Barbara Lawlor, Nederland. There is nothing quite as pleasing as the thwonk when a tennis racquet hits the ball in its sweet spot and torpedoes it  across the net. Nederland area tennis players have anticipated hearing that sound and feeling the connection all spring, and last Saturday, the Nederland Tennis Courts were officially opened for the summer.

This year, however, in addition to the thwonk sound, there was a ponk sound—that of a pickle ball paddle connecting with the harder ball, not the fuzzy tennis ball.

Anybody purchasing a season pass for the tennis courts is automatically signed up for the pickle ball courts this year. A season pass also includes group sessions and access to a back board and ball thrower.

The new Mountain Tennis and Pickle Ball Association welcomes both the long and short racquet players.

The Nederland Tennis Courts were created in 2007 when the skating rink was built, making it a summer/winter recreation facility. One of the founding tennis members, Dallas Masters, says that the average life of a court is about six or seven years, and the Ned courts are showing their age. Large worn-off spots are indication of slowly deteriorating surfaces in need of re-coating.

Masters says the association is going after a GOCO grant to help with $5,000 to $6,000 per court price tag on the resurfacing.

Saturday morning tennis clinics, a chance to work on skills and play with others, will begin this week and continue through October 31. Women’s Tuesday Happy Hour Clinic begins on June 9, 5 to 6:30 p.m. Pickle Ball will also be available on Saturday mornings.

Single passes are $10 a month for all ages.