Crosby’s back?!?! Big deal .. So Is Shappy!!!

SUZANNE LANTHIER
NOVEMBER 23, 2011
TORONTO, ON CANADA

Toronto Open 2011 edition boasts small but fun draws in what could well become the ‘best kept tourney’ on the busy Fall schedule.

Top 10 reasons to Love Kingsway Paddle Tournaments

10.  Caesars delivered to your court for 9 AM matches
9.  You get to see the incredible play of the mysterious 3rd Stulac – Danny
8.  Canadian Beer
7.  1 club – 5 courts – park ‘n play baby … park ‘n play
6.  Strange looks of passers-by walking their dogs wondering WTF are those people doing???
5.  The urinal protector board (you gotta come to see it)
4.  Canadian Beer
3.  $30 / paddle … All you can drink of #4 and #8
2.   You can always mistake the cheer and applause that comes from the hockey arena up the hill for the shot you just hit down the line to go up 4-1.
1.   Rich Kladstrup*

*OK, he paid me to put his name in this write-up.

American Teams, Canadian Teams and Combo CAN-AMs made up the total 44 paddlers in last weekend’s Toronto Open PCQ tournament.  An incredibly strong men’s draw saw quarterfinal matches that looked more like finals and backdraws that you could not win easily.  On the Men’s side Fritz Odenbach and Steve Pike teamed to overtake hometown faves Paul Stulac and Daw in an entertaining 6-1, 7-5 final. First time pairing of Adam Lis and Dave Lyon took 3rd place honours over Dan (yes.. you have another match Danny) Stulac and James P. Shapiro, ESQ., whose much-anticipated return to the Kingsway Platform Tennis Club did not disappoint his adoring fans from north of the border. Congratulations to Tim (Magnum PI) Hunter and Carey Low who won the hotly contested Reprieve Round over Cary (let me into your closet) Greenberg and Rick Glazer.  The perennially perky Polish duo of Ted and Ted were once again the last off the court losing a close 6 hour final match in the Consolation Final (what we like to call the DFL round) to the younger legs of Josh Cooke and Brian Garner – sorry guys, we were just kidding about the best of 7 sets!!

Men's Draw

On the women’s side, Sandra Odenbach and Dionne Bothner drove their way to a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Rita Kladstrup and Suzanne Lanthier. Congratulations to Keegan Brown and Janelle Giehl for taking 3rd place over Anna Lis and Janis Stitski. Vicki Briggs overcame a not-so-nice head injury and teamed with Thelma Papini to win the Conso Reprieve Round and the mom-daughter team of Connie and Brit Dupak were victorious over Deb (get me to the party) Gallagher and Jane Watson.

Women's Draw

But enough about that – it’s Canada - on to the Party!! Another fantastic time complete with the official crowning of the Queen of Toronto Parties.. ummm, we mean Paddle – Rita Kladstrup – who happily shared her crown with anyone who wanted a little taste of royalty.

Thanks to all those local and out of town teams for travelling up to T-dot for the event.

Next up:  THE MIXED – January 28 – Do not miss it!!! Email kslanthier@gmail.com to enter or to enquire about members of the opposite sex who may be looking for a partner.

Serious note of thanks to all who participated – to Fritz and Paul Stu for their assistance and to my posse in the kitchen – Jane, Deb, Anna, Stef, Goddess, Defne, Mary, Janis, Connie, Brit – you are hostesses with the mostesses!!!

More pics can be seen at http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Kingsway-Platform-Tennis-Club/261531507213459