Racquetballquarterly publication of the Racquetball Association Reporter of Michigan November 2004 Volume XXVII, Issue 1 In This Issue WEST MICHIGAN OPEN BRINGS PROFESSIONAL RACQUETBALL BACK TO MICHIGAN Thoughts from the - Twayne M. Howard President For the first time in over a decade, Professional game style is his tremendous getting ability and Page 2 Racquetball graced the courts of a Michigan amazing power. Jack is Mr. Consistency, and is tournament. And what a show it was. Huge also one of the best “getters” on the Tour. Andy crowds came out to play in the tournament and fought hard, but the disparity in talent was too Junior’s Corner watch the best of the best show their stuff in much to overcome as he lost 11-6, 11-1, 11-6. IRT World Champions this Tier 4 International Racquetball Tour event. Jack’s awesome shot-making ability kept Andy on Over 100 spectators were on hand to watch the run, and on the fly, and on the dive the entire NMRA Champions Saturday morning’s first Pro match and the match, and it proved too much in the end. Page 4 crowds only got bigger throughout the day. The second semifinal pitted Jim Floyd against In the Pro Division, five touring Pros faced off Ruben Gonzalez. This match was a thrilling dis- against eight local players looking to prove their play of high-speed racquetball as both players flew RAM Tournament stuff. The round of sixteen saw only one upset around the court with reckless abandon. The first Schedule as Michigan’s State Open Champion Brandon two games went to “overtime” 12-10, 12-10. Then Page 5 Cortese took out the 5th seeded Pro, Joey Ruben found the answer and switched away from Logan. Brandon safely advanced in three a lob serve to his classic “slicey-dicey” drive serve. games. The other matches had Mike Ander- This seemed to keep Jim off balance and Ruben son advancing past Jason Gorski, Andy rolled to an 11-0 win to advance to the Finals. Court Club Listing Hawthorne advancing past Dale Graham, Jim “Donut in the Semis… Ouch”. Page 6 Floyd advancing past Brent Zimmerman, and Scott Graves advancing past Shannon Kohl The finals featured a classic confrontation be- in a classic five game match that took nearly tween the young kid, on top of his game, his whole two hours to complete. future ahead of him and the veteran, still danger- STATE DOUBLES ous after all these years on the tour. What a great ENTRY FORM The quarterfinals kicked off with another “up- show! It was the first time most of the spectators Page 7 set” as Michigander and past State Champion had gotten to see racquetball at this level and the Jim Floyd dispatched 3rd Seed Eric crowd was loud and supportive all day, inter- Desrochers. Going in, this was the keynote spersed with comments of shock at the awesome match of this round and many felt that Jim could talent they were seeing. There were rallies where get past Eric. Jim did not disappoint as he beat both players covered every corner of the court, the 33rd ranked Pro in three games. The rest each diving to retrieve a great shot from his op- of the round went according to seed. Jack ponent, each get and each shot better than the Huczek, currently #1 on the tour easily defeated last. It was a tremendous display of racquetball tour veteran Mike Anderson in three games. as the game should be played. After an 11-2 blow- Ruben Gonzalez, currently #19 on the tour, out in game one, Ruben decided to get more ag- dropped one game to Scott Graves, and then gressive in two and three. Both games were close allowed Scott only one point in the next three with both players holding small leads with no room games. “Double donut…ouch”. Sorry about for any mistakes. Ruben’s aggressive play, kept that Scott. That’s why they call this 52 year old Jack scrambling, but in the end, it was not enough. Hall of Famer “Superman”. Brandon Cortese’s Jack won games two and three 11-8, 11-8. run ended when he ran into Andy Hawthorne. Brandon took a game from the #43 Pro, but it All of the Pros took time out to talk to the specta- wasn’t enough as Andy cruised into the semis. tors, answer questions, sign autographs and just chat throughout the weekend. The Pros put on a Racquetball Association of Michigan Racquetball The semis kicked off Sunday morning with the tremendous show and provided a great start to a Huczek / Hawthorne match first up. Andy’s (cont. on page 3) THOUGHTS FROM THE PRESIDENT . 