SQUASH SHOTS X

Creatures of the Squash Universe

Life is a never ending evolving entity. New species are being discovered every day. Creatures that are stranger than fiction, their reason for existence one of the mysteries of the universe. Some of these genuses have found their way to the squash courts where their modus operandi is anything but orthodox. After conducting intricate and insightful examinations over the course of my 30 plus year career, the following is a short cross section of my extensive discoveries.

Confusus Identium
Born one way, but has the unparalleled desire to be something else. These intriguing beasts start of life as a pure tennis player or racquetball player or handballer, but are mesmerized and drawn into the world of squash. Many cross over completely to the sport and are never seen again by their original family. Some manage to travel between the worlds but there is no mistaking where their true loyalties lie. They are easily identified as although their hearts are 100% squash, their techniques do not make that same transition and are frequently spotted staring at the front wall during a rally. The transition is rarely seen in the other direction.

Letcallum Perpetuum
Similar to the human condition of “teretts syndrome”, Letcallum Perpetuum cannot help itself but to ask for a ‘let’ at every single opportunity even when interference is non-existent. It is a tactic used to infuriate their prey and as an added defense mechanism, they are not only naturally stubborn, they are also exceedingly well versed in the art form of arguing. With a inherent metabolism to outlast most opponents, long matches are very common. Their major weakness is they do not camouflage themselves well and can be heard before you see them.

Hitballus Standstillum
A peculiar being, Hitballus Standstillum generally has no problem running and moving around the squash court. But in certain situations it has the uncanny ability to freeze and stand completely still after contact forcing their enemy to either run around them and exert energy unnecessarily, or to run into them directly. This, however, is not a good idea, since their secret weapon is that they appear to be able to turn to stone and running into them can cause significant damage to the uninitiated. Nature’s shows it’s full fury when Hitballus Standstillum comes into contact with Letcallum Perpetuum. The two are natural enemies and although the winners of these confrontations vary, the aftermath is always ugly.

Warmupum Champitus
With a bark much, much, worse than its bite, this life form has no actual defense mechanisms so it attempts to scare away their foe before the fight really begins. Frequently seen outside the arena well before schedule to begin a long and rigorous stretching and warm-up ritual, its main aim is to project the atmosphere of supreme fitness and talent. The on-court pre-match warm-up is just as intense as Warmupum Champitus will crack the ball around like world number one, slotting nicks, executing trick shots, and leaping around like they have too much energy and can waste it. However, once the match starts it becomes immediately apparent that they have no idea whatsoever how to play. Their stubbornness in accepting this fact is the only reason these sorry animals haven’t gone instinct. Like weeds, they just keep coming back.

Procrastinatus ad Infinitum
No matter how far in advance you arrange, what day of the week it is, what time in the day it is, and how often you remind them, Procrastinatus ad Infinitum is guaranteed one hundred percent to be late. A wily character, it actually prefers its rivals to spend more and more time organizing and making sure they turn up on time so the level of annoyance increases exponentially when Procrastinatus ad Infinitum keeps them waiting. To make matters worse, this infuriating entity will employ similar tactics between games as well by taking phone calls, going to the restroom, changing out gear, talking with passersby, anything to turn the 90 second between games to as long as possible. Identification is rather simple as this is the one holding the squash racquet outside the court.

Ricochet Pinballii
A truly intriguing critter. With an almost insatiable appetite to hurt itself, Ricochet Pinballii flings itself around the court absent of any conscious thought over its own personal safety. It has mastered the skill of sprinting at break-neck speeds to retrieve any ball but is unfortunately utterly clueless of how to stop without using the solid walls as a mattress. Rumor has it they are invertebrates, and some scientists even suggest they are trying to mimic the characteristics of the squash ball itself. Curiously, though, they do not take too kindly when one whacks them with the racquet. They are generally considered to be pesky little buggers amongst its adversaries as they keep on getting the ball back and don’t tire very easily.


The study is not complete. I will add the rest of the list at a later date. Up until then, I will be lurking in the dark recesses of squash centers all around the galaxy, gathering and analyzing all the strange information, uncovering new and bizarre species and putting my life on the line in the name of science!

THE FIGHT FOR FOURTH

Summer League round 6~~

Once again, participation was affected by an unrelated source. This time, it was the fireworks. It’s the downside to being situated in the city. As I drove home, the I-75 was blocked off city inwards, and the traffic was backed up beyond what the eye could see. It wasn’t even 7pm. So, I forgive everyone who decided not to make the trip to the club last night… and I applaud everyone who did.

The biggest mover this week was the “Court Jesters” who made up 12 points on lead leaders “Serves of Steel” to equal their total but are in second place due to one less bonus point. The top three teams look pretty safe, and the fourth finals spot is turning into a three-way battle. Only 3 points separate 4th from 6th and in case of any tie, “Sure to Shank Redemption” currently hold a 2 bonus point advantage over the other two teams. “We Got the Runs” fell further behind the group and are now 10 points out of that play-off position but if they could make up the deficit, their bonus point total is very healthy. As for the “Alcoballics”… well, it isn’t looking good. I guess it’s tough to catch up if two of the eight players in the team are making up more than half their total, and none of the other six have accumulated more than 5 points.

Next week is off due to Independence Day. The final round of the regular season is scheduled for July 11, with the deadline to play all of your matches being July 12. It would be a pity if your team missed the finals by only a point or two because you decided not to play some matches that you could have…

SPUTTERING TO THE FINISH LINE

Summer League round 5~~

It’s always a good idea never to panic when under pressure, or when things get tight, or when deadlines are approaching and tasks need to get completed. However, in this case it may be time for a couple of the teams to start doing exactly that!

Only seven matches were played yesterday and none of teams appear to have much desperation to get as many results in as possible. There are only 3 weeks left before the cut-off date (July 12), and that includes the Independence Day holiday weekend where I am sure many of you will be away on vacation.

The top 2 teams seem to have their finals berth secured, and the “Court Jesters” in 3rd place are probably pretty safe as well although not too comfortably. The other 5 teams will be tussling for the last play-off spot and even the last placed team “Alcoballics” who are averaging less than 7 points per round have a fighting chance to get there.

