HEAD/PENN Pro/Am Series 1: Kicks Off
The Season is starting off in great fashion at La Camarilla Racquet Club. Some of the great players from around the country are coming out to play for Pro Seedings. Who will start of the season with the top honors. Come witness some of the best action this weekend at La Camarilla Racquet Club (56th street and Shea).
For more information click on the following links below:
Starting Times
Tournament Information
Tournament Participants
Prize Money
Good luck to all that are playing this weekend. For those who are interested in supporting your favorite player/team. Feel free to come out and view some great racquetball.
GCSG: Was fun and exciting!
Well it’s time to sign up for the Grand Canyon State Game Summer Racquetball Tournament. For those who played in this year’s Winter Games know how much fun it was. This event will be taking place at ASU Student Recreational Center in Tempe, Arizona. You must be an Arizona Resident to participate. Great news, all divisions will be sanctioned!!
To get more information about the tournament, click on 2011 Grand Canyon State Games Summer Racquetball Tournament
Summer Games Postcard 2011
Flagstaff Open: Results are posted!
FLAGSTAFF OPEN: RACQUETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
It’s back and in time for some good foods, prizes and most of all a great social event for everyone one of all ages!! It’s the Flagstaff Open. For those who came out last year, know exactly how you were treated. This year will be no different. For those who enjoy the Gearbox team bus, they will also be there with all the latest items and be able to show you what is coming out for the 2011-12 season. From what I am hearing Gearbox is planning on bring some of the top notch players to the event!! How about that, getting a chance to play against one of the top players in the country!!
Hotel accommodation: Holiday Inn Express is extending their hotel rate for $110 until Monday June 20th (only if rooms are available). Little America has a rate of $125 until Monday as well. Both facilities are exceptional. The only difference is Holiday Inn serves a hot and cold breakfast in the morning that is free to the people that stay.
Ok here is what we have in store for the tournament.
Friday Night
Play starts at 2pm and ends at 8pm
Snacks served
BBQ on the poolside, starts at 5pm and ends at 10pm
(Great BBQ food, salads, and Keg (donation required))
(Games and start of the raffle prize giveaway)
Saturday
Play starts at 8am and goes til 7pm
Breakfast and Hot Lunch will be served at both locations
Party at Jotinis from 7pm until ????
(Food will be served and drink specials throughout the night, Big raffle prizes will be given away)
(Beer Pong, Flip Cup, Putting contest will also win Raffle prizes!!!)
Sunday
Play starts at 8am and goes until 4pm
Breakfast and Hot Lunch will be served at both locations
Raffle Prizes will be given away throughout the day
Big Prize giveaway (all participates of the tournament will have the opportunity to win): Flat Screen TV
Men’s Open Single Finals
We are expecting a much bigger crowd than last year, so for those who like to wait until the last minute to sign up, this tournament will be locked out at 130 participates. There will be prize money for Men’s Open Singles and Doubles, Elites, Men’s 40+ Singles, Men’s 35+ Doubles, Mixed Doubles and Women’s Open Singles. Each division has a required amount of entries for the full purse to be given away.
The motto of this tournament is “Be hungry to win, but leave the tournament will a full stomach!”. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the tournament director, Bobby Ferreira 602.620.0149.
2011 Ektelon Nationals: Great event, exciting venue!!
17 players from Arizona went to the event and competing against some of the best competition in the country. For more information on the players that competed in the event click on the following link.. 2011 Ektelon National Singles Results.
Kane is setting history as he continues he dominance in the sport by winning his 114th straight victory match. His last loss dates back to January of 2009. For more information on the IRT Finals in Fullerton, Ca, go to the IRT-Tour website for the latest information.
ENTRY DEADLINE has been extended without penalty until Saturday May 14th. Sign up now and avoid paying for late fees!!! Click HERE to enter
Ok for those who wanted to see and participate in the best event of the year but never made it to Houston, Texas. Well guess what, the event has moved to Fullerton, California (just under 3 miles away from Disneyland). You now have an excuse to take the family for a vacation, right before Memorial weekend.
This will be a great opportunity to see all of the top IRT Pros and the best amateur players from all over the world all in one location!! There will be no going from one club to another. Everything is under one roof!!! The #1 player in the world Kane Waselenchuk will be going into the tournament with a 100+ match win streak. Could this be the tournament where he comes down? Who will be the one to take him down, will it be Rocky, Jack or even some unknown. The only way you can watch this event is if you are there or have a membership through IRT Network. Be there to witness some of the best racquetball of all levels!
Doesn’t matter what level you play and it doesn’t matter how many years you have been playing, this event is for everyone of all ages and skill levels. For more information about the tournament go to the following sites
There is a contest on which state will enter the most players (differential from last year’s entry). For all of those who are planning on entering, do so and represent Arizona!! Just remember we had a great showing at National Doubles, let’s show it at National Singles. Prove to the country we have the best racquetball participates!!!
