On Aug. 14, the Rancho Santa Fe Tennis Club celebrated the 90th birthday of avid pickleball player Charles Wylie during their open pickleball session.
“He’s an inspiration to all tennis and pickleball players at the club,” said Tennis Club General Manager John Chanfreau.
Wylie is a San Diego native who has been living in Rancho Santa Fe for the last 35 years. He actually started out playing the sport of racquetball for many years but quit playing as soon as pickleball popped up.
“The only thing you have to worry about is hitting the ball,” he said of what he likes most about the game.
He plays pickleball three to four days a week at the club and Chanfreau said he is strategically sharp and moves fairly well, getting into games and making lots of friends.
Wylie also stays active walking the Ranch with his longtime walking partner and friend Jim Ashcraft.
After immediately jumping in and playing one doubles match, a stream of people kept coming up to wish Charles a happy birthday, sharing cards, hugs and handshakes. The club was buzzing with pickleball action and at courtside there was food, drinks and birthday treats like carrot cake.
“He’s an amazing man,” said his 85-year-old friend Adrian Mikulicich. “He’s got a great heart and a great attitude.”
Wylie couldn’t quite believe that everyone showed up to celebrate him and joked that pickleball people in Rancho Santa Fe just love a good party. He hoped to play in at least four games on his birthday.
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