A couple of nice results for the players yesterday included James Van Dyke’s (“Hit Me With Your Best Shot”) 3-0 win over Patrick Petz (“Court Jesters”). All three games were very close, and James had to crawl back after falling behind in each of them. Patrick was of course disappointed with the score as he failed to close out the games he very well could have won and even though fitness played a part, I am sure it was a mental block too. We have all been there – it is easy to get defensive after building a lead rather than to continue on with the same attitude and game plan that got you there in the first place. It’s a hurdle we all need to overcome at times. Mental toughness needs to be practiced just like your racquet skills.

Another tough match was Jeff Jardine (“Court Jesters”) and Brian Schrage (“Hit Me With Your Best Shot”). I managed to record the last half of the second game as you can see below. Brian won that game but went down in the other two. There was a lot of scrambling around the court!



So two weeks to go. Three weeks to do them in. Start organizing.

CAN YOU THINK AND RUN?

Timed-Handicap-Quiz Tournament
Wednesday, July 13

Have you ever played 1 game – not a match – that lasted 20 minutes? You may think to yourself “Sure!” but time can get very skewed when your heartbeat feels like it’s pushing out through your eardrums and the oxygen supply on the court feels like it’s been sucked out. When I ran those court conditioning sessions it was rather startling (and somewhat amusing I have to admit) how the self-imposed sufferers would appeal to my sympathetic trait for mercy 30 seconds into a 1-minute exercise believing my stop-watch most certainly was running too slowly. (I, of course, have no sympathetic trait so it never worked…Muwahahaha!) On the other side of the coin, I have played some matches that have felt like being in a time warp. The match may have taken two hours, but it certainly didn’t feel half that long while I was on court.

In this unique tournament format, you will be placed onto one of two teams. If possible, I will match you up with an opponent of equal standard, but if that isn’t feasible then handicaps will be issued to the lesser player. Using point-a-rally scoring, each match will be one continuous game of 20 minutes. No time-outs, no resting, no walking off to get a drink, in short - no stopping! I know it doesn’t sound like that long, but it may surprise you.

Now, after all the matches are completed each team will be handed a quiz. The questions will be based on your knowledge of squash, this club, and general bits and pieces. Each question will be worth a certain amount of points.

The winning team will the one with the most combined points from the squash and quiz. (The highest squash point score from each team will be discarded). And, for being so fit and smart, each member of the wining team will get a prize! They will be able to choose a gift from the pile of ‘stuff’ I’ll be collecting from around the club. Right now, I have no idea what that ‘stuff’ might be. Depends on what the departments want to shed!

There will also be a keg available so the members of the losing team can still drink even though they should probably be on the court practicing or in the library studying.

Want to play (and think)? Details are:
• Tournament is on Wednesday, July 13
• Matches start at 5pm
• Depending on entries, event should run to about 7.30pm.
• Keg available
• No entry fee
• Registration deadline is Monday, July 11
• Minimum 16 players required

E-mail me your entry. And hit the books.

MEET A MEMBER - 7

Since this guy has made significant strides over the past 12 months with his squash, and his name keeps on popping up in the winner’s column, I figured I would lay him on the couch and plummet deep into his inner child. His competitive nature makes him a difficult opponent and he is also a quick study in understanding the game. Recent success has also motivated him to play even harder. How hard? We’ll see.

MEET… ANTHONY FRACCHIA

The Squash Joint (TSJ): When I first met you, you were training for and doing triathlons. Did you take up squash as a way to keep fit, and did you find the fitness level required to play squash competitively harder or easier than you expected?

Anthony Fracchia (AF): I actually started playing squash a few years before I started training for triathlons. I started playing in 2000 when I was on a consulting project in Calgary, Alberta. Our client was wondering why we were playing racquetball and invited us to learn/play squash with them. After one game I was hooked, I never played racquetball again… I played on an off (and by “off” I mean 3 to 4 years) until I joined the DAC. Once I joined the DAC I started playing more consistently.

TSJ: When did the squash ‘bug’ bite you? Immediately? Or only after a while? What do you think is the reason?

AF: I definitely bit me the minute I played my first game. I though I was in great shape at the time and that first game absolutely destroyed me – It was love at first swing 

TSJ: Winning is of course addictive. You won the 3.5 Club Championships in May without dropping a game, and have scored some wins over 4.5 players in box ladder play too. What is your goal with your squash? How far do you believe you can go up the rankings? (Don’t be modest now…!)

AF: I am an extremely competitive person by nature (please reference footage of my demeanor during my tournament matches ). I didn’t really know where I fit in with respect to my level of play until I joined the DAC. I feel that if I can play on a more consistent basis, and with players that are a bit stronger than me, I can compete at the 4.0 and 4.5 level. My goal for right now is to win the 4.0 or 4.5 DAC Championships next year.

TSJ: Who is your ultimate sports hero and why?

AF: I’ve got to go with Steve Yzerman on this one. Stevie Y is, in my opinion, the epitome of what a respectful, classy, and hard working professional sports player should be. In an environment driven by money and greed he stayed with the Detroit Red Wings his entire playing career. I’ve had the chance to meet him on a few occasions and he is a very kind and modest person.

TSJ: You die and land in Hell. (Hypothetically, of course!) Knowing how competitive you are, Satan cuts you a break and decides to let you play a sport for all eternity. However, it’s the one sport and opponent you detest the most. What sport is that and who are you playing against?

AF: I am playing cricket against the Duke men’s basketball team, and they are kicking my ass!

TSJ: Okay, God realizes he made a mistake and instantaneously transports you into heaven. As compensation for your troubles, he resurrects you on Earth but in a different era. To what era do you choose and what job will you have?

AF: I would be resurrected in the 1930’s and I would be a jazz musician during the American birth of improv jazz – I get to play with Charlie Parker, the Dizz, Thelonius Monk, Duke, Miles… the whole gang. I would do my best to not become addicted to heroin 

TSJ: By the way you look after yourself, I am presuming you eat well. Do you have a specific diet that you keep, and is there a particular food or meal you prefer to eat before competition?
AF: I have always eaten well and the “good” food I choose to eat actually tastes good to me now. I have an insatiable appetite which results in me eating 6 to 7 meals per day. Whenever possible, I try to stick to the general rule that if I cannot recognize or pronounce the ingredients in the food, I do not eat it. I do not have any special meal that I eat before a match but my “go to” meal before a big race is pizza and micro brews!

TSJ: Along that theme, you are dying of starvation. Your only choice to eat is at a fast food chain restaurant. Which restaurant do you choose and what do you order?

AF: That’s easy, KFC chicken strips with ranch dressing

TSJ: What is the one shot on the squash court you love to play? What is the one you hate to play? What is the one shot you dislike your opponents playing?