2004-05 Wow what a great way to kick off the rac- racquetball gear. Feel free to donate any quetball season! As you read this we will new item you feel of value, and come pre- Board of Directors have completed seven or eight sanctioned pared to bid high or go home. Remember, President tournaments with more adding all the time. it’s for a good cause. It’s good to be back in the heart of the sea- Twayne Howard son with plenty more to look forward to. In other exciting news, we have added sev- (616) 771-0312 eral tournaments since the last edition. No- In this edition of the Racquetball Reporter vember 5-7 Karen Green is hosting the Vice President you’ll find the entry form for State Doubles. Franklin Turkey Shootout. November 12- Jack Huczek Total Sports will host the event again this 14 Jeff Connell is hosting a Benefit Tour- (248) 373-4541 year and we look forward to another full nament at the Lansing MAC. January 7-9 weekend of great doubles fun. Jeff Tloczynski is hosting a tournament at Secretary the OMNI Fitness Club in Muskegon. Janu- Sharon Huczek We will again be hosting a “State of the ary 14-16 Stephanie Winfrey is hosting a (248) 373-5255 State” meeting on Saturday at 7pm. This tournament is Genesys Athletic Club in will be an “open board meeting” where we Grand Blanc. Finally Don Schopieray is Treasurer will have the opportunity to discuss with you hosting a tournament at the Davison Ath- Tom Blakeslee some of the things we’re working on, and letic Club in January or February. As al- (810) 468-2787 you’ll have the opportunity to discuss your ways the best way to keep up on the sched- ideas with the Board. Last year’s event led ule is to check out our website, Board Members to some good discussion and we hope this www.michiganracquetball.net. Feel free to edition will as well. Always remember that add it to you “Favorites” and check it every Felicia Mann we are here to work for you. Use this op- few days. Jack White portunity to give us your feedback on how Karen Green we’re doing. In my last letter, I mentioned our current Lewis Forrest Stephanie Winfrey Board and how exciting it is to be involved Randy Pagels Now, we’re not above bribing you to come with this group. As a natural evolution, sev- Ron Barton to the meeting. At approximately 8:00 pm, eral committees have sprung up working we’re going to host another fundraising on dedicated projects. The Hall of Fame, Webmaster auction of racquetball gear, and just about Web Site, Newsletter, Advertising, Juniors, anything else we can get our hands on. Women, Sanctioning and State Tourna- Randy Pagels This auction will benefit the Michigan Jun- ments are just some of the committees. (313) 235-7965 iors Program and we hope to top last year’s This is in addition to undertaking the re-write total of $1,200. Anyone who was there last of our Constitution and By-Laws. We have Sanctioning Committee year knows that this was fun-filled event changed considerably since the current edi- Felicia Mann with several items garnering heated bidding tions were created, and they are in need of Twayne Howard until the final winner was determined. And updating. If any of these interest you, keep Tom Blakeslee don’t worry, there is something for just about in mind you do not have to be on the Board (810) 468-2787 everyone included. The flip side to that is to contribute, or to come to the meetings. that if you have any items that you feel Junior’s Committee would be popular and are willing to donate Even if you are just curious, you are wel- Karen Green them to the cause, please contact me at come to attend Board meetings. The next Lewis Forrest (616) 771-0312. Last year we auctioned one will be the week of November 29 to off clothing, massages, body care gift bas- work on the State Doubles Draws and will Newsletter kets, meals, and many other items, not just be held at Franklin Athletic Club. If you The Racquetball Reporter would like to attend, please contact me for 321 Village Dr. details. Lansing, MI 48911 [email protected] As always, please feel free to contact me. Or any of the other Board members with The Racquetball Reporter is the official an questions, comment, concern and com- publication of the Racquetball Associa- plaint. We are here to work for you. tion of Michigan (RAM) and is published quarterly. Reproduction in whole or part of any text, photograph, or illustration without the written permission of RAM I wish you all a continued great season! is strictly prohibited.