Thomasville GA
Pickleball Association

Herb Williams - President

USA Pickleball Ambassador

Herb began playing pickleball in 2018 after a friend invited him to try the game, and he has been enjoying it ever since. Not long after, the USA Pickleball Ambassador for Georgia encouraged him to become the Ambassador for Thomas County, a role he proudly accepted. In 2020, Herb organized a local tournament and established the Thomasville Pickleball Association to help manage sponsorships and support the sport’s growing popularity in the area.

For Herb, pickleball is both fun and a great way to stay active. Serving as an Ambassador has allowed him to meet players from across the state and country, while locally he’s found a welcoming and enthusiastic community. He often hears that Thomasville is one of the friendliest places to play, and he takes pride in helping foster that reputation.

He believes additional courts would make the local experience even better. Through the Thomasville Pickleball Association, now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Herb is helping to grow the sport through ladder leagues, tournaments, community events, and youth outreach. Looking ahead, he envisions continued growth in the number of players, new opportunities for tournaments, and even greater community involvement in the years to come.

Greer Cox – Vice President

Chair, Facilities & Court Management Committee

Greer began playing pickleball in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, when so many activities were limited. Her husband painted a court on their driveway, and before long, neighbors were gathering to learn and play together. What started as a simple way to stay active and connected soon became a true passion. After retiring in 2022, Greer began playing at other courts and became an active part of the local pickleball community.

For Greer, one of the best parts of pickleball is how it brings people together. The game has reunited her with old friends and introduced her to new ones across generations. She also loves that pickleball can be played almost anywhere, even when traveling, and that you can simply show up at a court and join a game without needing a partner.

She believes Thomasville’s pride in its parks, landscapes, and community spirit makes it the perfect place for a dedicated pickleball complex. Greer envisions a facility where players of all levels can play comfortably, learn from one another, and continue to grow the sport together. Her hope is that such a complex will bring families and friends together, encourage more people to take up the game, and strengthen the sense of connection that makes Thomasville so special.

Gordon Van Mol - Treasurer

Chair, Membership Committee

Gordon began playing pickleball in 2023 while living in the mountains of Rabun County, Georgia, after a member of his men’s Bible study invited him to join a game. From that first day, he was hooked. The Rabun County Recreation Department had nine indoor courts across three gymnasiums, giving him plenty of chances to play and improve. When Gordon and his wife moved to Thomasville, he quickly joined the morning play at the middle school courts, where he now plays three to four times a week.

For him, pickleball is the perfect mix of fitness, fun, and friendship. Unlike solo workouts, the game offers a lively social atmosphere where players of all ages and backgrounds come together. Gordon enjoys the camaraderie and welcoming spirit that define the Thomasville pickleball community, as well as how easy and affordable the sport is for newcomers.

He believes that local pickleball could be even better with a Pickleball 101 program to introduce new players and regularly scheduled league play to build consistency and connection. As the game continues to grow across Georgia, Gordon hopes to see additional courts built in Thomasville to meet the rising demand. His long-term vision is for Thomasville to become a regional hub for tournaments, drawing players and visitors from across the Southeast and helping support the local economy.

VACANT POSITION - Secretary

VACANT POSITION

Lang Flowers, III - At-Large Board Member

Chair, Finance & Sponsorship Committee

Lang began playing pickleball about four years ago after friends encouraged him to give it a try and promised it would be addicting in the best way. They were right. From his very first game, he enjoyed the combination of competition, strategy, and pure fun. What started as something new to try quickly became a regular part of his weekly routine and a meaningful way to meet people in the community he might not otherwise have crossed paths with.

What Lang appreciates most about pickleball is the welcoming nature of the Thomasville community. Players genuinely want each other to improve, enjoy the game, and feel included. There is always someone willing to jump into a match, offer encouragement, or share a laugh. The sense of camaraderie and connection is what keeps him coming back to the courts again and again.

Lang believes that having more dedicated pickleball courts would make play in Thomasville even better. As the sport continues to grow, additional facilities designed specifically for pickleball would reduce crowding during busy times and create more opportunities for leagues, clinics, and community events. Looking ahead, Lang hopes to see Thomasville become a true regional hub for the sport, with strong leagues, youth programs, and tournaments that draw players from across the Southeast. Most of all, he wants pickleball to continue bringing people together across different ages, backgrounds, and skill levels, reflecting the inclusive spirit that makes the game so special.