MEET OUR PICKLEBALL INSTRUCTORS
Our teaching instructors provide individual and small group lessons as well as clinics.
An amazing player and an even more amazing coach, Morgan Evans is a pickleball pioneer. In 2017, he became the first Professional Tour Pickleball Coach in the history of pickleball. Morgan has gone on to coach some huge names, like Tyson McGuffin, and has played a crucial role in growing pickleball into what it is today. Morgan doesn't just coach, he practices what he preaches; Morgan became a pro player in 2016 and has been a top doubles player ever since. Evans was a pioneer for the spin serve that later became popularized by Zane Navratil before becoming illegal in 2023.
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.
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.
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.
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. 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.
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. 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.
Vicki Cesario is starting her third season at PDR. She has been teaching pickleball for 6 years and is a PPR Certified Professional. Vicki enjoys working with all skill levels 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 close to 10 years of tournament experience, competing at 4.0-5.0 skill levels. She will be teaching mostly at Shadow Mountain Resort with limited time at PDR this season.
My name is Brian Thieme, I started playing tennis at the age of 4 and continued through my college years. After a brief break in competition, I found pickleball and fell in love with it. I started playing 7 years ago and have been coaching for the past 4. I have played in numerous 5.0 and pro brackets since starting my pickleball career and have been a sponsored Selkirk player for 6 of my 7 years. As much as I enjoy the tournament scene and competing, teaching is what I find the most rewarding, I enjoy using my 26 years of tennis experience along with my 7 years of pickleball to help others reach their goals and their potential. Looking forward to seeing you all out there working on your game, laughing and having fun.
Entering his third year coaching pickleball at PDR, Rich Love runs weekly clinics with his wife Ann for students interested in the fun of learning with a group of similar players. A former collegiate multi-sport athlete, he discovered pickleball about 10 years ago, and has been in love with the sport ever since. Rich also has tournament experience along with medals at the US Open and Nationals. From beginners to budding stars, Rich can help you increase your skills and win more games. Rich is a PPR Certified Professional teaching professional. Whether private lessons, private groups or clinics Rich is looking forward to helping you with your pickleball journey.
Ann Love has been involved in the pickleball community for over 10 years. She started off taping courts at Bobby Riggs Tennis Club and eventually brought her whole family into this up and coming, intergenerational sport. This will be Ann’s 4th year teaching at PDR and 2nd year as a PPR Certified Coach. You usually find Ann instructing alongside her husband, Rich, during clinics, lessons, and the Friday night mixer. Ann’s focus this year will be a unique approach to coaching. Focusing beyond just technique, she will provide a holistic approach to pickleball with tips, suggestions, rules, etiquette, how to both approach recreational and tournament game play along with other strategies and suggestions. We all strive to be better players, a wise and competitive opponent, and being that partner everyone wants on the court. It starts with understanding court dynamics and gamesmanship and Ann is here to help.
Ivan Da Silva - is an athlete at heart who fully converted into pickleball as an advanced player and is currently a certified professional coach. Da Silva is an immigrant born and raised in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. In 2007, Da Silva left his country to pursue his Cybersecurity career in the US where he now works for one of the largest investment and banking companies in the US. Aside from his cybersecurity background, Da Silva has been an avid swimmer, and weightlifter with background in sports performance as a former USA weightlifting coach.
Da Silva was introduced to pickleball in 2017 by a close friend and quickly lost all his matches badly to a 73 y.o. player and his partner at a park in Palm Springs, CA. It was humbling. Da Silva has been a student of the game ever since and he has earned his stripes by playing 3.5 to 5.0 rated tournaments and finally to professional qualifiers in a span of six years. Because of his diverse background in his prior sports, he can quickly identify specific needs for each unique student. His coaching style is engaging, entertaining, and specialized for a diverse range of abilities.
Da Silva is a passionate coach with his heart and soul invested in his students. Da Silva is also an entrepreneur and CEO of “KleverPB”, a pickleball and wellness training venture.
Coach Ivan is looking forward to partaking in your journey to achieve your pickleball goals. Let’s Go!
Da Silva was introduced to pickleball in 2017 by a close friend and quickly lost all his matches badly to a 73 y.o. player and his partner at a park in Palm Springs, CA. It was humbling. Da Silva has been a student of the game ever since and he has earned his stripes by playing 3.5 to 5.0 rated tournaments and finally to professional qualifiers in a span of six years. Because of his diverse background in his prior sports, he can quickly identify specific needs for each unique student. His coaching style is engaging, entertaining, and specialized for a diverse range of abilities.
Da Silva is a passionate coach with his heart and soul invested in his students. Da Silva is also an entrepreneur and CEO of “KleverPB”, a pickleball and wellness training venture.
Coach Ivan is looking forward to partaking in your journey to achieve your pickleball goals. Let’s Go!
Chiron Burl is a PPR Certified Pickleball Coach. He is currently competing in pickleball tournaments at the Pro level. Chiron began his pickleball journey three years ago on the courts at PDR. He came to pickleball with no racket background as a 2.5 player and is currently a 5.5 level player. Chiron’s background as a volleyball player and avid chess player has impacted his unique perspective on teaching. He focuses beginners on learning the fundamentals required to get into the sport, intermediates on the mechanics and skills he himself learned to improve, and advanced players on the strategies and techniques he uses to win 5.0 tournaments and play in professional events. Most importantly, he makes sure every lesson is fun, energetic, and every student leaves having learned something new.