We’ve known for a while that Gerry Turner from The Golden Bachelor is a pickleball addict, and this week on the show, we got to see his co-stars pick up their paddles and strut their stuff on the court.
“Fired-Up”
As part of this week’s group date, Gerry invited Ellen, Sandra, Susan, Nancy, April, Theresa, Kathy, and Faith to play a mini-tournament in front of 100 Bachelor Nation fans at the Westlake Athletic Club, about 35 miles northwest of Los Angeles.
Gerry enlisted the help of Trista Sutter and upcoming “Bachelor” Joey Graziadei for the date.
“I’m fired up today. I get to play pickleball, and I get to spend quality time today with my amazing women. I don’t know what could be better,” Gerry said.
Blue Danube
The team names were imaginative: Susan and Theresa formed “The Purple Picklettes”; Faith and April constituted “The Pinky Dinkies”; Kathy and Ellen, adorned in green, dubbed themselves “The Picklelicious Paddles”; while Sandra and Nancy, in orange, went by “Bitchin’ Kitchen.”
The show started with a clever training montage set to Strauss’ Blue Danube waltz.
Fitness instructor Leslie, aged 64, sat this one out.
“Oh My God”
Following the warm-up, Trista announced a doubles tournament for the women. The victorious team would be featured on the cover of InPickleball magazine alongside Gerry himself. Ellen had obviously heard of the publication if her exclamation of “OH MY GOD!” was anything to go by.
April attempted a return and inadvertently hit her nose with the ball. Susan’s shot went far off target, but Joey commended it with a “Good shot!” anyway. Sandra mentioned she was enjoying herself, albeit performing at what she termed a “C-minus level.”
In one moment of “high” drama, April fell and exclaimed, “I think I hurt my ankle!”
When the Golden Bachelor rushed over to check on her, April waved the other women away and rested her head on his shoulder. “I wanted to do this so good for you,” she whispered with a touch of sorrow.
The other women observed, tinged with a hint of envy. It was evident that April’s injury was not severe. In fact, she confirmed she was “totally fine.”
Two Artificial Knees
Round one favored The Picklettes, but Bitchin’ Kitchen secured the second game after Sandra’s seemingly impossible retrieval shot.
“I want to point out that Sandra is playing with two artificial knees,” Jesse duly noted.
The final match pitted Ellen and Kathy against Sandra and Nancy, delivering a nail-biting climax.
“Stop looking for the woman you can live with and start looking for the woman that you just can’t live without.” What beautiful advice ✨ #TheGoldenBachelor pic.twitter.com/eoVuXFjUQ2
— The Golden Bachelor (@GoldenBachABC) October 20, 2023
Gerry commented, “It’s quite exciting. There’s good, competitive volleys. Momentum goes back and forth.”
Picklelicious Paddles
These seasoned ladies were truly committed to victory, leaving the announcers astounded.
Ultimately, the Picklelicious Paddles emerged triumphant — a fitting outcome given Ellen plays four times a week!
Ellen and Kathy celebrated in true Golden Bachelor style by using the occasion as an excuse to give Gerry a kiss on each cheek!
Let’s hope for more hilarious pickleball action as the season continues!