CPRT Nationals in Vegas: Completed
A few people from Arizona made it out to the CPRT Nationals event in Vegas (Last year’s semifinalist in the CPRT Event, Louis Vogel, 2011 State Champion, Jason Conway, 2011 Runner-up, Damian Zamorano, 2011 Semifinalist, Bobby Ferreira, Men’s A Champion, Trevor Deason, Victor Sanabria, and Paul Deal). Congratulations to Louis Vogel again on making it to the Semifinals in the CPRT event. Also congratulations to Jason Conway on winning the CPRT 35+ Doubles event.
To get the results of the tournament, click HERE
Here is an article written about the event.
Woody Clouse again proved himself to be the best player on the Classic Pro Racquetball Tour (CPRT) as he won the CPRT Pro Nationals in Las Vegas last weekend by defeating surprise finalist Travis Aldinger, 9-3, 9-4, 9-4, in the final. Clouse won all three CPRT events this season.
Aldinger’s run to the final was impressive as he beat 2nd seed Cliff Swain in the quarter finals, 9-6, 8-9, 1-9, 9-8, 9-7, and beat former US Open champion Jimmy Lowe in the semi-finals, 9-7, 9-8, 9-4.
Clouse got to the final by defeating Louis Vogel, 9-2, 9-2, 1-9, 9-2, in the semi-finals. Vogel had beaten 4th seed Craig Lane in the quarters in five games after only getting one point in the first two games.
Although Clouse won all three CPRT events this season, he did so against three different opponents, beating Mike Ray in Rochester and Jeff Bell at the US Open. Moreover, other than Clouse only Jimmy Lowe made it to the semis in more than two events, so there were 9 different semi-finalists over the three CPRT events this season.
2011 CPRT Pro Nationals, Las Vegas, April 8-10, 2011
Final
Woody Clouse d. Travis Aldinger, 9-3, 9-4, 9-4
Semi finals
Woody Clouse d. Louis Vogel, 9-2, 9-2, 1-9, 9-2
Travis Aldinger d. Jimmy Lowe, 9-7, 9-8, 9-4
Quarter finals
Woody Clouse d. Gerry Price, 9-2, 9-5, 9-6
Louis Vogel d. Craig Lane, 1-9, 0-9, 9-0, 9-8, 9-2
Jimmy Lowe d. Dale Valentine, 7-9, 9-2, 9-1 injury default
Travis Aldinger d. Cliff Swain, 9-6, 8-9, 1-9, 9-8, 9-7
ASU & NAU finished big..Michelle Key wins the Women’s Title!!!
| April 5, 2011 8:00 am | to | April 9, 2011 8:00 am |
ASU Achievements as reported by Head Coach Darrin Schenck
ASU Racquetball has another strong showing at the Intercollegiate Championships
Michelle Key led another strong team of Sun Devil Ladies in this years’ event, and captured the Women’s Intercollegiate Championship title by edging out last year’s champ Sharon Jackson of Alabama. Michelle won in two very closely contested games in the finals, thrilling the hometown crowd with some great shot-making.
The rest of the girls also finished strong, including a semi-final run in the Gold #5 division for Vian Gewaris, and Iza Aguayo and Michelle Key in the #1 doubles.
On the Men’s side, the guys held up well against the competition and finished 6th in the country. With quarterfinal finishes in singles and in doubles, the ASU Men’s team posted their best finish in 5 years. Facing the scholarship talent of the CSU-Pueblo and Alabama teams is never easy, but the guys represented the school well in those tough match ups, as well as providing some exciting wins over the other schools we faced.
The combined efforts of everyone resulted in a 6th place finish overall for the team from ASU, their second highest finish in five years. Although many of this year’s crew is graduating, there is a good core of players returning that offers promise for the next season as well. The site of next years’ event is yet to be determined, but the team will look to travel and back up this year’s great finish with yet another strong showing. Look out for these players in the upcoming local tournament!
A special thanks to Bur Raby, whose tireless effort and generosity should never go overlooked. And to Barry Hendricks, who is in charge of the “Development Squad” portion of the club, and has a few new players ready for next season with a shot to make the team. The team would be lost without these two individuals, and a great many thanks goes out to them.
NAU Achievements as reported by Matt Bond.
NAU Racquetball competed in the National Intercollegiate Racquetball Championships April 5-9, 2011. This is the second time NAU Racquetball attended this tournament consecutively. Last year we had 2 people represent NAU and this year we took 5 people. Last year our team was able to obtain second place in two divisions which was great because it was our first year competing. This year NAU team members Chris Grimh and David Lorenz were able to bring back some medals from the top two divisions and skilled A division. Chris Grimh took 1st place in Men’s #1 seed Blue bracket and 2nd place in Men’s A skilled Gold bracket. David Lorenz took 3rd place in Men’s #2 seed Blue bracket. Everyone on the team played well and we competed in division 1. NAU ended the tournament placing 13th overall in all Men’s teams (which was roughly 40+ other teams). NAU Racquetball team would like to thank ASNAU for their donation to pay for the entire tournament, Gerry Horowitz for lending the team his suburban, and anyone from Arizona who came and showed support for NAU!
