Barbara Wise has been involved in pickleball since 2014 - playing, competing, teaching and coaching. She has earned multiple medals in tournaments. She won the Triple Crown at the 2022 Pickleball Nationals winning Gold medals in Singles 4.5, Women’s Doubles 5.0, and Mixed Doubles 5.0. She is a former tennis player and competed in Junior Tennis and in College Tennis at UC Davis. Prior to pickleball, she taught and coached tennis for many years. Barbara is a PPR Certified Professional Pickleball Coach. She enjoys helping players of all levels improve their PB games.

Meet Kenny Roy, a Certified National PPR Teaching Professional Coach at Palm Desert Resort. With 2 years of pickleball coaching experience across Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia, and California's PDR, Kenny's journey is nothing short of dynamic. A former football and basketball scholar-athlete at the University of Maryland, College Park, he earned All-American honors in football and secured victories in 3 Conference Championships and 4 Bowl games. Kenny also boasted a professional stint with the New Orleans Saints. As a skilled 5.0 Tennis player, his coaching roots began with his own 4 children, all of whom achieved athletic scholarships in tennis, football, and volleyball. He left an indelible mark by coaching Maryland Special Olympic Adult teams for 5 years. Kenny's emergence in pickleball, just 3 years ago, resulted in a collection of Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals from Local and National Tournaments, including recent triumphs at the Gamma Nationals and the Masters National Tournament. Guided by a deep love for pickleball's community, he's turned this passion into nationwide teaching, emphasizing fundamental strokes, mechanics, and tailored instruction for every student's level.

Mark Bodon has a long background in both tennis and pickleball. His career started as a top junior player in California. He played D1 tennis at Long Beach State, ranking top 20 in the nation. After graduating Long Beach, he went on to play in the National Amateur Tour — ranked number 12th in the nation, then onto the Satellite Tour for 5 years with many wins under his belt. When he retired from the tour, he decided to start his career at the La Quinta Resort as the tennis professional under Mike Casey. He got his pickleball credentials and became a senior pro immediately. We are lucky to have him here at The Courts as one of our pickleball coaches running clinics, mentoring sessions, and private lessons.

Introducing Ralph J. Rabago, a seasoned racquet sport professional whose journey through tennis and pickleball has been nothing short of remarkable. With over 35 years as a USPTA Certified Elite Tennis Professional, his mastery of the tennis court became his signature. Ralph's athletic endeavors led him to the world of pickleball, where he achieved a 5.0  UTPR rating and clinched national medals in 60+, 5.0 categories.  Holding notable titles like PPR Coaching Certification Workshop Clinician, PPR “Professional”, IPTPA Master Teaching Professional, Director, and Certified Rating Specialist-5, Ralph has seamlessly transitioned his teaching and coaching expertise into the realm of pickleball, amassing 8 years of professional experience. As he enters his third year of teaching at PDR, Ralph continues to leave an enduring legacy through his private, semi-private, group sessions, clinics, and practice/drilling sessions.

Jovino discovered pickleball just a few years ago, and it quickly became more than just a sport; it became his passion. What started as a casual game grew into a journey of coaching, competing, and sharing the joy of pickleball with others.

Now in his second year of coaching at PDR, Jovino is an IPTPA certified coach who has also taught at Nike Pickleball Camps, working with players of all ages and skill levels. He enjoys helping beginners learn the fundamentals while guiding experienced players to refine their strategy and skills on the court.

Jovino has accumulated medals at several tournaments at all levels (3.5, 4,0, 4.5, and 5.0). As he recently turned 50, Jovino stepped into senior pro competition, where he continues to challenge himself against top players. This experience at the professional level shapes the way he teaches — blending the insights of a competitor with the encouragement of a coach who truly wants his students to succeed.

Vicki Cesario is a PPR Certified Professional and has been teaching here at The Courts at PDR since 2021. She enjoys working with tournament players 3.5 and above, and gives her students the tools to help them get to the next level. She offers drill clinics, private, semi-private, and group lessons. Vicki has competed in tournaments since 2015 at 4.0-5.0 skill levels. Most recently medaling at 4.5 and 5.0 levels in golden ticket events and at Nationals. Vicki and her husband, who also teaches at PDR —Ralph Rabago, won a silver medal at 2024 Nationals in mixed 5.0, 50+. She will be teaching mostly at our sister club: Shadow Mountain Resort, but will make her schedule available here at The Courts at PDR, as well.