Meet The Pros - Deb Mascarin

Meet The Pros – Deb Mascarin

Deb Mascarin is an all-around athlete who has fallen in love with the game of pickleball. We are all grateful for this wonderful professional! Enjoy!

Can you list for us your major wins so we can correctly introduce you to our readers?

2019 USAPA Nationals, Women's Skill/Age 5.0:60+ Doubles with Cherie Chao, Gold
2019 Beer City Grand Rapids, Mixed Senior PRO Doubles with Scott Lennon, Gold
2019 USAPA Great Lakes Regional, Mixed Doubles Skill/Age 5.0/60+ with Dan McLaughlin - Bronze
2019 Grand Canyon State Games, Mixed Doubles Sill/Age 5.0/60 with Joe Nguyen - Silver
2018 USAPA Great Lakes Regional, SSIPA Women's Doubles Age SSIPA Mixed Doubles Skill/Age 5.0/60-64 with Dan McLaughlin - Silver
2018 Minto US Open, Women's Doubles age 60+ with Nancy Robertson - Bronze

 What paddle do you play with and why?

My first paddle was from Dick’s. I was in a big hurry to get my first paddle when I tried the game for the first time. Paddletek sponsors me now and I’m a rep too. The first time I played with the Tempest Pro, I fell in love with it. The Tempest Pro is a good performance paddle overall. I’m a tennis player and I like the control this paddle gives me.

What is your pickleball story? How were you introduced to pickleball?

A nurse friend at the hospital where I worked tried to get me to play for a year. I thought pickleball was for old folks, so I put her off. She didn’t give up. She got a court at 9am one day and roped me in to playing. I've been hooked ever since. I found the Lake Shore Club and Mulligan’s Hollow to be helpful, welcoming and inclusive. I’m now on the steering committee for the Beer City tournament in Grand Rapids. There are lots of coaches and USAPA ambassadors in the area too.

I competed in tennis and have coached tennis while the kids were growing up. Now I'm a certified Professional Pickleball PPR Trainer. Sarah Ansboury wrote the training syllabus for PPR and I like her philosophy and style.

Do you like singles or doubles better? Why?

I played singles in tennis at Michigan State, but I prefer high level doubles in pickleball. I started playing just after Simone did. Simone coached me and I went to Lansing, Michigan for a tournament. I loved it!

What is your favorite place to play? Why?

Grand Rapids IS the Pickleball Capitol of Michigan!

What is your day job?

I am a recently retired nurse.

How many hours a week do you play? How do you make time to play?

It depends on if I am teaching that week. I practice with drills 2 or 3 times a week, and teaching add to the hours per week. When I am preparing for a tournament, I play every day.

Do you have any pickleball goals you would like to share?

I have a goal to keep competing at the Super Sr Pro 65+ level.

Anything else you would like to share about your experience being one of the best pickleball players in the world?

I feel very blessed to have been born into an athletic family. Injuries don’t prevent me from playing. I love traveling, chasing the sun and playing with folks along the way. I continue to do free clinics in Spring Lake and on my travels. I love to see the spark in a new player’s eyes once they get it and I am very comfortable teaching the newbies. Pickleball is an amazing sport that keeps me fit. The social world of pickleball is THE BEST!