Tom Houlihan and Curt Corrigan Three Peat in 2013 Arapahoe Invitational

Cary Hodges
March 1, 2013
Denver, CO

Denver's showcase paddle event of the year saw some changes this year as well as some repeating patterns. Repeating pattern #1 was in the Men's Open bracket that was won for the third consecutive year by the Boulder team of Tom Houlihan and Curt Corrigan. A major difference was that the final day was played in a raging blizzard. Both semi-finals were long, wet, three-set matches that forced the finals to be shortened due to time constraints. Lennart Jonason and Martin Bostrom survived a battle with Chicago newcomers Matt McClure and Chris Mullin. On the other side, Houlihan and Corrigan came from behind to knock out Jay Schwab and Michael Slutzky. Jonason and Bostrom agreed on an eight-game pro set in the final and after some soggy but spirited play, Houlihan and Corrigan emerged on top, 8-6.

In the Men's A bracket, top-seeded brother combo of Nick and Will Morris fell in the semis to Adam Kimberly and John Moore in a marathon three sets. On the other side, Steve Filmer and Andy Smith ousted the California duo of Mark Puckett and George Eichleay. Smith and Filmer had no problem with the conditions, controlling the final, 6-3, 6-1.

The women's portion of the tournament also had similarities and surprises. The final included three players who have been there in seven of the last eight years. Anne Koo and Anne Lehigh reached their seventh final by defeating Sherrie Farris and Christine McNamara, 6-1, 6-4. Claire Joyce also frequents the final, but historically with a local partner. This year, Tori Eichleay travelled from California to team with Joyce. Together, they dominated from start to finish with a 6-0, 6-1 win over Colville and Del Duca in the semis and then taking out Koo and Lehigh, 6-1, 6-1 in the finals.

The surprise of the women's event was the number of participants. The event expanded to include a "B" bracket that saw thirteen teams, many of whom were tasting tournament play for the first time. The final was a barn burner, with Kristie Emerson and Brooke Moore outlasting Cady Sheldon and Laurie Assini, 6-4, 4-6, 7-5, to take home the first ever women's B championship. Overall participation in the women's event grew by 48% over last year!

Men's Open

 
Women's Open

 
Women's B