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.