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Men's 2009 Open Winners Tom Harrity (L) and Eric Pearson. |
Building off of the Jonathon Power exhibition match at the 2008 Hardball Nationals in Philadelphia, there was an active and successful 2008-09 Hardball Squash Singles Season, with 10 tournaments around the country, culminating in the 2009 Hardball Singles Championships at the Merion Cricket Club in Philadelphia, Feb. 27-Mar. 1.
There was great play in all divisions, once again proving that hardball squash is an enjoyable, lifetime game, with a premium on racquet skills and experience as well as endurance. And the winning shots, three walls, reverse corners as well as rails, drops and defense are exciting for players and spectators alike.
The Open Division was won by defending champion Eric Pearson of Washington over Philadelphian Tom Harrity, a many time former champion. Eric bested Tom 3-2, rolling out many three wall nicks and finishing other long rallies with crisp forehand reverse corners. Harrity amazed with his retrieving and his own shot making (coming to within 10-12 in the 5th), providing Pearson with his first serious challenge, as Eric blitzed through a field of 10 strong players. In one semi, Buck Rogers, a Merion pro, put on impressive displays of power squash, but he is new to the hardball game and was overwhelmed by Eric’s experience and pressure. Rob Dinerman played superbly but fell to Harrity’s relentlessness, in the other semi. Peter Stokes, the defending and repeating 50+ Champion, entered his promising junior squash playing son, Spencer, in the Open. Spencer played remarkably well, most importantly loving the experience. We plan to have an under-23 and other junior National Hardball Championships next year.
Tom Harrity won the 40+ Division, using the same shot making and retrieving abilities displayed in the Open, in prevailing over Tim Kent of Philadelphia in the 40+ Division. Kent had defeated Gary Figlar of DC in the semis.
In the 50+ Division, it was defending champion Peter Stokes defeating David Slosburg of Omaha Nebraska in a hard fought 3-1 match, winning 2 sudden death points. Stokes’ steady, classic play overcame Slosburg’s intensity and power volleying. Peter defeated Paul Chan of Atlantic City and David beat Jerry Howe of DC in the semis.
In the 60+ Division, Tefft Smith of Washington won his first National Championship, on his third trip to the Finals, overcoming Eric Berger of New Haven, 3-1 (9-15, 15-8, 15-11, 15-4) in an exciting match, featuring impressive retrieving by both, providing crowd pleasing, long and intense rallies. In the semis, Tefft defeated former National Champion Bill Giese of Philadelphia, who to everyone’s rejoicing returned to tournament play after a 3 year, health hiatus. Eric defeated John Cosmi of Wayne, New Jersey in the other semi, with John going on to defeat Chuck Matison of Atlantic City in an intensely fought and well played 60+ consolation finals.
In the 65+ Division, it was perennial champion Jim Zug of Philadelphia dominating first time National Championships finalist Henry Steinglass of New York, 3-0.
In the 70+ Division, life-long rivals Ted Marmor, now of New York, and Lucky Young of Omaha, both collided again in the National finals, this time their first as new 70+ers . Marmor was devastating with straight backhand drops and rapid fire forehand reverse corners. Both amazed a cheering audience with their mobility and racquet skills, with Ted prevailing 3-1 (15-9, 17-14, 11-15, 15-8).
The outstanding play in the 75+ and 80+ Divisions reminded all what a blessing competitive hardball squash is for the maintenance of health and emotional wellbeing, providing lifelong camaraderie as well. In the 75+ Division, Ken Cucuel of Grantham, NH beat Wes Schmidt of Cleveland 3-0.
In the 80+ Division, Tom Dolan of Bloomfield, NJ, defeated the legendary and many time National Champion Charlie Baker, 3-0. Dolan got to the finals with stunning victories over Carter Fergusson and Charlie Butt. In his route to the Championship Tom won 3 games 18-17.
Throughout the weekend, Charlie Baker was—appropriately—recognized and applauded for all he has done for the game of hardball singles. His devotion and service to the game has been essential to its survival and recent rebirth as a new generation of leaders have been stepping up to the plate.
