SaddleBrooke Ranch in Oracle, Arizona, is a premier 55+ active adult community known for its blend of
luxury living, natural beauty, and vibrant lifestyle. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Santa
Catalina Mountains and the high Sonoran Desert, the community offers residents a serene environment
with dramatic mountain vistas in nearly every direction. SaddleBrooke Ranch features finely crafted
single-family homes built from 2008 to the present, offering a wide range of modern designs.
Amenities play a central role in daily life at SaddleBrooke Ranch. The 40,000-square-foot Ranch House
serves as a social hub, providing a ballroom, full-service grill, private dining areas, and outdoor
terraces. Residents also enjoy the La Hacienda Club, which includes an outdoor resort-style pool,
indoor lap pool, fitness center, aerobics studio, arts and crafts spaces, spa, salon, pickleball and bocce
courts, and a tennis complex with a lighted stadium court.

Beyond amenities, SaddleBrooke Ranch fosters a warm and engaging community with abundant
opportunities to pursue new interests or deepen existing hobbies. Its location near Tucson offers
convenient access to shopping, dining, cultural attractions, and outdoor recreation, including Oracle
State Park and the Arizona Trail.

Combining luxurious resort-style living with an active, friendly atmosphere, SaddleBrooke Ranch stands
out as one of Arizona’s most desirable destinations for adults seeking an enriched and fulfilling lifestyle
in a stunning desert setting.

Contact Douglas Sedam Owner/Broker of SBRanchRealty.com to get more information about this incredible community by calling him at 520.829.5219 #1.

The 2026 Tucson Jazz Festival, running from January 16–24, is gearing up to deliver one of its most dynamic and eclectic celebrations yet. Spanning multiple downtown venues—including the Rialto Theatre, Club Congress, The Century Room, La Rosa, The Grand Tucson, Fox Tucson Theatre, and the Paul and Alice Baker Center—the festival continues its tradition of bringing world‑class jazz to Southern Arizona.

This year’s lineup highlights a compelling blend of jazz legends, innovative composers, and international rising stars. Among the most anticipated performers is genre‑bending guitarist Cory Wong, whose high‑energy blend of funk, jazz, and groove promises an unforgettable live experience. Also headlining is the incomparable Dee Dee Bridgewater, joined by eminent pianist Bill Charlap, offering audiences a rare opportunity to hear two acclaimed artists share the stage.

The festival also showcases deeply creative tributes and collaborations. Pianist Emmet Cohen will present Miles and Coltrane at 100, an homage to two titans of jazz history. Master mandolinist Hamilton de Holanda brings his virtuosic Brazilian jazz stylings for a special event performance, while trumpeter Terell Stafford and saxophonist Braxton Cook each return with sold‑out shows that reflect their devoted followings.

Local and Latin influences also shine brightly. Sergio Mendoza & Friends join forces with the Tucson Latin Jazz Orchestra, blending vibrant rhythms and Tucson’s own multicultural musical spirit.

One of the festival’s signature events, the Downtown Jazz Fiesta, returns on January 19 as a free, all‑day outdoor celebration featuring national and local artists. This year, New Orleans–inspired ensemble Cha Wa headlines with its powerful mix of brass‑band energy and Mardi Gras Indian traditions.

With its mix of legends, innovators, global influences, and community‑driven programming, the 2026 Tucson Jazz Festival promises an immersive, spirited journey through the many voices of jazz—making it a must‑attend event for enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

Wine Club of SBR:   Home – Wine Club of SBR

We welcome all fans of wine!   We offer a wide variety of events to members including Mixers, Education, Tastings, and Dinners.

Club of SaddleBrooke Ranch:   Home – Mixology Club of SaddleBrooke Ranch

Our club serves as a platform for members to explore the art of mixology, learn about different spirits and ingredients, and indulge in unique flavor combinations.

SaddleBrooke Ranch National Parks Club:

The SBR National Parks Club is a social organization for SaddleBrooke Ranch residents. The club’s mission is to provide networking; educational and visitation opportunities related to America’s National Park System.

Travel Talk Tuesday:

This club meets on the last Tuesday of the month at 3:30 pm in the La Mesa/La Montana rooms. Different people from SBR present their travel adventures from around the world. We look forward to you joining us for future travel presentations! There is no cost to join.

SaddleBrooke Ranch Hiking Club:    SBR Hiking Club

The SBR Hiking Club promotes safe and enjoyable hiking opportunities for all Ranch residents, offering variety of hikes led by volunteer guides.

Go to The SaddleBrooke Ranch Roundup on this website to see more information on the many Clubs here at the Ranch!

 

 

Pro Shop Schedule Pro Shop Hours: – Open thirty minutes before the first tee time and one hour before shotguns. The pro-shop closes at 4:30pm. Pro shop staff will carry the pro-shop cell phone (520-561-1196) until 5:00.

Staff is available until one hour before sunset.