AF: The one shot I love to play is the mid-court boast after hitting rails for most of the match. My opponent usually (or “hopefully”) cheats a little bit and if I can pull it off - it’s usually a guaranteed point. The one shot I hate to play is the lob when I am running up to get a drop – I can never hit the lob deep enough. The shot I dislike my opponents playing is the same shot I love to play – the mid-court boast. I am usually out of position and don’t even try to get it.

TSJ: We are at a night club. What song motivates you to get you on the dance floor and bust-a-move? Do you need a few drinks in you before that happens? What are you drinking?

AF: Another easy one, “Give it to me” by Jay-Z and Pharrell. I am on my third single malt scotch and am convinced that I am the funniest person in the bar

TSJ: What motto do you live your life by?

AF: You can accomplish any goal you set if you are willing to put in the necessary work and make the necessary sacrifices

TSJ: For the last question, I like to ask the most crucial one and get you to man up… Do you cry at movies, and if so which movie(s) made you cry? Be honest now!

AF: I will man up for TSJ on this one and speak the truth on this one… Years ago I was at home, by myself, and there was nothing on TV. I came across a movie called “Dad” with Jack Lemmon and Ted Danson which is about a successful, self-indulgent son who has to watch after his estranged and aging father after his mother suffers a heart-attack. There were a few scenes where I got a little misty… I haven’t watched it since.

Even though he has insulted Australia’s national sport of cricket, I would like to pass on a big ‘thank you’ to Anthony for opening himself candidly up to us! I know he expects great things from himself so those upper level players should start taking notice – he’ll be gunning for you! If you ever find yourself on court with him, be prepared to run hard and try not to set him up for his mid-court boast… easier said than done of course. Otherwise you could hand him a trumpet and maybe he’ll get distracted….

“SERVES OF STEEL” INCREASE THEIR LEAD

Summer League round 4~~

“Boom-da-da-boom-da-boom-boom-boom!” Did you hear that? It’s the sound of me beating the same ol’ tune off the same ol’ drum. I call it, “Play Your Matches” in D minor. Needs a little work, but I was never musically inclined. I’m also working on a piece called “Collect Your Bonus Points”, but I can’t decide whether to do it on the drum or the accordion…

“Serves of Steel” certainly don’t need any motivational jingles in either of those 2 titled categories. They lead the league in both of them. Together with second placed “Volleybrawlers”, they have played 20 out of a possible 28 matches through the first four rounds, and have accumulated 17 bonus points. “We Got The Runs” also have 17 bonus points, but are over 20 points behind the leaders and sit 5th overall. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the last team on the ladder – the “Alcoballics” - has the fewest bonus points (9), and has played the fewest matches with only 11. In fact, the “Alcoballics” have only picked up a total of 5 points over the past two rounds. Even with that startling statistic, they are only 11 points out of a finals berth. But they better start to get on court.

At over the half way mark of the regular season, Alan Howard (“Serves of Steel”) leads all other league players with 15 points, and is yet to drop a single game. His team mate Doug Troszak is second with 13 and Manny Tancer (“The Balled and the Beautiful”) has 12. Only four players so far have collected all 4 bonus points.

The video clip is from the first game from the match between Matt Jarboe (“Hit Me With Your Best Shot”) and Robin Basil (“Alcoballics”). Matt won this match 3-0 handing Robin his first loss of the season.



Three weeks to go. Plenty of time to get your matches in. “Boom-da-da-boom-da-boom-boom-boom!”

“SURE TO SHANK REDEMPTION” REDEEM THEMSELVES

Summer League round 3~~

From 8th – and last by a country mile – to 4th in one week. “Sure to Shank Redemption” almost doubled their score overnight to put themselves in play-off contention with a healthy showing in round 3 of the Summer League. With Arnaud Mangin winning 3-0, Tom Healy winning 2-1, and 2 other players picking up another game each, adding on the 5 bonus points, the team added 12 points which was 3 more than the next best “Volleybrawlers” who also improved their standings to second.

In a league first, in the match-up between “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” and “Alcoballics”, they secured themselves a big fat bagel for the night – not one match played, or one bonus point earned. Unsurprisingly these two teams now sit in the last two spots on the ladder.

The video clip is of Brien Baker (“Volleybrawlers”) versus Blake Ellis (“Sure to Shank Redemption”) during their first game. Brien took that one, then the guys split the next two giving Brien the 2-1 victory. There are a lot of short rallies in the clip making the squash a little messy and jerky, but the players settled in afterwards and ran themselves ragged for the second and third.



Now I know that the very well attended annual golf outing clashed with this round and a handful of squash players took part. But I’m not buying it as an excuse. Everybody has had plenty of time to organize their match since round 2 two weeks ago. And believe it not, time is already running out. Round 4 next week is past half-way. Even though you have until July 12 (inclusive) to have your matches done, it’s a mere 5 weeks away… Finals start on July 18.

THE SQUASH POET #6

I am sure many of you will be able to connect to this! I am fully aware at how complicated learning the squash technique can be and the coordination required to do it smoothly and consistently. The Squash Poet feels that agony too. I wonder if these words bring back any nightmares you might have after lessons with me!

In my determination to improve
The logical choice was to take some lessons
But my money should have been spent
On a loaded “Smith and Wesson”.

From the outside it looks so easy
A gentle stroll from shot to shot
But the ball it moves so quickly
And my fat backside definitely cannot!

The technique has endless components
I can’t possibly remember them all
When I concentrate on any of it
I forget to hit the ball!

I’ve worked and sweat like never before
Never thought it could be so grueling
Even after the warm-ups
I was dribbling and drooling.

I now respect the game immensely
And the players who are the best
But amid all of my complaining
I have unquestionably progressed.

The Squash Poet


My Squash Lessons

I took a series of lessons with our hot new squash pro,
A star on the tour which was not long ago,
I was desperate to learn all the tricks of the trade,
My play has been awful for almost a decade.

How do I hit that ball always straight?
Why do my opponents always anticipate?
Teach me how to avoid hitting out,
And what on earth is a ‘corkscrew’ about?

So I took to the court expecting the best,
But it didn’t take long before I was really depressed,
I knew my game needed help all along,
But was every aspect of my technique so wrong?

On your toes, racquet up, watch the ball, to the ‘T’,
To hit it straight, hit in line with your front knee,
Not too close, not too far, turn your hips, face the wall,
Weight forward, perfect balance, but hang on! That’s not all!