Of other noteworthy long-term service and devotion, this was Carter Ferguson’s 62nd consecutive National Championship, still performing impressively in the 80+ Division.
We plan to have a Pro draw with prize money at the 2010 Hardball Nationals, in addition to the under-23 and other junior National Hardball Championships mentioned earlier. We also plan to have a Women’s Open draw (with prize money) and Women’s play in the under-23 and other categories.
The 2010 Nationals will be held on the weekend of Feb. 19-21, a change from this year to avoid a conflict with the Century Doubles tournament in NYC. The tournament will again be held at the Merion Cricket Club, with consideration being given to having the Pro and Under-23 Divisions played on the International Courts, utilizing the “Bryce Harding green ball,” a somewhat bouncier, slower ball than the fuscia hardball. Many hardballers have been using the green ball for regular play on the wide courts. Anyone wanting to get some of the green Harding balls can do so by contacting Bryce Harding (bryce.w.harding@accenture.com or 703-407-8211) or Tefft smith (tsmith@kirkland.com or 202-879-5212.)
All of this past season’s other US Squash sanctioned tournaments will be held again next year. In addition, Eric & Duncan Pearson will be holding the 4th Annual Stanley W. Pearson Hardball Invitational this Fall in Philadelphia. The “SWPHI”, as it has become affectionately known amongst a loyal following, is a perennial favorite for the under-45 crowd. Held on the narrow courts at both The Merion and Philadelphia Cricket Clubs, this invitational event boasts men’s and women’s draws, with typical turnout between 30 and 45 players. The weekend includes a Saturday afternoon golf outing and a catered surf-and-turf dinner party at a private residence in Chestnut Hill. Though many must dig deep to rekindle their hardball prowess, the draw attracts a great group of “legends” from the junior, intercollegiate and professional ranks. Past champions include the likes of Addison West, Eric Pearson, Hamed Anvari, Julia Beaver and Ali Pearson.
The 2008-09 hardball singles squash season began in the first week of November, with the Cardinal Tournament in Washington, DC at the Metropolitan Club. The tournament was won by MC pro Gary Figlar over the long reigning champion Patrick Holley of DC, in a spirited, break-the-front-wall match played with the Bryce Harding “green hardball” on the MC’s glass back walled wide court. Figlar had beaten Tefft Smith 3-1 and Holley had beaten Paul Chan of Atlantic City 3-1, in matches played on the MC’s traditional hardball courts, using the fuscia hardball. In further round robin play, Paul Chan beat Tefft 3-1.
The Milt Russ Tournament was held at the Harvard Club in New York City the weekend of November 14-16. Rob Gibraltar, a Century Doubles Champion and longtime hardballer, ripped through the draw, beating Tefft Smith, Paul Chan, and Henry Steinglass, each 3-1 and Chuck Matison 3-0. In the 60+ Group, Fred Clare of New York defeated Rich Kopec of Upper Montclair, New Jersey. In the 65+, Jonathan Kohn demonstrated an impressively improved level of play, defeating recent national Champion Bruce Elfenbein of Philadelphia and then reigning 70+ National Champion Nick Beilenson of White Plaines, both 3-0. In the 70+ category, Hal Pearson of NY defeated Mike Solin of Tarrytown, NY and Hoyt Spelman of NY, to win that Division.
Mike Solin hosted another fabulous weekend at the Sleepy Hollow Country Club in Tarrytown, NY on the weekend of December 5-7. Tefft Smith could not miss the nick (even off the frame) in defeating Eric Berger, 3-0. Tefft beat Ted Marmor, 3-1 and Eric beat Paul Chan 3-0 in the semis. In the 70+ Division, Nick Beilenson won the finals 3-0 over Bill Cobbett of NY.