First tee time: January 1– 31: 8:00am

Last tee time: January 1-31: 4:30pm

Shotguns: 8:00/1:00

Rate Periods: January 1-31:

Prime 8:00 – 11:22

Midday 11:30 – 1:22

Twilight 1:30 – 3:22

Super Twilight 3:30 – Sunset

Free Monthly Golf Clinic:

Every month Mike and Ken will conduct a free golf clinic. All residents and their guests are welcome to attend, and there is no cost. Please sign up in the Pro Shop. The staff have a book behind the counter with all the scheduled clinics that you can sign up for. You are welcome to attend as often and as many as you like! The clinics will cover basic techniques and mechanics of each topic. Our golf clinics are great for learning a new skill or brushing up a skill that needs some work. The next clinic will be in January and will cover putting. It will be held on Monday, January 26th at 2:00pm at the practice putting green. Please see your Chelsea home page event calendar for the full clinic schedule.

Changes Coming in January to #16 Beginning in January 2026:

The area directly right of the right side of the cart path on the sixteenth hole will be changed from a red penalty area to out of bounds. This change was decided upon after over two years of discussion and review of data by Robson management, local residents, and the Greens Committee. The right side of #16 has always been out of bounds (as indicated by the residential property line), but it was determined that moving the OB to the right side of the cart path would provide a higher margin of space to help reduce the frequent and consistently higher than normal occurrence of golf balls entering, and causing damage to, several properties in that area of the golf hole.

Discover the SaddleBrooke Ranch Pickleball Club – Where Fun Meets Fitness!

Looking for an active, social, and exciting way to stay fit? Welcome to the SaddleBrooke Ranch
Pickleball Association (SBRPA)—the fastest-growing sport in our community and one of the most
vibrant clubs in Oracle, Arizona!

Why Join Us?
Pickleball isn’t just a game—it’s a lifestyle! At SBRPA, you’ll find:- 24 State-of-the-Art Courts: Play on one of the largest and best-equipped pickleball complexes in Southern Arizona.  All Skill Levels Welcome: Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned competitor, we have lessons, clinics, and play formats for everyone.  Social & Competitive

Play: Enjoy drop-in sessions, round robins, leagues, and USAPA-sanctioned
tournaments.  Community Connection: Meet new friends, join social events, and become part of a thriving, active
community.

Membership Benefits
For just $30 per year, you’ll unlock:  Court Reservations through our easy online system.  Access to Lessons & Clinics for skill improvement.  Exclusive Member Events including socials and tournaments.  Competitive Opportunities with intercommunity matches.  Club Merchandise to show off your pickleball pride.

Who Can Join?
Membership is open to SaddleBrooke Ranch residents and renters. If you play three or more times
during club sessions, membership is required.

Ready to Get Started?
Joining is simple! Visit Home – SaddleBrooke Ranch Pickleball Association  and click ‘Become a Member’ to sign up today. SaddleBrooke Ranch Pickleball Club isn’t just about the game—it’s about building friendships, staying active, and having fun. Don’t miss out—join the fastest-growing sport in America right here in your backyard

Inside the PPA Tour: The Premier Pickleball League

The Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour has rapidly become the pinnacle of competitive pickleball, attracting the sports top athletes and millions of fans worldwide. Founded by Connor Pardoe and headquartered in Draper, Utah, the PPA Tour organizes 26
major events annually across the United States, culminating in the prestigious PPA Finals in San Clemente, California. Only the top eight singles players and doubles teams qualify for this
season-ending showdown, making every tournament critical for ranking points.

The league features five main divisions: Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Mens Doubles, Women’s Doubles, and Mixed Doubles, with a point-based ranking system determining seedings and qualifications.

Stars like Ben Johns, Anna Leigh Waters, and Tyson McGuffin
dominate headlines, while rising talents such as Gabriel Tardio and Christian Alshon are shaking up the leaderboard.

Recent highlights include record-breaking attendance at the Jenius Bank Pickleball World Championships, signaling pickleballs explosive growth. Upcoming stops on the 2025 to 2026 calendar include marquee events like the Daytona Beach Open, PPA Masters, and the Indoor National Championships, ensuring fans have plenty of action to look forward to.

With its mix of elite competition, fan engagement, and global reach, the PPA Tour is not just a league it’s the driving force behind pickleballs evolution into a mainstream sport. For live coverage, rankings, and tickets, visit ppatour.com.

 

Golf in December

December 2025 The holidays are in full swing, the weather is fantastic, and the New Year is just around the corner! My staff and I wish all you happy holidays and all the best in 2026. Stay in tune with the Forecaddie to keep up to date with everything Pro Shop and golf course related. In the following sections, you will find all the information relating to this month in golf, as well as contact information for our golf associations and our Greens Committee.

Pro Shop Schedule Pro Shop Hours – Open thirty minutes before the first tee time and one hour before shotguns. The pro shop closes at 4:30pm. Pro shop staff will carry the pro shop cell phone (520-561-1196) until 5:00. Staff is available until one hour before sunset.