Make sure you swing through but follow-through very straight,
Don’t turn your hips… Whoops! Too late!
Try it again, but keep your trunk very still,
Now repeat a thousand times to master this skill!

Just as I thought I was getting command,
He switches up sides and we start on my backhand,
The movement is the same – it’s a piece of cake!
Just make sure that your wrist doesn’t break!

Having a cocked wrist seems an impossible task,
And by now I’m wishing I bought my hip flask,
Run forwards, now backwards, now side-step and skip,
And while we’re at it, let us change up your grip!

The boasts and cross-courts have me completely perplexed,
Reading a ball off three walls appears terribly complex,
Don’t run to the corner, don’t scoop, bend your knees,
Turn your hips, racquet back, hit a boast if you please.

Head up, concentrate, get in front, then attack,
When you’re in trouble hit a lob, to the ‘T’ then comeback,
Hit it hard and then soft, hit fast and slow,
Take the volley, let it bounce, hit high and then low.

I took all this advice and worked hard on my game,
My hot new pro was right, my squash would never be the same,
I thought and I calculated, I concentrated and added,
But now the four walls that surround me are padded!

The Squash Poet

DOUBLES 100 WINNERS

We were slightly down on entries this year in the Doubles 100 Tournament which is naturally a little disappointing. While the leagues have been running fairly well this half season and finding subs hasn’t been too difficult either, I would have thought players would have been motivated to give this event a crack – especially with an ‘A’ and ‘B’ draw. Alas, it wasn’t the case. The drop in registrations was only in the A category: from 8 teams last year to only 5 teams this year, which ended up being 4 teams when one team dropped out due to injury. The B draw stayed the same with 8 teams.

Looking at the B draw first, I was surprised the scores weren’t closer. On paper, I was expecting a few of the matches to go at least to 4 if not 5 games. However, all first rounds ended up 3-0 as did the second semi final. The first semi final did get stretched to 4 games where Joe Moran and Ken Katz (aged 121) defeated Bob Garvey (winner of the recent Doubles Select Tournament) and Shail Arora (aged 111). The Moran / Katz team were seeded one and they met the second seeded of John Chouinard and Mike Petix (aged 106) in the final. The closeness of this match made up for all the other results. Deep into the 5th game, the score reached 13-all. Set 5 was decided. Chouinard / Petix jumped ahead quickly in the tie-break to 4-1 earning themselves 4 match balls. But Moran / Katz fought back under the pressure tying it at 4-all and bringing the entire tournament down to one sudden-death rally. I’ll use the words straight from the horse’s mouth (Joe Moran’s mouth, that is) to describe the final shot of this monumental battle: “I tinned a poorly chosen backhand drop shot” which gave Chouinard / Petix a historic 18-17 in the 5th win.

The A draw was thin to say the least. With only 4 teams, everybody started off in the semi final meaning they only had to win 1 match to play for the title. It was made even thinner when the second semi final was decided by a forfeit which gave the Peter Logan and Patrick Petz (aged 104) team a free pass to the final where they met last year’s winners Bob Thibodeau and Bowden Brown (aged 118). History was on Bob and Bowden’s side, as they had eliminated the Petz / Logan team in the semi finals for the last two years. Now why this draw has taken over 4 months to complete is quite simple. The original date was set to play the final in March, but the dreaded 24-hour flu struck down one of the players. After that, Bob decided that he needed a couple of months down south so he could secretly train for this all important encounter. Did it pay off? Naturally Patrick and Peter were keen to defeat their nemesis, they did not want to be sent packing by this pair three years running. Both teams started off equally strong. Only a couple of points separated them through the first game and the justified tie-break was won 16-14 by Petz and Logan. However, back came the reigning champs. Bob and Bowden took the second 15-13 to even it up, but couldn’t keep that trend going as they then lost the third 15-12 and with it any momentum they may have had. Before they could blink, they were 11-2 down in the fourth. Still, they made Patrick and Peter a little nervous toward the end as they crept back into striking distance but it was too little too late and they went down 15-10. Congratulations to the Petz / Logan team! [Photo: Bowden Brown, Bob Thibodeau, Peter Logan, Patrick Petz]

THE STATE OF MICHIGAN SQUASH

Unbeknownst to probably most of you, the Michigan Squash Racquets Association (MSRA) has been a ‘rogue’ entity for the past 7 years at least. They have been unrecognized in the eyes of US Squash. Why this has been so hard to rectify is as inexplicable as it is illogical to me.

The reason behind the separation lies in the fact that the MSRA refused to abide by one of the US Squash rules of membership payment. Simply put, no state association is allowed to offer state only memberships. They must provide full membership to US Squash which in turn includes the state membership. For some reason, the MSRA decided 7 years ago to allow players to sign up as Michigan squash members only and if you wanted to join US Squash as well, you had to register separately with them. The dollar difference? $50. Per year. MSRA annual fee is $25, US Squash annual fee (which includes MSRA) is $75. Not exactly budget breaking.

One of the misgivings holding the unification back is that asking MSRA members to suddenly pay that $50 per year more, that most of them will bail which will in turn leave them with too few members to survive. Firstly, it shouldn’t even be an option, and secondly (at the time I am writing this) there are already 100 people who are MSRA and US Squash members. (22 of which are juniors.) And that’s currently with the option. I agree that some MSRA members will stop paying, but I doubt there will be the mass exodus that some naysayers are predicting. The number of members is already at a survivable level. Recent discussions have brought this issue to a head. While progress was being made within the MSRA board to re-align themselves with US Squash, it has now been thrust upon them with a do-or-die ultimatum.

I won’t go into the details of what that ultimatum was, but suffice to say that the MSRA was looking down the barrel at a very perilous situation. Cooler heads are prevailing and now the ball is rolling in the correct direction.

Soon, the MSRA once again will back into the ranks of the US Squash world. Exactly where it should be.

I am sure many of you are asking, “why is this necessary?” To what benefit is there for the MSRA to align themselves with US Squash? For an extra $50, not including the US Squash magazine every member receives monthly, who cares? All US Squash members receive access to their website and all its member features. They receive a national ranking and rating, can contact other US Squash members around the country, and enter US Squash sanctioned events. Unless you travel to play sanctioned events, on the surface it doesn’t sound like much, but you would be supporting the sport which is extremely important – and in turn that supports Michigan squash too.

