Rob Pease and Mark Leuders Best CT Men's Shoreline B

Rich Goldfeder
January 20, 2014
Essex, CT

The weather forecast was ominous for this year's event with monsoon-like weather predicted. Mother Nature was very kind to us for some of the six hours. We finished the first three rounds before the skies opened up. Play was halted at the various venues as lightning passed over our region. The event finished while most everyone was enjoying some ice-cold Red Hook Audible Ale in the hut along with the now traditional magnum of Patron Silver.

The day started with half of the number one seed MIA—where’s Varun? Phil Johnson quickly filled in with John Bauman. They were cruising toward the finals until they came up against Craig Waddington and Brad Hoffman in the first semifinal. The delayed schedule forced the Essex team to default in the third set. (Wiley Johnson needed his dad to coach his basketball game!)

The second semifinal went to three sets. Rob Pease and Mark Leuders, from The Truck Stop in Massachusetts, wore down the young guns from New Jersey, James Glen and Alex Woods, 7-5, 2-6, 7-5. The finals were played with consistent rain along with some great paddle. Pease and Leuders were victorious over the Longmeadow team of Waddington and Hoffman in three long sets, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2.

There was more great play in the back draws. Rob Durfee and Phil Vogel outlasted Warner Swain and Dave Nelson, 6-0, 6-4. The Essex teamed waited very patiently for Durf and Vogel as rumor has it the Vogel needed to get his hair just right for the consolation final. Nellie watched Patron shot after shot very enviously!

Glenn Marshall and Matt Arcerio (Team UConn) beat more Jersey Boys, Alex McDonald and Greg Morgan, 6-2, 6-1. In the consolation reprieve, Ben Krysiak and Dave Rogers took down Gary Weiner and Kent Griffiths, 6-7, 6-3, 6-1. As the rain passed and we found Rob Pease's car keys, another great event was in the books. The Jersey Boys rode off to Mohegan promising to be back next year in larger numbers and take the crown.

Thanks to all of you who braved the elements this year. It was another resounding success. It was great to see old paddle friends and meet some new ones.