September - October 2000 | Vol. 11, No. 5

RB: Global

World Congress Report

In it’s bi-annual World Congress, held at the 10th World Championships, the International Racquetball Federation and the Pan American Racquetball Confederations each elected new slates of officers for terms to begin immediately.

Long-time USRA board member and friend to the sport Keith Calkins of Mission Viejo, California, was tapped for the IRF presidency, replacing Han Van der Heijden. The Netherlands Van der Heijden was appointed “honorary president” in recognition of his service to the international administrative body. The remaining elected IRF positions were filled by:

  • Erik Meyer (Belgium) — Executive Vice President
  • Young-Sang Hong (Korea) — Vice President/Asia
  • Philippe Lecompte (France) — Vice President/Europe
  • Manuel Medina (Venezuela) — VP/South America
  • Enrique Villagran (Mexico) — VP/Cen.America-Caribbean
  • Usher Barnoff (Canada) — VP/North American
  • Rosy Torres (Mexico) — VP/Women’s Development
  • Angela Grisar (Chile) — VP/Women’s Development
  • Oswaldo Maggi (Argentina) – Treasurer
  • Luke St. Onge (USA) — Secretary General
  • Han Van der Heijden (Netherlands) — Honorary President

Two new IRF and PARC vice-presidential slots were created for the purpose of advancing women’s development in the sport, and were filled by Rosy Torres of Mexico, and Angela Grisar of Chile. The Pan American Racquetball Confederation [PARC] officers include:

  • Oswaldo Maggi (Argentina) – President
  • Manuel Medina (Venezuela) — Executive Vice President
  • Pablo Fajre (Chile)— VP/South America
  • Pending appointment — VP/Central America-Caribbean
  • Usher Barnoff (Canada) — VP/North American
  • Rosy Torres (Mexico) — VP/Women’s Development
  • Angela Grisar (Chile) — VP/Women’s Development
  • Pending appointment – Treasurer
  • Luke St. Onge (USA) — Secretary General
  • Keith Calkins (USA) — Honorary President

Event Venues Named — The IRF also named the host countries for the coming 2002 and 2004 World Championships. In the year 2002, the event will be held in Paris, France, and in 2004 it will be hosted by Korea.

The PARC also named the host countries for its annual Tournament of the Americas, which — in 2002 – will also serve as a qualifier for the 2004 Pan American Games. The events will be held in Honduras in 2001; Bolivia in 2002; and in the Dominican Republic in 2003.

World Senior Doubles

Sal and Dee Perconti
Sal & Dee Perconti

If you weren’t in Paris for the World Senior Doubles 2000 at the Forest Hills Club this past June 1-4, then you missed the event of the year! People flew in to Paris from all over the world to play doubles and to enjoy the best camaraderie, the best food, the best wine and most romantic sightseeing.

Maybe it was because it was the inaugural World Senior Doubles tournament held in Paris, or maybe it was because our French hosts, Philippe and Veronique Lecomte, along with European Federation President Erik Meyer, were so warm and accommodating. Or, maybe it was because Gary Mazaroff and his wife Jennifer make all tournaments fun, or maybe it is just that Paris is intoxicating and it’s impossible to have anything less than the most wonderful time there! Whatever it was, this was a fabulous tournament where everyone got along, strong friendships were forged, and good sportsmanship was the rule.

We all stayed on the outskirts of Paris in a quaint hotel called Les Amandiers, near the Forest Hills Club. Sal and I had come in four days earlier and stayed in town near the Champs Elysees. We loved seeing all the famous sights and amazing museums but when we went to Nanterre (where the tournament was held) we really got a taste of what it is like to be Parisian. We rode the Metro and the RER Train, ate in little cafes and walked in the rain like the natives.

Newlywed HollysNow we all know that Paris is the City of Love! One of the entrants, Jerry Holly, brought his lovely fiancee to be with him to Paris and they got married at the event banquet. Jean Pierre Boudart, winner of one of the divisions, owns a wonderful restaurant in the country and he generously reseved it for us and the wedding party. So Margaret and Jerry were married by the Reverend Gary Mazaroff and we all celebrated until the wee morning hours. You cannot imagine a more charming evening.

Oh, and did I forget to mention that the racquetball was great also? Ruben Gonzalez made this first annual tournament in Paris memorable with his dives and incredible shots. People from Ireland, Guam, Canada, France, Netherlands, Belgium, and the USA also showed off their skills. It was very exciting to watch and a bit surreal to see the same courts, same equipment, same shots, but everybody’s speaking a different language. And down the road, the Eiffel Tower! What an experience.

We are meeting again in Paris during the last week of April, 2001. All you need is a passport and a racquet (or, in my case, a husband with a racquet). If you want to see pictures of the Paris 2000, go to www.racquetball-fr.net. Then go to Sunday, July 9th to see the links to three photo albums.

RESULTS — Mens 35+: 1) Philippe Lecomte & Bruno Bouillac (France); 2) Andrew Weisz & Gabe Astalos (USA); 3) Steve Fuentes (USA) & Bob Mohl (France). Mens 45+: 1) Sal Perconti & Ruben Gonzalez (USA); 2) Paul Wehmeyer & Gary Mazaroff (USA); 3) Michael Murphy & Oliver Gibney (Ireland); 4) Yan Lepenven & Serge Chojnowski (France). Mens 50+: Frank Rios (Guam) & Leo Klimaitis (USA). Mens 55+: Jean Pierre Boudart & Guy Beaumont (France). Mens 60+: 1) Grant Morrill & Jerry Holly (USA); 2) Tevie Smith (Canada) & Bob Fennell (USA). Mens 70+: 1) Al Adiram & Dave Roddan (Canada); 2) Mal Roberts & Mannie Organista (USA). Mens 75+: Ross Fillipone (Canada) & Al Romero (USA). Womens 35+: 1) Cindy Tilbury & Judy Shaeffer (USA). Womens 55+: Gail Schaefer & Joy DeSantis (USA). Open Mixed: Kathy Tritsmans (Holland) & Tevie Smith (Canada). 35+ Mixed: 1) Gabe Astalos & Joy DeSantis (USA); 2) Andrew Weisz & Judy Schaefer (USA); 3) Kathy Tritsmans (Holland) & Erik Meyer (Belgium). 40+ Mixed: 1) Manny Organista & Cindy Tilbury (USA). 50+ Mixed: Mal Roberts & Jennifer Mazaroff (USA). 55+ Mixed: Grant Morrill & Gail Schaefer.

Story submitted by Dee Perconti.


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