Tri-State & Red Zone

JUAN ARRAYA
APRIL 4, 2009
NEW CANAAN, CT

After almost 6 weeks of hard work and millions of emails, Mark Fischl, Alex Bancila, Michael Cochrane, Mark Parsons, Ray Crosta, Michael Gillespie and I were able to see on the courts that all the time spent on the phone, in front of the computers or using the blackberry, was worth it. It was definitely a really fun day for all players and the quality of the matches was really high.

The first “Annual Tri-State Cup” was hosted at the New Canaan Field Club, located in New Canaan, CT. Each team consisted in 10 players and the format of the cup was pretty much the same as a president’s cup. Current top ranked players, former top ranked players and local players participated in this awesome event. Each position played a total of 3 matches with a 2 out of 3 sets format. The 3rd set was set to be a “Match Tie Break”(first team to get to 10 points, like ATP doubles).

I am glad to announce that Connecticut came in first place with a total of 10 points out of the 15 possible points. Westchester came in second with 8 points, Long Island in third with 6 points and New Jersey in fourth with 6 points as well (however, they lost to LI in the head to head).

Printer Friendly Tri-State Results

After all the rounds were played we had a Barbeque around the courts while a mini-tournament of Red-Zone paddle took place. All players signed up individually and teams were drawn out of the hat. We set a draw for 12 teams and each match was just a tie-break to 7 points except for the final that was a “Match Tie Break”. Drew Broderick and some “Fuzzy Foreigner” (that I will not say his name) came up victorious after beating Michael Gillespie and Mark Parsons in the final.

Printer Friendly Red Zone Results

I want to extend my special thanks to Bill Kloss and Alex Bancila for coming up with this awesome idea, Mike Gillespie and the Paddle Chairman at NCFC for letting us use the courts, “Coach” Callaway for letting us use the courts at Weeburn, to all the captains of the different regions and to all the participants. Without you this event would have been impossible to organize.

I am really looking forward to next season’s “Tri-State Cup.”