US Squash in return already support squash in this state. They provide grants in excess of $20,000 to NUSEA – the national urban squash program who pass on some of that money to help support the Racquet Up Detroit program headed by our own member Derek Aguirre. They also donated $500 directly to the Racquet Up Detroit program through the recent Fundraiser that was held at the DAC on May 14. The pro event ‘Motor City Open’ run at the BAC every year will be part of the US Open Series and will receive national promotion and sponsorship dollars. This is nothing to be sneezed at. And we should be supporting them in return.

However, before we all bow to our knees, reach for the sky and pronounce that we are ‘saved’, much work needs to be done. It’s no secret that Michigan is not the squash Mecca of the US. We do not have hundreds of players playing countless tournaments, nor do we have hundreds of players participating in travel leagues. In fact, the participation level is rather abysmal. Travel league consisted of 2 levels this past season only and a total of 15 teams. Of those 15 teams, only 1 was from the DAC and 1 from the BAC – the two biggest squash clubs in the state. Convincing our members to play in the travel league has proven to be more difficult than convincing the MSRA board to abide by US Squash regulations.

Aligning the association is a big step forward. With all parties pushing down the same path, focus can now be turned to increasing participation. Many things need to be addressed and fixed. Travel League for one, which also now faces another major predicament with the new strict club rules imposed on all Life Time Fitness (LTF) facilities. Many of the teams in the current travel league stem from the LTF clubs around metro Detroit. Without these teams, the league would simply die. However, LTF management (US wide, I presume) have implemented a stringent guest policy (including guest fees), insurance policy, court scheduling policy with team rosters submitted in advance just to name a few hurdles the MSRA have to navigate over. They are basically giving the impression to the MSRA that the travel league is not welcome in their clubs. Suggestions to move the travel league format from the once a week (during the week) schedule to a weekend and then only using the major clubs (DAC, BAC, Windsor and Franklin) have been made and will be discussed over the next few months.

Other topics for improvement include the website; how to increase participation in MSRA run events such as the skill and aged level singles and doubles tournaments; better and more efficient communication amongst all squash players in Detroit and Michigan; how to utilize the tools US Squash offers for all associations with their on-line ladders, leagues, rankings and ratings; increase membership; better scheduling.

I encourage each and every one of you to join US Squash which includes your MSRA membership too. Go to their website listed below. If any of you are in our box ladders which we run through the US Squash website then you are already in their system. Supporting the national body also supports our local one. If you are a squash player, then this is one of the best ways to ensure this sport will thrive in this state. At that only means better competition for you. In the end, everybody wins.

US Squash: https://www.ussquash.com/
MSRA: http://www.michigansquash.org/
Racquet Up Detroit: http://www.racquetup.org/

THE START OF THE SUMMER

I have to admit, I was a startled to see only 56 registrations in the Summer League this season. That’s down from the 64 in 2010, and well off the record of 72 back in 2007. Since court usage has been very good this year, I thought 64 players would have been a cinch. On the positive side, I am happy to see the handful of new faces entering into the arena. Nine members are rookies to the summer league and two are back from a long hiatus.

When the teams were released a week ago, I received a couple of questioning remarks regarding placing Robin Basil in the number 1 position. Robin, as you know, just won the 3.0 club championships division and looked pretty dominating throughout the whole draw. However, it was a little risky since I had very few results to back my decision up and I know it is still only one match, but so far Robin has proved me right. He beat Paul Huth 3-0 last night and continues to impress.

Someone else off to a good start (and newbie) was Jeff Jardine. Even though he joined the club in late March this year, he is already a self confessed squash addict. He took the more experienced Tom Bergh 3-0 and could be one to watch out for amongst the number 6’s. Manny Tancer is definitely not new to the game, but it has been at least a couple of years since he has played in the leagues. He was still active on the squash court during that time, so no rust had developed as Sean Fossee found out after losing all 3 games. Manny will be tough to beat at number 2.

It is too early in the season to predict which 4 teams will be making the finals and which 4 teams won’t. One thing for sure though is that playing your matches – especially in the Summer League – is an absolute must to give your team even the slightest hint of a chance. Playing catch-up in a 7-week season can be virtually impossible so you do not under any circumstances want to fall too far behind.

MEET A MEMBER - 6

Not that this man is even nearly as old, but when I first met this member, he instantly reminded me of my father. A jolly Englishman with that dry British wit and wasn’t shy of downing a pint or two. (My father was actually Welsh, but who can tell the difference?) Almost impossible not to like, he has immersed himself into all the squash activities, has even played a tournament in Windsor, and can crack the ball pretty darn hard.

MEET… ALAN HOWARD

The Squash Joint (TSJ): “Tell us how you came about joining the DAC.”

I’m a member of Birmingham Athletic Club and had an invitation to dine just before Christmas. That’s really all it took, the gym, pool and location were all bonuses. Oh! I forgot to mention the squash – A classy joint! - The courts I mean not Mick.

TSJ: “What types of sports did you play at school in England and is that where you learnt to play squash?”

At school it was track, gymnastics and of course rugby. Squash was a sport I started on leaving school at 18. Track – I was not fast enough, Gymnastics I hated wearing tights, and rugby although I carried on for a few years started to hurt. I started playing squash at a club in Richmond where my rugby club was. By strange coincidence Richmond was a great town for pubs (bars in American) and that’s where I meet Sue my wife now for 37 years – she to this day hates squash and believes it’ll give me a heart attack!

TSJ: “Your business has you travelling and moving around a lot. Where have you lived and which place was your favorite?”

Heavens, that’s a long list. Outside of the UK (Where I was born) – France, Spain, Singapore, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Philadelphia and here in Detroit. My favorite place is none of these. Mick’s home country Australia, just perfect. I just went there too late in life! [Photo left: Alan playing a drum on the streets in India]

TSJ: “What was the last book you read?”

I do not read books, they take too long.

TSJ: “My father loved to watch British comedy series. “Yes Minister”, “Fawlty Towers”, Black Adder” just to name a few. Which was your favorite and are the any American comedy series you consider to be just as good?”

John Cleese and Fawlty Towers are classics and in that theme Monty Python. In that same time period but different I used to love the Rowland Martin’s Laugh In but I’m going back in years and showing my age.

TSJ: “What is the one part of your squash game you would desperately like to change and what is the one part of your game you see as your best weapon?”

As Mick will know my game is unsophisticated. When I was young it was that after a few rallies and I’ll start sweating badly and go extremely red. My opponents used to think I was unfit and dead. How wrong they were, I could run any ball down for more than an hour, the original Energizer Bunny. Now if I sweat and go red, I’m bushed and in need of oxygen!

