Pickleball: Peace, Paddles, and Perseverance

San Diego’s Bobby Riggs Club Facing Challenges

This post isn’t coming to you from a distant corner of the world or from the saddle of my motorcycle. It’s coming from right here—San Diego, California—the place I call home and the community I cherish deeply. For those of you who know me personally, you already know how much passion I’ve developed for pickleball—a sport I took up at my neurologist’s suggestion to help manage my ongoing vertigo—vestibular therapy, they call it. What began as therapy has evolved into so much more: it’s joy, connection, and camaraderie wrapped into one quirky, wonderful game.

So, this post is particularly relevant to my fellow pickleballers, but it’s also a call to anyone who values community and what it takes to sustain it. I feel so strongly about the challenges that Bobby Riggs Racket & Paddle Club is currently facing that I had to write, and post this—not just to present the facts but also to rally support and action for something that means so much to so many of us.

Let’s dive in.

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Last Thursday night, the pickleball world in San Diego was rocked when Steve Dawson, owner of the Bobby Riggs Racket & Paddle Club, shared some devastating news. Due to escalating city issues—noise complaints, parking struggles, and perhaps the lingering shadow of a development deal—the club has been forced to close 66% of its courts, reducing available play to just seven courts. 

This news hit my inbox like a ball whizzing past your paddle— unexpected and disheartening—for a club that has been a vibrant hub of sport, connection, and camaraderie and a nationally recognized destination:

“It is with a sad heart that I must inform my Bobby Riggs Community that only courts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 9 will be available for play at Bobby Riggs until I resolve issues with the city. … I find it sad that the city is focusing its pressures on our positive pickleball community.” – Steve Dawson

If you’re a pickleballer in North County San Diego, you’ve likely felt the ripple effects. Local parks like Moonlight Beach, Cottonwood Creek, and Carlsbad’s Poinsettia Park are now jam-packed with displaced players scrambling for court time. Private clubs such as Lomas Santa Fe Country Club and La Valle Coastal Club, Tennis Club of Vista and others may also be feeling the squeeze as players look for alternatives.

But what exactly is going on at Bobby Riggs? Here’s the short story, along with some thoughts on what we can do.

The Growing Storm: A History of Challenges

While Bobby Riggs is a beacon of joy for players, the rhythmic “pop” of pickleballs and increased traffic understandably irked some neighbors. Compounding the issue is the planned construction of new housing nearby, where developers may quietly weigh the implications of disclosing the proximity of noisy courts to future buyers. Add to this the potential impact of the Santa Fe Drive improvement project—a logistical headache waiting to unfold for everyone in the area—and you have a perfect storm of challenges.

Noise complaints began as early as 2022, leading to city citations. Dawson responded by implementing rules to keep the peace: no amplified sound, restrictions on personal music, and a request for players to keep celebrations subdued. ” Keep it down,” he wrote then. Nonetheless, frustrations persisted despite the club’s efforts to accommodate neighbors.

What We Know So Far

Parking became another contentious issue. Negotiations with San Dieguito Academy High School and nearby Venture Church initially helped secure overflow parking. However, despite clear rules about when and where parking was permitted, some players ignored the restrictions, fraying relationships that had been delicately maintained. In one heated incident, a player whose car was towed for parking in a restricted area confronted Venture Church’s leadership angrily, escalating tensions and ultimately causing the club to lose this carefully negotiated arrangement. 

Even with attempts to alleviate neighbors’ concerns and complaints regarding noise and parking, frustrations continued to bubble beneath the surface. The city’s decision to restrict court usage to just seven courts is a culmination of these simmering tensions. It’s a stark reminder that even well-loved and popular community hubs aren’t immune to the pressures of rapid growth and conflicting interests.

A Community Beyond Courts

But let’s look at just what Bobby Riggs represents. Over the past 15 years, the Dawsons have built more than just a pickleball club. They’ve fostered a community. From round-robin and competitive tournaments to fundraisers supporting causes like Feeding San Diego and Rady Children’s Hospital, the club’s impact extends far beyond the boundaries of its courts. It’s a place where people of all ages and skill levels come together, where friendships are forged, where families come together, and where the spirit of fun trumps competition.

The ripple effects of this community extend into the broader local economy, particularly for nearby businesses. Restaurants, cafes, coffee shops, and retail boutiques all benefit from the steady stream of players who gather before, after, and even socializing days and evenings off the courts. Riggs attracts not only fans and players but also contributes extensively to the local economy. I refer to this as the “pickleball bump,” something the city should recognize and understand. It’s not just about the matches being played; it’s also about the connections and commerce they generate.

With 66% of Bobby Riggs courts closed, the community’s resilience is being tested. Dawson has proposed innovative solutions, such as covering courts and requiring quieter paddles. However, these fixes will need time, resources, and, most importantly, community support.

Why This Matters

Bobby Riggs isn’t just a club; it’s a community. It’s where I’ve spent countless hours playing, laughing, and meeting incredible people who share a love for this “kooky sport” (as Misty, a regular at Riggs, aptly put it). Steve and Jennifer Dawson have created more than just a place to play; they’ve built a haven for connection, camaraderie, and fun. From those fundraisers for local causes to tournaments and social events, Bobby Riggs has been a cornerstone of North County’s pickleball scene.

However, the challenges have been mounting for some time. Now, everything has reached a breaking point.

What We Can Do

Show Up on January 22: 
Attend the city council meeting at Encinitas City Hall. A strong turnout will demonstrate community support even though Riggs isn’t formally on the agenda. Remember, we’re there to be positive ambassadors for pickleball—friendly, respectful, and solution-focused. Wednesday, January 22, 2025 — Encinitas City Hall, 505 S. Vulcan Avenue, Encinitas, CA 92024

Write to City Officials: 
Use the City of Encinitas’ comment portal here to share your thoughts. Use “Bobby Riggs Closure” as the subject line. Keep it polite and emphasize the club’s positive contributions to the community. Write or call City Hall, attention City Manager:

Jennifer Campbell
City Manager’s Office
760-633-2604
Citymanager@encinitasca.gov

Support Steve’s Efforts: 
Steve’s already brainstorming solutions, from creating quieter paddles to rethinking court operations. Let’s give him the time and encouragement to navigate these challenges.

Stay Engaged: 
This is just step one. As the situation evolves, future meetings, letters, and emails will likely be needed. Get more involved, join the Grassroots Committee at www.savebobbyriggs.com and keep an eye on blog posts there as well.

Final Thoughts
Yes, this is a blow. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned from pickleball, it’s that you never give up on a point—even when it feels like you’re on the defensive. Steve’s optimism gives me hope. As he wrote: “All roadblocks create avenues for continued success.”

Let’s rally, support our club, and remind Encinitas why pickleball isn’t just a sport—it’s a community.

See you on the courts (or at City Hall). 

Peace. Paddles, and Perseverance!

Allan Karl

#PickleballCommunity #BobbyRiggs #SaveBobbyRiggs #PickleballLife