The 2008 Spring Break Open
Sarasota FL – Sunny Florida during spring break and a little racquetball to boot is what this event was all about! Event director Kim Roy hosted the IRT last season for a satellite event and accepted the challenge to running a full ranking event this year. She did not let down the Florida racquetball faithful and pulled together a fantastic event. The Sarasota Racquet and Health Club was the host club and was busy all weekend. Not only did the club host the IRT they also had an tennis event going on at the same time on their twenty nine outdoor tennis courts. Only in Florida during spring break. Many of the tour players were able to catch a spring training game and IRT board of director Rich Donnelly who works for the Pittsburgh Pirates was on hand and tested his skill against the likes of Jason Mannino and Rocky Carson Thursday night and held his own. Tour commissioner Dave Negrete did have the pleasure of meeting Detroit Tigers manager, Jim Leyland while on a visit to a Pirates and Tigers game and when he asked if he had played any racquetball against Donnelly he replied “I don’t play with B players”. This comment brought a huge laugh from the Rich and the commissioner. Rich is a huge supporter of the game and from experience playing with him, is much, much better than a “B” player. Just yell out the word racquetball at a Pirates game if you see Coach Donnelly and he will acknowledge you immediately.
As far as the play went here there was one player who came into his own this weekend and that was Ben Croft. He was in a tough battle with Jason Mannino in their quarterfinal match and been dove for a ball in the third game and split his chin open in the process. After some medical attention the only way for Ben to continue playing was to transform into “the Mummy” Croft had to wrap his head and chin with gauze to keep the butterfly bandages from coming undone from the sweat. Ben would somehow win game three and after being down 10-6 in the fifth he would miraculously find a way to win the match 12-10 in the fifth much to Mannino’s dismay. Croft would head to the hospital right after the match and require eight stitches to the chin.
The title in this tournament would go to Rocky Carson as he would win in three straight games over Jack Huczek. These two have been battling all year in the finals and this would be the first three game victory by either. Rocky would avenge is defeat in San Diego the week prior when he had control of the final against Jack only to have Huczek steal it away.
This was a very well run event for the first year and we look forward to coming back next season.
Side notes:
Kim Roy did a great job in running her first full ranking event. She has a tremendous support staff in southwest Florida and is very well respected. She teaches and programs at over seven facilities and those clubs are very fortunate to have her.
There was great hospitality all weekend at the event and no player went home hungry.
The tournament also raised money for junior racquetball and Kim Roy has spearheaded that crusade also. She chaperone and helps fund Florida juniors to the nationals each year. The IRT was very happy to support the Florida junior program.
Thanks to the Sarasota Racquet and Health Club for hosting the event. This was a very impressive facility and definitely promotes racquetball to its fullest in the community. Many of the top Florida players play here.
It was great to get out to see some baseball as Alvaro Beltran was seen out at the Reds-Yankees game and the commissioner at a Reds - Braves game. The Reds spring training facility and park were fifteen minutes from the club.
Look for the IRT to be back next March during spring break once again.