Region IV News 2009-2010

Moustaches and Maple Leafs Mark Canadian Open

FRITZ ODENBACH
APRIL 9, 2010
TORONTO, CANADA

There was an amazing turnout in Toronto, Canada on March 27th for those in search of victory at the Canadian Open and the honour of having their name etched onto the Joe Stulac Memorial Trophy. A number of teams made the annual post-nationals pilgrimage from New York, New Jersey, Pittsburg, Buffalo, Rochester, Niagara and ...wait for it...Nares Inlet (go ahead - mapquest it). There was great weather and even greater food arranged by Suzanne Lanthier - with plenty of laughs, beers and of course "Fritz's Spritzs".
 
Main draw finishes included two-time defending champs Rusty Wright/Fritz Odenbach losing in the semis to past Canadian Open champs Paul Stulac/Scott McFaden (6-2, 7-6) and Ray Crosta/Steve DeRose  defeating Mike Stulac/Andrew Daw in other the semis (7-6, 6-4). Ultimately, Crosta/DeRose sporting handlebar moustaches in a show of team unity and matching Toronto Maple Leaf T-shirts in an effort to win over the crowd, emerged as new champions by defeating two 'Stulacs' enroute to their fist national title (6-4, 6-3) in the final.
 
In the women's draw, Sandra Odenbach and "home-comer Canadian" Nathalie Lemieux took down reigning champs Anna Lis/Stephanie Russell in a gruelling 3-set match final. The new champs had to claw their way back from a 0-3 (two-breaks) deficit to win 7-5 in that deciding set! (6-3, 1-6, 7-5)
 
And of note, the match of the weekend goes to a 1st rounder between (very) new-comers Dan Hassel and Rob McLernon who defeated seasoned veterans Ted Lis/Ted Stitski (7-6, 6-7, 6-4) in a 2-hour plus marathon!
 
Congrats to all who contributed to make the weekend such a success.

Pre-Tournament Buzz Attracts Juniors to Cleveland Open

JEROLD (J.T.) TINJACA
MARCH, 2010
CLEVELAND, OH

On February 6, the Cleveland Racquet Club (CRC) held its first Junior Paddle tournament. The highly successful event featured the talents of many local athletes. The pre- tournament buzz circulating among paddle enthusiasts generated an unexpectedly high number of players of varying skill levels from a variety of neighboring Clubs. Full Coverage

Fuller-Kotalik Repeat at Onondaga

FRITZ ODENBACH
MARCH 21, 2010
SYRACUSE, NY

Congratulations to our Onondaga Country Club Paddle Champions Darren Fuller and Jeff Kotalik, who have repeated their 2009 victory.

The membership of Onondaga CC has made huge strides in improving their paddle commitment and are continuing to grow their numbers. OCC is looking to improve their facilities, build a paddle hut and attract new talent by offering clinics and other activities.

Props Outlast LeFevres for APTA Husband-Wife Title Ohlmuller & Johnson Defeat Main & Caldwell in Outstanding 3 Set Final

MARCH 13-14, 2010
CLEVELAND, OH

The unseeded team of Heather and Vince Prop won the 2010 APTA Husband-Wife National championship defeating Jessica and Nathan LeFevre. They came back from a first set loss to triumph in an exciting three setter 3-6, 7-5, 7-5.

Marina Ohlmuller and Mark Johnson teamed up for their first run at the APTA Mixed Nationals, and after an amazing 3 set final against Aila Main and David Caldwell, they emerged victorious, 6-7, 6-0, 7-5.

Complete Coverage, Draw & Slide Show

Rochester Raises over $17,000 to Help Breast Cancer Patients

FEBRUARY 5, 2010
ROCHESTER, NY

The 4th Annual Ladies Paddle Tournament to benefit Sustain-Inspire-Survive (SIS) took place in Rochester, NY, on January 23rd. The tournament raises money for women struggling financially while undergoing treatment for breast cancer. SIS was founded in 2005 by breast cancer survivor Andrea Caruso. It is a local, grassroots organization, so participants know that all the money raised goes to work in Rochester, and contributions for the tournament and auction come from all corners of the city.