TSJ: “You are at a karaoke bar and have had a couple pints too many. You insist on singing the next song and you choose one that you already know all the words to. What song is it?”
That’s easy. Having lived in Asia you need a set piece and I used to specialize in “House of the Rising Sun” by the Animals – slow, no high notes and you can slaughter it without anyone noticing.

TSJ: “How have you so far enjoyed living in Detroit? Does your wife feel the same way?”

Just great and I really believe Detroit on the world stage gets a bad rap. The weather is fantastic and the blue skies are just special. Couple that with the people - friendly, down to earth and willing to accept a Brit with some very weird points of view, I am truly enjoying my time here. I have leant over the years not to answer for my nearest and dearest!

TSJ: “The DAC is inarguably one of the nicest clubs in the United States, if not the world. Is there anything aspect of the club that you would change?”

Fix the gas leak on the 3rd floor! But seriously no, I have only been a member since February this year and the customs and rules make the club. The staff in all departments – restaurant, sports, and the folks that handle cars are just special. Link that with the members, who have in my short time have made me feel so welcome. As an outsider I have never felt a stranger and have steadily built up a great set of friends.

TSJ: “If you didn’t have to work for the rest of your life, where would you go and what would you do?”

First, and as strange as it might seem I just love to work and I have a huge fear of that ending. I now have homes here in Detroit, London in the UK and Marbella in Spain, so have no problem living where I choose. I just love travel, in a few days I go to Jordan – Petra and the Dead Sea. So staying fit and healthy to carry on doing that is important. But I do have a dream. I’d like to drive from London to Singapore, which with the completion on the tunnel between UK and France is possible without ever getting on a boat or plane. So that’s on the bucket list along with walking Kilimanjaro, going to Tibet and going back to Melbourne, Australia to see just one more Aussie rules rugby game.

TSJ: “You have been given the ability to bring one famous person back to life. Who do you resurrect and why?”

Winston Churchill, he was inspirational as a leader in a time just before I was born and the UK with a different leader and outcome in WW II would have made my life so different. The movie the “Kings Speech” has awakened the thought believe it or not to read a book!

TSJ: “The last question is usually the most important and thought provoking one. Please take your time before answering… What is the one chore is the house you absolutely hate doing, but do it anyway?”

Being subservient to the boss!


Thank you very much to Alan for opening up to us. Make sure you say ‘Hi!” to him when you see him around the courts. He will surely be more than happy to share a cold beverage with you after a tough squash game or two! I would like to thank him for his candor in answering all of these ingenious questions and letting us in on a few personal topics. Maybe one day we could all be so lucky (or unlucky) to hear his rendition of “House of the Rising Sun” ! [Pictured above - Alan (back row on the left) and his lovely family]

AND THE WINNERS ARE…

2011 Club Championships~~

Here we are once again. The Wimbledon of the DAC Squash Calendar, the Daytona 500, the Oscars, the Vince Lombardi Trophy, and, in some cases, the Darwin Awards, but whatever you want to call it, the Club Championships is that one tournament a year where members can insert themselves into history, put their hands on their hips, dance a little jig, blow a raspberry and pronounce, “Na na ni-na na!” to all of their fallen comrades!

2.5 – Don’t underestimate the Handballer…
Just because Tom Fabbri is used to patting around a larger, bouncier blue ball with his hands, doesn’t mean he can’t wield a squash racquet with some level of skill. This isn’t the first time we have had someone from the glove department try their hand (pardon the pun) at squash. Alex Bieri did it successfully in 2005 when he won the 2.5 category. Tom’s experience also helps him to understand that you need to play smarter, not harder, which is a big reason for his rapid improvement over the past 12 months. On his way to the final, Tom dropped only one game which was in the semi to Chuck Doyle. I wasn’t exactly stunned to see him in the final (I predicted he would be), but I was surprised at his opponent when he got there. Dark horse Sante Fratarcangeli did it the hard way. He beat last year’s 2.5 finalist Andrew Spohn in the first round 3-2, then he beat Ted Mabley 3-1 in the quarters, before knocking off my other finalist prediction Brandon Dobbins in the semi in a tough 3-1 contest. Could Sante’s good form get him over the wily Tom? Well, for a while it appeared as if it could. Sante started strongly taking the first game 9-4 but he seemed to lose the momentum early in the second as Tom quickly evened it up with a 9-1 win. The next two games were close. Tom moved the ball around very well making his opponent cover a lot of court. Sante kept up nicely but fell a couple of points short on both occasions losing them 9-6 and 9-7. A very pleased Mr. Fabbri now has his sights on the 3.0 next year and has already started his training!

3.0 – Don’t underestimate the Racquetballer…
When Robin Basil asked to be thrown into the squash Club Championships, I initially thought he was joking. Robin is the DAC’s best racquetball player – and racquetball chairman – so I wondered why he would want to try squash. He mentioned he had hit the squash ball a couple of times – never seriously - and we had no idea which category to put him in. I contemplated the 2.5 draw, but in the end decided the 3.0 seemed a good guess. Back then. How wrong we were. He systematically destroyed everyone that came his way. After racquetball, the squash racquet must feel like he is swinging with a tea-spoon but that didn’t stop him from generating plenty of power. He is also very quick, and is used to hitting unusual angles at unusual moments which of course throws the ‘normal’ squash player off. With a little improved technique, Robin could easily be competitive a couple levels up. His finals opponent (or unfortunate victim in this case) was James Van Dyke. James is another player that has improved considerably this season. He won the 2.5 category last year, and if Robin wasn’t in the draw, could have won the 3.0 this year. He may be disappointed with his 3-1 loss, but he was the only player in the draw take a game off Robin and make him work for the win. It is fantastic for the squash crowd to have Robin getting involved. We hope he sticks with it. For the record, he also won the open Racquetball division. [Pictured - Robin Basil and James Van Dyke]

3.5 – Can this Fracchia fellow stop winning...?
The 3.5 draw has always been the most populated one so you can make the argument that it is the hardest to win. The most unexpected detail I found over the course of this event was how few 3-2 results came in. Last year, this category yielded 6 five-set results, there were 7 in 2009 and 5 in 2008. This year: 3. One of those belongs to Chris Van Tol, who has made everyone look twice at the draw to make sure they weren’t seeing things. Firstly, he beat one of the category favorites Rich Stimson 3-0, then Al Iafrate 3-1, and to back that up, in the comeback of the tournament, after being 2 games to 1 down and 7-2 down in the 4th, he beats Ken MacDonald in five to reach the final. Standing in Chris’s way to victory was Anthony Fracchia. Including the 3 matches leading up to this final (that he won 3-0), Anthony has won 16 of his past 17 recorded matches. He is another member that has shown swift progress over recent months. Watching the match, many of the rallies went back and forth with both players having to explore all four corners numerous times. It is one thing to hang tough during the point, but another thing to end them. Chris unfortunately kept on finding the tin before Anthony did and that of course hurt him. Even though he had to work hard, Anthony took all three games proving without a doubt he deserved the title.

