Nathan Crick and Randy Lofgren Dominate at the Mehmet Varinli Memorial

December 8, 2018
Charlotte, NC

Draw on Live Scoring

Another year and another great tournament hosted this year by Olde Providence Racquet Club and new co-host Charlotte Racquet Club North.  The weather was, once again, cold with rain turning to sleet.  Once again Ashley Shaw SWORE he was quitting paddle (don’t worry, we will see him again next year).  AND once again, Nathan Crick and Randy Lofgren are the tournament winners. To honor this five out of five feat, the trophy has been rechristened the Crick/Lofgren Cup.  The weather may have deteriorated but the level of play certainly did not with Randy and Nathan defeating last year’s finalists, Eric Miller and Claes Persson 7-6 (1), 6-1.

Support for the tournament from the OPRC Paddle Community was outstanding despite the weather. Mehmet would have appreciated “Hobo Town” (a hastily produced shanty town of two Wilson tents, two fire pits and a keg) erected to keep the diehards dry.  Tournament Director Zen Mottershead wishes to thank all the players as well as the sponsors (Charlotte Pipe & Foundry, Wilson Racquet Sports and the NC USPTA) for a great tournament.  Special thanks go to Billy Zimmerman and Charlotte Pipe (http://www.charlottepipe.com) for naming the tournament in Mehmet’s honor; Jeremy Speicher for all his help and the use of Charlotte Racquet Club North’s two courts (https://www.charlotteracquetclubnorth.com); Region 7 president Eric Miller for all his help organizing the tournament; and the NC USPTA president Daryl Lewis for his support and sponsorship.

Results:
Main Draw: Nathan Crick/Randy Lofgren def. Eric Miller/Claes Persson, 7-6, 6-1
Consolation: Brian Bortnick/Joe Perdue def. K.C. Kadow/Mark Morneau, 6-3, 6-3
Consolation Reprieve: Chris Steyl/Michael Watson def. Dave Cox/Tom Weston, 6-2, 6-3