• First tee time: December 1– 31: 8:00am
• Last tee time: December 1-31: 4:30pm
• Shotguns: 8:00/1:00

Rate Periods: December 1-31:

• Prime 8:00 – 11:22
• Midday 11:30 – 1:22
• Twilight 1:30 – 3:22
• Super Twilight 3:30 – Sunset

Free Monthly Golf Clinic Every month Mike and Ken will conduct a free golf clinic. All residents and their guests are welcome to attend, and there is no cost. Please sign up in the Pro Shop. The staff have a book behind the counter with all the scheduled clinics that you can sign up for. You are welcome to attend as often and as many as you like! The clinics will cover basic techniques and mechanics of each topic. Our golf clinics are great for learning a new skill or brushing up on a skill that needs some work. The next clinic will be in December and will cover the full swing. It will be held on Monday, December 15th at 2:00pm at the driving range tee. Please see your Chelsea home page event calendar for the full clinic schedule.

Contact Information

• Pro shop: 520-818-6403
• After Hours Cell: 520-561-1196
• Mike Jahaske: mike.jahaske@robson.com
• Ken Steinke: steinke@robson.com
• Golf Maintenance: 520-600-8797

Aaron Thomas: aaron.thomas@robson.com

Chelsea: https://sbranch.chelseareservations.com Your Chelsea home page has access to tee times and events as well as the golf event and maintenance calendars, special event news, rate sheets and annual/play card applications, seasonal daily frost delay info and golf starting times, and Greens Committee minutes.

• SBRMGA: sbrmga.com
• BRWGA: sbrwga.com
• SBR Lady Niners: sbrladyniners@yahoo.com
• SBR Ranchette Putters: vickiethomson@hotmail.com
• Greens Committee: SBRGreens@gmail.com

SaddleBrooke Ranch Golf Pro Shop will be holding a BIG 2025 HOLIDAY – Christmas Sale on most all times from December 8th-14th with layaways allowed on December 7th.

Everything is 15-90% with added discounts already in place!

Pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington by three friends: Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum. They created the game as a fun, family-friendly activity using a badminton court, ping-pong paddles, and a perforated plastic ball. Over time, they developed rules that blended elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, making pickleball unique and accessible for all ages.

The name pickleball has two popular origin stories, but the most widely accepted one is tied to rowing:

1. The “Pickle Boat” Story (Most Credible)
   Joel Pritchard’s wife, Joan, coined the name in 1965 because the game reminded her of a pickle boat in crew racing—a boat made up of leftover rowers from other teams. Since pickleball was created using leftover equipment from badminton, ping-pong, and other sports, the metaphor fit perfectly. Historical records and family statements confirm this version as the true origin.
2. The Dog Story (A Popular Myth)
   Another tale claims the game was named after the Pritchard family dog, Pickles, who supposedly chased balls during play. However, the dog didn’t join the family until 1968—three years after the game was invented and named—so this story is considered a myth.

 

Understanding Pickleball Player Ratings

Pickleball’s rapid growth has brought a need for standardized player ratings to ensure fair competition and help players track their progress. Ratings serve as a benchmark for skill level, guiding tournament placement, league play, and even casual matchups. Here’s an overview of the main systems and what they mean.

Why Ratings Matter

Ratings prevent mismatched games by grouping players of similar ability. They also provide a roadmap for improvement, allowing players to set goals and measure progress objectively.

Common Rating Systems

1. Self-Rating (1.0–5.5+)
   • Based on USA Pickleball skill definitions.
   • Players assess themselves using checklists (e.g., consistency in dinks, third-shot drops, court positioning).
   • Ideal for beginners and recreational play.
2. UTPR (USA Pickleball Tournament Player Rating)
   • Official system for USA Pickleball-sanctioned tournaments.
   • Uses match results from sanctioned events.
   • Scale: roughly 1.0 to 6.0+.
   • Focused on tournament performance rather than casual play.
3. DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating)
   • The most widely adopted global system.
   • Scale: 2.00 to 8.00, covering beginners to elite professionals.
   • Algorithm considers:
     • Match outcomes and score differentials.
     • Opponent strength.
     • Recency and frequency of play.
   • Includes recreational, league, and tournament matches.
   • Recognized internationally and used by major tours.

Skill Level Breakdown

• 1.0–2.5: Learning rules, basic strokes, short rallies.
• 3.0–3.5: Developing strategy, consistent serves, basic resets.
• 4.0–4.5: Confident execution, strategic shot selection, teamwork.
• 5.0+: Tournament-level play, advanced spins, minimal unforced errors.
• 6.0–8.0 (DUPR): Professional and elite competitors.

How to Get Rated

• Self-Rate: Use USA Pickleball’s skill checklist.
• DUPR: Download the app, log match results, or play in DUPR-tracked events.
• UTPR: Participate in USA Pickleball-sanctioned tournaments.

Bottom Line: Whether you’re a casual player or aiming for pro-level competition, understanding your rating helps you find the right opponents and improve your game. For most players, starting with self-rating and moving to DUPR for verified results is the best path forward. [dupr.com], [pickletip.com], [pickleheads.com], [pickleballunion.com]