4.0 – Baker’s sweet revenge…
Twelve months ago, Brien Baker and Matt Jarboe played off in the 3.5 final in one of the most entertaining matches you could witness. Kind of like the Rocky Balboa versus Apollo Creed fight in the second Rocky movie where in round 15 they are both lying on the canvass and the first one able to stand up would be declared the winner. Matt won that match 10-9 in the 5th, and since then these two have been battling each other in what has turned out to be an extremely challenging and engaging rivalry. Since that match, in recorded results (box ladder and boasters) they have played 5 times. Brien has won three times (twice 3-2 and once 2-1) and Matt twice (once 3-2, once 3-1). That’s not counting practice matches, where I am sure they have had many down-to-the wire scores too. And here they were again playing off in the 4.0 final. This time however, it went against the trend. It was a 3-0 result. Both players still came off the court sucking wind, but it was Brien who managed to win the games. It was a satisfying win for Brien, but he didn’t have long to savor it. Both of them were also to face off in the 4.5 final.

4.5 – Jarboe’s sweet revenge…
I could simply re-write the above paragraph for this category. While it doesn’t occur all that often, it does happen often enough that we get one player in the final of two categories. In this case, we have the same two players in the final as the 4.0 category. That’s just silly. So, for next year, we will only allow members to play one level only. It may also help with having matches completed before the set deadlines if everybody only has one opponent at time to worry about. Both Matt and Brien had tougher roads to the final here than in the 4.0 category (as they should have had). Brien overcame last year’s 4.5 winner Scott Adlhoch in 5 in the semi, and Matt dropped his game against Paul Ward in round 1. Two days after the 4.0 final, it would be interesting to see how both players would react from that result. Could Brien keep the mental edge he had created, or could Matt step up and make a mends? Once again, it was a 3-0 result. It’s strange how things turn out. Maybe the loss from 2 days ago motivated Matt to run even more, and maybe that win gave Brien an overconfidence to make him relax too much. Either way, it was Brien’s turn to give up the goods. It was along 3-setter, and if Brien managed to snag the third game I think we would have been in for another marathon encounter. He didn’t, and the Jarboe-Baker series for 2011 ends at one title apiece. [Pictured: Matt Jarboe and Brien Baker]

5.0 – George keeps rising through the ranks…
At this pace, George Kordas should be winning the open category in about 2 years… no pressure, my friend! Just to give you an idea of how quickly George has ascended, he won the 3.0 level in 2008, the 3.5 in 2009, and now he is competing for the 5.0 title in 2011! This was actually the one category that I could have had a long list of potential winners. One any given day, these results could have been reversed, so no result was really too shocking. I suppose the two scores that did get me to raise my eye-brows just a little was Andrew Pitters’ 3-0 win over Derek Aguirre in round 1 and Chuck Hamill’s 3-2 victory over Eric Green in the semi after being 2-0 down. But maybe I shouldn’t have been so shocked at Chuck’s win. He showed that his success over Eric wasn’t a fluke as his awkward – but clever – style raced him to a 2-0 game lead in the final. George is not a stranger to having to dig in and guts out a match and he needed every ounce of effort in this case if he were to do so. Taking it one point at a time, he slowly reeled Chuck in and eventually completed the comeback to win the match 3-2. Afterwards, a very satisfied George praised Chuck at just how tough an opponent he is.

Open – Old rivals back at it…
Ever since 1992 – with the exception of 2 years – the winner of the Open category has been split between Peter Logan and Kirk Haggarty. Peter has won it 8 times, and Kirk 9. However, this is the first time these two have actually played each other in the final since 2008. Both of them got there without dropping a game, which was to be expected. But naturally they both couldn’t continue to win, so somebody had to give. Sadly, what gave was Kirk’s leg. At 4-7 in the first game Kirk had to concede the match due to an injury which he had sustained a few days earlier. It was an unhappy ending to this much anticipated match. Believe me, there is nothing more frustrating as a player to have to withdraw in the middle of a match, and there is no more unsatisfying way to win either when you are on the other side. That’s not to take anything away from Peter. He works hard to maintain his standard and level of fitness and – I hope he doesn’t mind me saying – at the ripe ol’ age of 53, we could all learn a thing or two from him of how to look after our bodies. We all hope Kirk can recover quickly from this and get back on court regularly and once again pick up this rivalry to the stage of where it should be. [Picture: Kirk Haggarty and Peter Logan]

So is the Logan / Haggarty domination nearing its end? Even though these two continue to win the Club Championship titles, the rest of the crowd is getting closer. The good news is that the Open draw is becoming more competitive. With 12 registrations, it is the most players we have had since at least 2005. The emergence of the younger crew – for example Rakolta, Kordas and Jarboe amongst others – is placing more pressure on the top pair and they will continue to improve. The next couple of years might be very interesting. To see all the DAC Club Championship results since 2005, you can go to: http://thesquashjoint.blogspot.com/p/dac-club-championships-results.html

Congratulations to all the winners and finalists for 2011! Don’t forget you have all qualified for selection for the 2012 Farris Cup versus the BAC which will be scheduled for January 7 in Birmingham. We need to get that Cup back now that we let them have it for a year!

PUT YOUR GENEROSITY BOOTS ON

By now, most (if not all) of you have heard about the ‘Racquet Up Detroit’ program run by our very own DAC member Derek Aguirre. If you haven’t, then I suggest you click into his website: http://www.racquetup.org/ and read an interview I did with him on this blog: http://thesquashjoint.blogspot.com/2010/11/meet-member-2.html .

