
Ben Johns nearly struck by stray golf ball in Newport Beach
There are several terms that one might hear on a pickleball court.
‘0-0-2,’ ‘ATP,’ ‘Erne,’ and ‘Bert,’ are just a few, but ‘Fore!’ might need to be added to the list after a bizarre moment from last week’s SXY Newport Beach Open.
During a timeout in the second game of the men’s doubles semifinal between Ben Johns/Gabe Tardio and Federico Staksrud/Andrei Daescu, an errant golf ball came flying in from a nearby course and nearly struck an unsuspecting Johns at full speed.
Despite the near brush with disaster, Johns didn’t let the moment impact his play as he and Tardio closed out their victory a few minutes later.
“I was only thinking, ‘Somebody’s worse at golf than I am,’” he told Pickleballtv’s Ireland Horvat afterwards. “I mean, that green is pretty far away.”
Johns would go on to finish his week with gold medals in both men’s doubles and mixed doubles.
Now, the 26-year-old is in Dallas for this week’s Veolia Texas Open presented by Proton.
And, fortunately for him, there aren’t any golf courses near the venue.
Related articles

Nina Alshon reflects on son's success: 'I love to see him happy and enjoying the whole journey'
Christian Alshon’s biggest fan is definitely his mom.
10 minutes ago
-Victoria Radnothy

3 things to watch for on Wednesday at PPA Texas
Tama Shimabukuro and Yuta Funemizu will be looking to make another deep run this week after a quarterfinal appearance last month in Cape Coral.
5 hours ago
-Will Daughton

Anna Leigh Waters to make international debut at PPA Tour Asia's MB Hanoi Cup
Waters will compete alongside Anna Bright and Ben Johns in the Vietnam capital in early April.
18 hours ago
-Will Daughton

3 things to watch for on Tuesday at PPA Texas
Catherine Parenteau will return to action in the Lone Star State after not competing at last week's event in Newport Beach, CA.
1 day ago
-Will Daughton