS

BEN JOHNS #1 Pickleball Player in the world with USA Pickleball Ambassador Dr. J (Jerry Brinegar) in Athens, Georgia after their singles match!

*This article received over 3,900 hits in less than 24 hours with approximately 500 comments and 150+ shares on the Pickleball Forum itself. Athens Area Pickleball is extremely fortunate and excited that these three professional Pickleball players chose our city and County Courts to drill on in preparation for their upcoming tournament. Our welcoming environment and privacy is just what they needed. Their presence is a huge compliment to our Athens Area Pickleball Association and Athens Clarke County Leisure Services.

Rob Nunnery, Dekel Bar (#1 PB Player in Israel) & #5 in the world, Dr. J and Ben Johns (#1 in the world), in Athens, Georgia at Southeast Clarke County Park's Pickleball courts.

Dr. J's dream story as posted on the Pickleball Forum and the USAP Ambassador's Facebook Page: May 17, 2021
​ "I am blown away! Went to our Athens Southeast Park to play Pickleball today and noticed three young men drilling on one of our back courts. It was immediately obvious that they were professionals and everyone respectfully gave them privacy for about an hour and a half. Then I introduced myself as the Ambassador for the Athens Area of Pickleball play and didn't get their names with clarity due to my hearing loss. They were polite, courteous and super good players. I ask the one singles player if he would mind letting an old guy like me (78 years old) play him in a 3 point singles match just so I could experience the speed of his serves and returns. He was most gracious and what followed was a display of pickleball brilliance. Out of five serves I returned one and barely saw the others. His accuracy was pinpoint awesome! I hit one winner that he returned like it was popcorn straight down the line for his winning point 3-0! I asked him again, "now what is your name son?" I couldn't believe my ears when he said, "Ben Johns." I don't have many heroes in this stage of my life, Willie Nelson, Robert DeNiro, Gene Hackman and you guessed it, Ben Johns, the number one Pickleball player in the world! And I just played him in singles. Ben you have made my day! I want to compliment you on what a fine respectful young man you are and what a great player and sport today for letting this old man see what a 90 mph fastball looks like. Good luck in the Atlanta Georgia Open PPA this week!"  Dr. J

2 years later at the PPA in Atlanta Ben was warming up on the court assignment that I drew. Always good to see him. 5/2023