Cross-Border Pairings Take Titles in Canadian Open and Help Raise $2000 for Cancer Community

SUZANNE LANTHIER
APRIL 15, 2011
TORONTO, CANADA

At the official season ending tournament in Canada, Americans teamed with Canadians to take both Men’s and Women’s titles. For the first time, this event took a charitable slant in honour of those paddlers, past and present, who face the realities of cancer every day including and especially APTA President, Tim McAvoy.

Event sponsors - PT Pro Balls (www.ptproballs.com), Steamwhistle Breweries (www.steamwhistle.ca), Iceberg Vodka (www.icebergvodka.com), and The Longest Yard (www.thelongestyardrestaurant.com) were recognized in helping to raise funds to support individuals living with cancer and their families through programs and services offered at Wellspring (www.wellspring.ca).

The Joe Stulac Memorial Trophy was presented to Paul Stulac (Toronto) and his partner, Scott McFaden (Pittsburgh) who won a decisive straight set match - 6-4, 6-1 - over Mike Stulac and Andrew Daw. Paul and Scott see their name on this coveted award for the second time since its official naming. Together, the brothers Stulac and their respective partners have won the trophy 6 out of 9 years – named in honour of their father who was a leader in the paddle community who was also a cancer fighter.

The Women’s event was also a 6-4, 6-1 victory that saw Sandra Odenbach (Rochester) and Suzanne Lanthier (Toronto) defeat an all-Canadian squad - Anna Lis and Stephanie Russell.

Men's Draw   Women's Draw

A CAN-AM pairing also took Men’s B title -  Rochesterian John (Prince William) Newell and Andrew Corneil of Toronto teamed up to beat Dan Dupak and Derek Johnston of Toronto.

Party winner status was handed to Rita Kladstrup, who set it as her mission to not come in #2 as she had done in January. Wedge Party host restaurant “The Longest Yard” has now re-filled its tequila supply in advance of the next tournament in November.

Tournament organizers wish to thank all participants and donors to the raffle including the sponsors as well as Fritz Odenbach and the Rochester players, the Kingsway Platform Tennis Club, The Gallagher Family, Lindsay Service. Special shout out to Will Reinhardt – official BBQer and a 2-time cancer warrior!! See you next paddle season!