It is truly inspirational what Derek is doing and achieving with this program. Many of our DAC members donate their time and help out on a regular basis with either the on-court squash instruction, or in the classroom teaching these underprivileged children from the poorest areas of our city. It is giving all of these kids a chance to succeed in life. A chance they would surely never have a hope of receiving otherwise. But running such a program costs money, and that money must come from somewhere. To run Racquet Up Detroit successfully, Derek relies on the kindness and generosity from companies and individuals that are willing to donate dollars, services, products and time. For example, I know that DAC member Ken Stann, who represents the SVS Vision Company, donated his time and services and gave all the kids in the program eye-exams and then provided glasses to the many that needed them. It is just one of the many ways you could help out too.

On Saturday, May 14 at the DAC, headed by the MSRA, we are hosting the third annual Junior Fundraising Benefit. Starting at 12pm, the schedule is as follows:

• 12pm – Junior exhibition games. These games will include juniors from the Racquet Up Detroit program as well as top juniors from the Detroit area.
• 1:15pm – Derek will speak about his program and how you can help out.
• 1.30pm – Pro Exhibition. I will be attempting to relive the good ‘ol days and pretend to practice what I preach. Who I will be playing is unclear right now. It may be BAC pro Julian Wellings, however I hear the poor lad is having his wisdom teeth removed 2 days prior to the event, which I think would rule him out. It may be Mark Porter from Windsor otherwise.
• 2.30pm – MSRA awards.

So come to the DAC and support these kids, help shape their future. Every single type of donation will be greatly appreciated and needed. The fee to attend is $25 if you register early or $30 the day of. Net proceeds go towards Racquet Up Detroit. Pop and a keg will be provided along with snacks. Your account can be charged for the fee and I will then pass along a check to the MSRA. Or you can pay MSRA directly on the day.

Make a difference in these kids’ lives.

CHAMPIONS OF THE DOUBLES COURT

Club Championships 2011

Doubles C~~
Lately, there does seem to be more interest in the doubles. Certainly a terrific trend since more competition will only improve the standard. The Doubles C Club Championship draw had 10 teams enter this year, many new faces, and of the 9 matches played, only 2 of them ended up 3-0 which shows how close the contests were.

New kids on the block Sante Fratarcangeli and Jason Trombley paired up without even having played a match before. A daunting task to say the least, but when Jason injured his ankle during the Blitz Tournament in March a replacement needed to be found. Drew Creamer - who does have doubles experience - then stepped in. This proved to be valuable. Sante and Drew pulled out an upset 3-2 win over Bob Bendzinski and Mark Monaghan. Their prize? A match with the top seeded Mike Petix and Paul Flanagan. A second upset was not on the cards as they lost 3-0. Mike and Paul then went on to win their semi final 3-0 as well.

Another first time entrant into the club championship was Harold Kuhn and Mike Ryan. Harold and Mike are not new to the game, but most people in the draw didn’t know them. Early mornings in the week – 6am early that is – you may find them playing a match which is why I had their opponents asking me where they came from. Tom McCarthy and Joe Schaden found out they could hit a good ball too as they fell victim 3-1 in the first round. Harold and Mike were looking formidable and a good possibility of reaching the final but fell short in the semi finals where they lost to last year’s doubles C finalists Joe Moran and Ken Katz 3-1.

Naturally Joe and Ken were attempting to get one step further this year. However Mike and Paul were not exactly pushovers. Certainly being a younger team as well (no offence to Ken and Joe!) made it all the more difficult so tactfully, they had to be consistent and precise. Once again, though, they were pipped at the post. Going down fighting, they lost 3-1 – just like in 2010. Well done to Mike Petix and Paul Flanagan!

Doubles B~~
For the second year in a row the Ryan Bendzinski and Rich Stimson versus John Dunwoody and Chris Terry match-up would decide the final. Back in 2009, Ryan and Rich shocked just about everybody when they won the B draw (beating Al Hibbert and Kevin Parsons 15-11 in the 5th in the final) because no one really considered them a danger. They proved it wasn't a lucky run and also reached the final in 2010 against John and Chris but went down 18-13 in the 5th. Would 2011 be just as close? Before we get to the result, we’ll quickly look at how the two pairs reached the final in the first place. [Pictured right: Rich Stimson, Ryan Bendzinski, John Dunwoody, Chris Terry]

Only 7 teams entered the B draw. Rich and Ryan were given top seeds and had the bye first round so only had to win one match to reach the final. In that match, they played the Shumaker brothers – Peter and Tom. It was a tight, intense affair. The 4 games were all pretty close and Rich and Ryan just happened to end up on the correct side of 3 of them.

John and Chris were given the second seed despite winning last year. This was mainly due to the fact that both of them had been injured for a significant period over the season and were just getting back to match fitness. Despite that, they managed to beat their round 1 opponents 3-0 before tackling last year’s doubles C winners Anthony Fracchia and Andy Housey in the semis. Anthony and Andy put up a good performance but couldn’t quite be consistent enough. John and Chris won 3-1.

True to predictions, the final was close. Very close. John and Chris jumped to an early advantage winning the first two games and for a while it looked as if a comfortable victory was in the bag. But it is easy to relax when you are cruising and lose all the momentum that got you there in the first place. And that’s exactly what happened. Rich and Ryan came storming back to even the score a 2 games apiece and for a third straight year the B final would go to 5. Apart from age, body shape, and everything else you could think of, nothing separated the two teams. All the way to 15-all and one sudden-death point to decide the winners. It was Rich Stimson’s thick frame (his racquet frame that is) that caught the edge of the ball in the final rally to shank a winner just above the tin and end John’s and Chris’ dreams and hopes. 16-15 in the 5th! Well done to Rich and Ryan!

Doubles A~~
For the third year in a row, the Doubles A final had the same protagonists. Peter Logan and John Birgbauer won the event in 2009 in 5 games over Kirk Haggarty and Mike Eugenio, and then lost the final in 2010 in 4 games to the same team. Both pairs had little trouble getting this far, although Peter and John did drop one game in the first round to George Kordas and Eric Green. Edition 2011 had all the markings of a great battle… [pictured right: Peter Logan, John Birgbauer, Mike Eugenio, Kirk Haggarty]

The most surprising thing about the result was not who won because either team stood a great chance to do so, but the score line. 3-0. At least two of the games were close enough to go to the tie-breaker with the other one being all one-way traffic, however I would have thought the games would have been shared around a little. Regrettably for Mike and Kirk, their opponents were in a stingy mood and showed no desire to divide up the spoils. John and Peter took all 3 games and once again will have their names etched for all eternity on the DAC Champions board. Congratulations, fellas!