CAN WE ACHIEVE A 4-PEAT?

Cross Border Challenge – Saturday, September 14 @ Windsor

“Four in a row”. Has a nice ring to it doesn’t it? Sounds like a dynasty to me… Although it would be uncharted waters for the DAC, it is still a long way off from what the Windsor club handed out to us when they crushed us for 7 in a row from 2006 to 2009. I mention it simply to give us extra motivation to see if we can return the favor.

We do have the experience of winning 4 in a row before – with the Farris Cup. But, as we all know, that can turn around all too quickly and wining any matches at all in that event (let alone the cup itself) has almost become an exercise of futility. But I digress.

We certainly don’t want to go down that path with the Cross Border, and even though we have won the past 3 meetings, the results have been pretty competitive. In other words it hasn’t been easy and we need to keep up the effort. So, if you think you can handle the pressure – put your racquet where your mouth is… well, not literally… yuck.

On Saturday, September 14, we will take our band of merry men and women over to Canada and fight to the death just so I keep a broken racquet nailed to a wooden board with a scratched plaque that declares we are the “Current Champions”. Surely that’s reason enough to put your life on the line? No? How about if I offer you beer as you battle it out? Still not enough? Wow. Tough crowd…

Okay, I’ll take death of the table. Just win your match. Fair? Here is what you need to take careful note of:

• Singles players of ALL levels are welcome. Men and women alike. You will get 1 match, best of 5 games.
• We need 3 doubles teams. Preferably an A, a B, and a C. The doubles will be tough. Windsor is good at it.
• I’ll be working with Graeme Williams (Windsor’s pro) to match you up with a player from Windsor of equal ability to your own. We will do our best. Sometimes, guess work is involved and we may be a little off. If that happens to you, don’t fret. Just drink another beer and be happy!
• Speaking of which, beer will be available. Drink it. It’s free. I may have one too.
• Matches start at 2pm and we’ll go through to about 5pm. Stay as long or as short as you like. The longer you stay the more social you’ll be. Even if you don’t play, you are more than welcome to join us and cheer on our gang. And drink.
• There is NO COST to play this. Unless you consider time equals money. Then it will cost you 3-4 hours.
• Registration deadline is Monday, September 9.

E-mail me your registration. And to quote that famous scribe ‘Nike’, “Just Do It”.

LET ME FIX YOU UP

Doubles Select Tournament – Starts September 3

Here at the DAC, my job description covers a vast area. Being a Squash Pro is sometimes the least of what I do, as often I am morphed into everything from being asked to diagnose an injury (which I’ll always answer – “see a doctor!”), to a socialite, to solving world peace, to figuring out how to fix the Tiger’s bullpen (whenever they need it, which right now they don’t!). I am more than happy to do as much as I can to help (although I am not claiming to be an expert on anything that doesn’t involve a squash racquet), and for this tournament I will be turning into something else: a match-maker. Want a blind date?

With record participation last year (40), we can surely eclipse that again this time around. Especially with the ever increasing numbers. Plus, this is an excellent event for the not-so-experienced doubles players to enter because your “date” will no doubt be someone of a reasonably good standard and it would be an excellent opportunity to learn from them.

The 2012 draw had a lot of close matches and 2013 version should not be any different. If you want to be a part of the competition, play with someone new, be “fixed-up” by me, then all you need to do is e-mail me your entry. You don’t need to find a partner – I will hook you up with your “perfect” match.

It’s simple: All registrations will be ranked. I’ll take the top ranked player and match them up with the lowest ranked player. The second highest ranked player with the second-lowest ranked player… and so forth. We’ll have a bunch of perfectly matched teams! The knock-out draw will be done completely randomly, since in theory, all couples should be equally strong.