That same weekend The Kiva was held in Santa Fe, combined with a Doubles draw. The Kiva drew players from Ohio, California, St. Louis, Dallas, Kansas, Colorado and New Jersey as well as Santa Fe for the hardball singles divisions. Perennial local champion Walter Burke was defeated by Jim Gibbons of San Francisco in the 50s Final 3-1. In 60+, fellow Californian Courtney Carswell defeated Peter Suskind 3-0; and the 70+ saw Santa Fe’s Peter Latimer win over Ivan Glover of Sausalito 3-0.
2009 began with the classic William White combined singles and doubles, black tie event at the Merion Cricket Club the weekend of January 9 - 11. This is one of squash’s most important tournament, including over 200 hardballers bashing away in Doubles and Singles. The OPEN was won by Addison West; the 40+ by Tom Harrity; the 50+ by Peter Stokes; the 60+ by Tefft Smith; 70+ by Ed Harding; and the 75+ by “Ming the Merciless” Charlie Baker, the once again tournament director, with GREAT assistance by many.
The Eastern States tournament was held in New York City at the Harvard Club the weekend of January 23-25. David Slosburg’s intensity overwhelmed all comers in winning the tournament, defeating Paul Chan, Henry Steinglass and others, all 3-0, in a dominating performance. Eric Berger beat Tefft Smith in the 60+ Draw 3-1, playing superbly with repeated reverse corner volley winners and steady cross court pressure. In other play, Nick Beilenson beat Charlie Baker 3-0 in the 70+ Division.
An important event during the Eastern States’ weekend was a dinner, hosted by major hardball and all squash financial contributor, David Slosburg, encouraging financial and other support for the effort to get squash into the 2016 Olympics from the hardball community.
The Atlantic Coast tournament was held at the Greate Bay Squash Club near Atlantic City. This tournament was played on the wide court with the Bryce Harding green ball. Tefft Smith defeated Tom Akerman in the finals for the second straight year 3-1 (4-15, 15-11, 15-9, 15-8), with former Nationally ranked racquetballer Akerman trying to break the front wall, with Tefft retrieving and shooting off the back wall. The play was in a round robin format, with Tefft also beating Paul Chan, Bob McAllister, and Dave Rayfield.
The 53rd Annual Cate Invitational was held in Santa Barbara the weekend of February 21- 22, with an intricate series of double-deep roundabouts, organized expertly by long time tournament director and hardballer Terry Eagle. The format assured that everyone played exactly the number of matches they required. The winners were Greg Stiles in the A, David Alpert in the B, Terry Eagle in the Vet 35, Don Fuhrer in the Vet 50, and Ed Helfeld in the Vet ++.
The same weekend saw the Woodruff Nee in DC, the East Coast’s annual tune up for the Nationals. It was played at the Metropolitan Club and run by Howard Day of the University Club. In a preview of the following week’s National Championships, Eric Pearson dominated in the Open, with Patrick Holley finishing second. Tefft Smith defeat Gary Figlar in the 35+ draw 3-1, 15-14 in the 4th. Austin Graff defeated John Pearson in a thrilling Statesmen’s final, 17-14 in the 5th, having been 13 all in the 4th.
As you can see, there is an active, nationwide hardball tournament program, which we plan to continue and expand upon for the 2009-10 season. We urge all to “just try it” on the wide courts as on the traditional hardball courts. We welcome any other ideas for the continued expansion of hardball play, at all levels and for all age groups. As Jonathon Power said after his hardball exhibition match, ”hardball is great preparation for softball and great fun.”
Some of the suggestions for 2009 - 10 have included regional round robin get togethers on Holidays like Columbus Day, Martin Luther King Day and Presidents Day. The past two years a number of East coast Hardballers have gathered on Presidents Day in February for a day of round robin play and fellowship that has proven fun and a great tune-up for the Nationals. There has been suggestions of a Harvard vs Yale event in New York at the Harvard Club and elsewhere on the day of the Harvard Yale football game. There has also been a suggestion about organizing “ladder play” so that these kinds of matches, and other matches by players in the same area, or players visiting another locale, would count towards National rankings for various ages groups.
Please send any thoughts, suggestions or comments on hardball play to Tefft Smith at tsmith@kirkland.com or 202 879 5212. |
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