NARA - Montreal News

MONTREAL RACKET CLUB

Canadian Amateur Championships

February 4^th – February 7^th, 2010

The Montreal rackets’ weekend has come to a close. Everything was finished in time for all to gather their belongings, head to the airport, head home or wind up at Beattie’s place for the Super Bowl.

The weekend started off in grand fashion with a few presentations during the Gentlemen’s Dinner on Thursday night. The late Gordie Simpson, longtime MRC employee, was given an Honorary Membership posthumously. Gordie worked at the club for over 50 years marking, making balls and shining your shoes. Sadly he passed in the fall. His presence will be missed but his name will be forever engraved on The Wall. Michael Goodell, DRC member and visitor to the Canadians for over 23 years was also made an Honorary Member. It was a great thrill for Mr. Goodell and totally, in his words, unexpected. But in the words of many, very deserved. Way to go, Mike. Bravo!!!!

The evening was highlighted by the presentation of the Ken Chantler Award to R.E.F. Kaulbach. This award is for the love of the game, the dedication to the game and the encouragement of the game. Ronnie has played the game for years, travelled to all rackets’ venues in the past and has given much back to the game. He joins Michael Huband, Ed Ulmann, John Prenn, David McLernon and Denis Walsh as past recipients of this most cherished rackets’ award. Congratulations Ronnie for an award very, very warranted.

Oh, by the way, there was some rackets played on Thursday. The two best games of the evenings involved our newest Honorary Member, Michael Goodell. He played very well while teamed with partner/host/ bon vivant, James Madon as they were able to eke out a win against the MRC duo of Andrew Pepper and Wolf Rosner (9/15, 15/6 15/0). Later in the evening as I lie awake in bed, …Oh wait that is a song I sing at my local pub. Later in the evening, he hung on to defeat Denverite, Kendrik de Koning in two straight (18/16, 15/2). The usual array of stories were told and then the games began. Dice on the table, cards on another table and people in and out of the club all night. The last people left around 4:30 a.m. and the first people arrived to play around 6:30 a.m. No rest for the wicked.

Prior to the event, MRC Professional, Ryan Tulley had made the draws for the tournament. There were 50 players and as anyone who knows the MRC weekend, it would be a long Friday into Saturday a.m. There were 40-30 minute matches scheduled for Friday. The day started at 7:00 a.m. and went until the last game, scheduled for 2:30 a.m. In the past, people were late, games went longer and the play was always behind. Well this year, with Ryan and the Fellows in the markers’ box and a few members making sure the players were ready, there was no lateness, no falling behind. The last scheduled game started at about 2:40 a.m. and all were happy.

Throughout the day we had some great matches, some not-so-great ones but lots of entertainment for the galleries. Highlights of the day’s play would have to be Manny Tancer’s run to the round of 16. This 4 year player defeated Lucas Walsh and Mark Agate before succumbing to George Tysoe in the third round. Good on ya, Manny!!!! One other highlight had to be first year player, John Crowley’s game win in a match loss to Karel Nemec. Crowley made the trip to Montreal from Philly along with two other rookies, Garry Swantner and Tom Price. Price also won a game in a losing cause against Brit, Dom Wright. The day went along swimmingly as most of the favorites won their matches to continue.

The Friday Night buffet is always a wonderful time. This year was no different. But there was a twist this year. For the first time, the club tried a DJ to keep most people in the club. This new idea proved to be such a brilliant one, that Bryce was heard to say, “I don’t think I like the idea of a DJ, it works too well!!!” Mike MacKell, son of former NHL all-star and Bruin player, Fleming MacKell, spun the tunes until 2:30 a.m. Charles “Da Pimp” Madon arranged to have a bevy of young female students join the party. Well, at about 10:15 the parade started as these 20 gorgeous coeds marched into the Presidents’ Lounge, dressed to the nines and turned many heads. What a party, what a concept!!!! Thanks, Charles for a job well done!!! Thanks Bryce for the idea and thanks Mike for the tunes.

The quarter finals and the semi finals were held Saturday with few surprises. Alex Titchener-Barrett (1), Richard Spender (5), Ben Bomford (3) and James Coyne (2) all advanced to the singles’ semis. ATB defeated Spender in a spectacular semi-final, probably the best and most exciting matches of the day. The scores were 15/8, 15/7, 12/15, 15/9. 2006 Canadian Amateur champion, Ben Bomford managed to make another final as he got by James Coyne 15/1, 16/15, 15/0. Coyne was nursing a calf injury but Bomford’s play truly merited a date with ATB on Sunday. On the doubles side, top seeds Alastair Gourlay and Bomford advanced to the finals with a thrilling 4 game victory over Titchener-Barrett and MRC player Michel Couture. Michel played well over the tournament but his inexperience at this level was evident. The scores in this semi were 8/15, 15/9, 15/1 and 18/15. Others teams advancing were Tysoe/James Bailey and Sambrook/Nemec. In a bit of an upset the young Brits defeated the local boys 15/5, 17/14 nd 18/17 to reach the doubles final.