Couple of notes:

• Each match will have a deadline for completion. Make sure it is done by then. Failure to do so may result in a forfeit, and we really, really, really, want to avoid them. But we can’t have un-finished matches holding up the event.
• All matches are best of 5 games. That means, the first team to win 3 games wins the match.
• Prize for the winning team. If you want a prize, I suggest you keep winning.
• Safety rules. Call your ‘lets’. No arguing. Be reasonable. No asking for a ‘let’ when you know you would not have reached the ball. Flawless sportsmanship is not just requested, it’s expected.
• Be flexible with your schedule when arranging match times. Everyone else’s calendar is just as important as yours. Limiting your availability to “only on Sundays at 6am” is unreasonable and unfair to your fellow members.
• I can be bought. Cash only in clean, crisp, unmarked bills. J

Registration deadline is Friday, August 30. Enter early so you are not that odd one out in the end. Unless you want to play by yourself. You won’t win if you do that, but you’ll get a workout. Besides, it’s not much of blind date.

LONDON IS CALLING

Nash Cup September 20-22

Who’s with me? Now I know that at least some of our members have expressed interest in this event, and it is about time that we put our money where our mouth is and follow up with actually making the easy 2 hour journey to London, Ontario and play this thing! Remember, this tiny town sends about 25 of their players every year to the DAC Classic, they poach the trophies, empty our kegs, and we absolutely can’t get enough of them… can’t we at least reciprocate just a little?

Here is the guarantee: The squash will be competitive. Tough. Don’t enter expecting an easy ride to the finals. You won’t get it. This event will attract players from as far as Toronto. Keep in mind, this is a singles event only, no doubles. The squash will be played in more than one club, but not too worry, they are all in close proximity to each other. London is not very big.

Here is another guarantee: You will have fun. The London Squash Racquets Club is constructed for socializing. It is a squash club. Not a fitness club with squash courts added on, but a squash club with a bar. A bar that never seems to stop serving whatever beverage that takes your fancy. It is not a big club. It is not the DAC. (But then, what is?!) It is a cozy, relaxing key club with 4 singles courts (and 1 doubles). The members could not be friendlier (except for Srini, he’s rude and needs to smile more.) It is encouraged that you play hard and party harder. Put your feet up, and put a drink in your hand.

What is also cool about this event is that they run a professional draw as well. As an added bonus and for the first time, they will be hosting a women’s pro draw along with the men’s. The pros will start their playing week early. By the time the Friday comes around (September 20), they will be ready for the men’s pro semi finals and the women’s final. The men’s final will be played on the Saturday. All entrants are allowed to watch as part of their entry fee. The men’s draw will feature players in the PSA top 50, the smaller women’s draw, top 100. Either way, it will be great squash – that’s another guarantee.

So, here are your playing options. You can enter one category only:

1. Open. If you can compete with me, enter this one.
2. Men’s A. If you can compete with Pablo (our club numero uno), enter this one.
3. Men’s B. If you are a 4.5 – 5.0+, enter here,
4. Men’s C. If you are a 3.5 – 4.4, this is your domain.
5. Men’s D. If you are 3.4 or below, you belong here.
6. 40+. If you are aged over 40, you can enter here. I’ll play the Open, not this one.
7. 50+. If you are over 50, you’re really old... J And you can play this one.
8. Women’s A. If you are female, and can play with Pablo, enter here.
9. Women’s B. 4.5 – 5.0+.
10. Women’s C. 3.5 – 4.4.
11. Women’s D. 3.4 and below.

Entry fee is $70 CAD + tax. Meals, tournament souvenir included. 2 match minimum. To register, you will need to contact the London Squash Pro Dave Morrish. He may be difficult to understand because he’s from England. But he’s a very nice fellow. Call Dave – 519-433-0691.

As far as accommodation goes, there is a tournament hotel but book early. I believe there is a concert in town the same weekend, and hotels are filling fast. Talk to Dave Morrish about hotels and special tournament rates. I booked into a hotel about a mile from the club and even closer to the downtown bars.

So, are you with me?