To view the tournament results click HERE
The young generation of intercollegiates Racquetballers will be taking the courts this week in Tempe, Az. ASU who has been very competitive in recent years should have a great chance on giving it a run, especially in the Women’s bracket. NAU will have a full Men’s team this year. The reason for this is because of Matt Bond persistent in getting sponsors and players to come out for the program. Darrin Schenk who is not rookie to this scene will have a tough battle in the Men’s division. Darrin who was the head coach, guided the Women’s to their first ever National Title in 2007. This year, Darrin has some pretty good weapons, are they as strong as last year? They have a more consistent and much control of a player in Michelle Key. Iza Aquayo returns as the #2 seed. Ashley Jimenez returns back at the #3 seed, Haydee Cruz the #4 seed, and Vian Gorgis will be the #5 seed. Pretty much this is the same group of girls from last year, so not only are the Lady Devils hungry they are more experienced. The Men’s will have some serious battles waiting ahead of them. Kamran Mosgood will be the teams’ #1 player, Johnny Cheney will be moved up to the #2 slot, Matt Barcellos will be joining the team as their #3, Josh Malmskog is this year’s #4, Steven Mobley will be anchoring the team as the #5 seed. Quincy Lee and Travis West who are in their first year on the team will be competing at the doubles level.
NAU in it’s first full year as a full team, will be coming down with their team sponsor, Rollout Racquetball! Leading the team will be Chris Grimh, David Lorenz is the #2 seed, Matt Bond will be the #3 seed, Rene Ramos will be the #4 seed and Octavio Olivas will be the #5 seed. This should be a great experience for NAU’s racquetball team as Matt Bond has put a lot of effort to get this team together. Wish the Lumberjacks the very best this week!!
A few other notables that are not affiliated to ASU or NAU, Anthony Forbes will be representing University of Phoenix as their #1 seed. Kierstan Lurcott, who lives in Scottsdale, but will be representing the University of Connecticut.
Some of the teams that will be heavy favorites going into this week. Colorado State (Pueblo), Alabama, Oregon State, Baldwin Wallace and Brigham Young
To all the intercollegiate players that will be playing this week, Good Luck and represent your school with Pride!! The event is going to be played at the Arizona State Student Recreation Center, Tempe, Az.
No Strings Attached Open: Tucson, Az: April 22nd -24th
| April 22, 2011 5:00 pm | to | April 24, 2011 5:00 pm |
For those who are looking for great competition and excitement, this is a great opportunity to get your game on!! Tim Burke and Matthew Koop will be running this event at Tucson Racquet and Fitness Club located in Tucson, Arizona. To sign up for the event or gather more information about the event, click HERE.
3 Board members retained, 1 new board member voted in!!
Thanks to the 56 voters that placed their votes. Three board members remained on board (Michael Franks Jr., Kent Hostenpiller and Bobby Ferreira), while 1 new board member was voted in, Chris Jorgenson. In case you didn’t know, Darrin Schenk stepped down from the board and has decided to take on a new role for the state of Arizona. He will be in charge of player development and education of the sport at all levels (ranging from juniors, high school, all the way to collegiate level). Currently, Darrin is the head coach for the A.S.U racquetball team. In less than a week, April 6th – 9th, the mighty Sun Devils will be taking on the finest college level racquetball players from all over the country. If you are interested in viewing the action, go to the ASU Student Recreation Center. You can also find links to the tournament on the front page of RBinAZ.com.
Chris Jorgenson, has been part of the growth of racquetball here in the state of Arizona for over 10 + years. He is currently employed by Applebees and is the store manager for one of the divisions. He also served on the board for AZRA. Chris’s experience will help not only grow the sport here in the valley/state but also serve to the players as a direct interaction to the board. Chris has a very well rounded game, he also has line judge and referee some of the top games in the state (including National Doubles and State Single Finals).
Otto referee clinic: Learn from the best!!
How many of you racquetballers, want to know why a penalty hinder was or wasn’t called during that rally? Do you know what the red dotted line going from left wall to the right wall is for? How many of you know the ruling on a screen serve on the second serve? What is the definition or ruling on a “wet-ball”? Well during RPAA State Singles Championships, you can ask those questions and learn more about the game of racquetball.
During the State Singles Championship weekend, Otto Dietrich, will be conducting a referee’s clinic free of charge. Much of what is taught can be applied towards becoming a certified referee. You will earn “rules clinic credit”!
The clinic will start Saturday at 2pm and go for one hour. This is not only a clinic for those who want to become a certified referee, this clinic is for every player, coach or spectator of the game that wants to know more about the game. Otto has seen it all and probably has heard it all, so don’t be bashful at asking any questions. The clinic is for all levels of racquetballers and racquetball spectators!!!
If you are interested in attending the clinic, please be sure to sign up at the tournament desk. There will be a sign-up sheet at the tournament desk. If you are going to attend the clinic, please be sure to print out the rulebook from this website. USRA RACQUETBALL RULES. One requirment for the clinic is to bring a pencil and paper.
This is a great opportunity for every racquetball enthusiast!! Whether the question is about Singles or Doubles, Otto will cover it all!
This kind of opportunity doesn’t come around very often, so please be sure to sign-up at the tournament desk!!!