Of course Saturday night was the Ball, held once again at the exquisite Mount Royal Club. One hundred and ten beautiful people danced, ate, drank and had a seriously pleasing time. The Flyers with Ralph Steiner laid out rock and roll for the dancing pleasure of the guests. It was wonderful to see the band play with the lead singer with them. Last year, as some of you remember, there was a little mix-up with the band. The front man, Steiner, was absent (bad directions given by Ace). But he was there Saturday and the band played on. Once again DJ MacKell spun tunes for us during the band breaks.

Sunday brought us the finals. The singles final was over quickly. ATB was too much for Bomford. The scores were 15/4, 15/0 and 15/6. Bomford told this scribe after game two that the pace was too much for him and he could not ever get in front of his opponent and make winning shots.

Bomford was able to recover from the morning onslaught and with the same style of play, he and partner Gourlay won their secong title in three years with a win over the younger Brits 15/4, 6/15, 15/3/ 15/10. The younger lads were game but too many errors into the tin from hard-hitting Bailey proved to be their downfall. Congratulations to all the finalists and to all the players for a great event.

Of course nothing goes smoothly at the club on this weekend without the fine work of Bryce Maher and his staff. Randy, Chuck , Ryan and the rest worked hard and kept everyone happy. The other Ryan (Tulley) stepped up to the plate this year and hit a grand slam. The tournament ran without one single hitch. No problems whatsoever. The Fellows in the marking box were decisive with their calls and the play ran well. Kudos to you lads for a job well done.

Of course throughout the weekend we had to eat. Dominic and Phllippe provided us with truly gourmet selections the whole im starting with the Thursday night Stag and ending with the delicious Sunday Brunch.

Truly a great weekend and one for the archives. MRC, be proud!!!!!

Submitted by: Ace MacLellan

On the other half of the draw, Difiore squared off against Hammond. Two huge men, they matched each other in power and intensity, though in the end, Difiore's experience and homecourt advantage proved too much for the younger player. He negated Hammonds awesome power shots with brilliant positioning and an impressive command of his strokes. The games were close, and competitive, but in the end, it was Difiore in three. Game scores were 16-13, 15-12, 15-9.

In the Doubles semifinals, Sambrook and Price had an easy time of it against Molson and Beattie. Molson appeared to be trying to do too much, a not uncommon mistake for a younger player with a weaker partner. As a result he had too many unforced errors, trying to dictate points instead of allowing the play to come to him. Beattie competed gamely, but Sambrook's power and precision, and Price's flawless serves and impeccable positioning proved to be too much to overcome as the top seeds won in three.

Pritchard and Mawhinney played well throughout the tournament, but they saved their best for the semifinals against second seeds Difiore and Heward. The latter pair won the first game, but lost the second. The third went to set, but they prevailed. Building on that advantage, they quickly built a 14-5 lead in the fourth and deciding game. Their opponents closed to within 12-14, primarily on the strength of Pritchard's serve, but that was as far as they would get as Difiore closed them out.

Play finished early Saturday, leaving everyone plenty of time to get changed for cocktails, hosted by Hugh Blakely and Richard Cooper. Then it was off to the Mount Royal Club for a dinner dance which was smaller than usual, though no less exuberant. Among the highlights of the evening, we were informed, was the sight of your correspondent attempting to do the hand motions to YMCA while holding a full glass of whiskey. Apparently it was the M that was his downfall.

In the Rolland Cup, Detroit's Peter Dawson made his international competitive debut as both player and captain. He remains undefeated. Solely due to his leadership, Dawson led the American team, consisting of himself, Tim Merrill, Michael Goodell, Ron Kaulbach, Carl Bjurstrom, Blair Barwick and Jamie McEntyre to a 3-2 tie against the Canadians.

The finals were anticlimactic, with Sambrook dissecting Difiore 15-6, 15-4, 15-0, though the second game featured numerous heroic rallies, especially a monster with Sambrook leading 2-1 which seemed to leave his opponent spent. Still, Difiore was game, winning a long rally at 2-6, and another at 3-13. But that was the last hurrah. He faulted upon regaining the service box, and though he did manage one more point, his match was clearly over.

Sambrook's victory marked only the second time in thirty years that a Canadian had won the Canadian Amateurs. Sambrook also claimed the other victory, in 1993. Before then, it was David McLernon, who won his last in 1976.

The Doubles were similar to the singles, though there were several crowd pleasing rallies and a number of displays of sheer athletic brilliance. The final scores were15-3, 15-5, 15-3, Sambrook/Price over Difiore/Heward.

The rest of the weekend was a typical Montreal rackets’ weekend affair; fine food, lots of fun and stories and the wonderful Montreal nightlife. Bryce, as usual, worked late hours, rose early in the mornings and made sure everything ran smoothly. Chuck and the rest of the staff worked hard to make the small turnout seemed as big as a normal, end-of-January one would have been. Thanks to Tim Beal for all the fine dining pleasures, to Derek Barrett for marking and to Gord Simpson who spent most of his time downstairs recovering the many balls used during the four draws.

Singles

Doubles