Detailed Coverage and Slides  

Region IV Women's President's Cup Standings

JANUARY 20, 2010

Points for individuals year to date.

Another Midwesterns Wraps Up

JANUARY 23, 2010
CINCINNATI, OH

This year brought new champions in the Midwesterns Men's Open. After years of dominance by Flip Goodspeed and Scott Mansager, the title was won by Mike Cochrane and Scott Estes, who defeated Mike Marino and Brian Uihlein 6-32, 6-3 in the finals.

In the Women's Open, Heather Prop and Lynn Schneebeck held onto their 2009 title by prevailing over Suzanne Lemery and Marina Ohlmuller. 

Men's Draw

Women's Draw

New Albany CC Hosts Exhibition

DENNY ENGLISH
JANUARY 3, 2010
COLUMBUS, OH

In an effort to build paddle here in Columbus, we had a fun exhibition and teaching event at the New Albany Country Club in December. Brian Heil, Thad Reed, Drew Eberly and I played an exhibition for about an hour, and then we played some fun games and drills with members.

About 50 people came out for the event. It was a good turnout and hopefully it has generated some excitement among the NA members. I’d love to see more of them out on the courts and involved with the sport.

Click here for a Slide Show

Region IV Women's President's Cup Standings

DECEMBER 15, 2009

Points for individuals year to date.

2009 West Penn Open

DECEMBER 6, 2009
PITTSBURGH, PA

Congratulations to Karen Henke and Hollly Peck for winning the West Penn women's title this weekend, and to Brett Englesberg and Jeff McMaster for winning the men's title. The West Penn Open has been contested since the early days of Pittsburgh paddle in the 1970s, and it's still going strong.

Coverage and Slides
 

Parents and Children Play in Cincinnati

VICKI SWEENEY, TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR
DECEMBER 2, 2009
CINCINNATI, OH

A record number of parents and their children showed up at Cincinnati, Camargo and Hyde Park Country Clubs in Cincinnati, Ohio on a beautiful November day for the 7th Annual Adult/Child Platform Tennis Tournament. Thirty five teams competed in 3 divisions.

The 8 to 10's were at Hyde Park, where Andrew and Brian Brockhoff prevailed in a tough match against Tamara and Sven Knobloch for the win. The 12 and unders played at Cincinnati CC where Nathan and Bill Benning outlasted Catherine and Anne Shanahan in the final match. The 16 and unders fought it out at Camargo Club where the final match pitted  last minute entry Oliver and Andy Mauk against Nils and Thorsten Knobloch. The Mauks came away the winner, but there was a lot of sweat left on those courts.

There were lots of smiling faces, cherished time spent between parents and their kids, favors, food and plenty of exercise. Talk about priceless. This was it. So grab your kid, play some paddle and get ready for next years tournament.

Mauks - 16 & Under Winner

Brockhoffs - 8 & Under/10 & Under Winners

Bennings - 12 & Under Winners

High Level Competition Marks 35th Cleveland Masters

ANDY SIKOROVSKY
NOVEMBER 18, 2009
CLEVELAND, OH

Date Change for Miami Valley

NOVEMBER 20, 2009
DAYTON, OH

The dates for the Miami Valley Men's and Women's Championships have changed. The new dates are:

Women: Friday, January 22, 2010
Men: Saturday, January 23, 2010

For further information, please contact Nancy Budde at 937-304-4439 or buddenjb@aol.com.

Four Tourneys at 31st Shadow Lake

OCTOBER 27, 2009
ROCHESTER, NY

This past weekend saw a lot of platform tennis action at the Shadow Lake Golf and Racquet Club and other Rochester area clubs. The 31st Annual Shadow Lake Invitational Platform Tennis Tournament included separate Men's Open, Men's B, Women's Open and Women's B tournaments, with the open payers battling for for ranking and President's Cup points.

Congratulations to the winners and finalists:

Watch some points on YouTube.

Men's Open Finalists

Women's Open Finalists