Legends Tour South Florida
by Ryan John
Legends Tour
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special Ronald McDonald Charity Tournament took place at the Quadrangle Club in
beautiful Coral Springs, May 9-11, drawing more than 40 junior players and 160
amateur players in addition to the 7 "Legends" battling it out for a
$6000 first place prize. Newly named "legend" Cliff Swain was
understandably the top seed going into the tournament, followed by big-name
stars Marty Hogan, Ruben Gonzalez, Dave and Gregg Peck, Mike Ray, and Corey
Brysman.
Mike Ray upset Ruben Gonzalez, his doubles
partner for the event, in straight games 15-8, 15-8. Also moving into the semis
were Hogan, Swain, and Peck. Hogan played Peck and won 15-9, 15-13 followed by
the Swain versus Ray match where Swain won easily 15-3, 15-1.
The final was between two of the greatest
players to play the game - Cliff Swain and Marty Hogan. There was a lot of talk
and fun on the court, but it was the younger Legend who was able to come away
with the win 15-7, 10-15, 11-6.
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than just surviving |
In this day and age the "family" health club is slowly becoming extinct. When corporate giants such as 24 Hour Fitness and Bally's Health Clubs move in, the mom-and-pop fitness centers are often unable to compete.
The Quadrangle Club in Coral Springs is the exception — they’re thriving. Owned by Dean Katchel and family, the club has seen its ups and downs, but continues to hold its own amidst strong corporate competition. In fact, Dean and family have expanded their club, even restoring two courts that had been taken out in the 80's to accomodate aerobics and weights.
"A lot of the independent health clubs in the area couldn't compete when the larger health clubs came in, but we had racquetball to differentiate ourselves from the rest," Dean explained. "When we expanded our building to accommodate our aerobics program we decided to add back two of the courts that we had taken out. I was told that was crazy."
Or maybe not so crazy — the Quadrangle has since been able to host numerous state, local, and regional tournaments, as well as pro stops and the recent Legends event. The club is truly a family organization with Dean's wife MJ, and daughters Melissa and Denise all logging time to make the business a success. |
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grand paycheck |
| An added highlight to the Florida event was a $10,000 winner-take-all match between six time IRT champ Cliff Swain and the reigning season champion Jason Mannino.
The stands were packed for this high stakes match and it was remarkable to see that almost half of those in attendance were juniors, each holding letter sized photos of either Cliff or Jason that would later be autographed.
The match was action packed with great gets and lightning-quick shots. Jason became a little frustrated with the official's calls (as did some of the fans), but referee Fred Stallworth stuck by his guns. "I felt like regardless of what they said, I called what I saw."
 In the end it was Cliff who prevailed in four games 11-5, 11-8, 7-11, 11-7, to take home the big check. That match alone generated nearly $4000 in donations for the Ronald McDonald House, in addition to creating more than a little extra excitement for the sport.
"Scott (Hirsch), Luis (Quinones), and Ed Marin are probably the best thing to happen to racquetball since I have been around," Swain said after the match. "They are all great guys that promote the sport and have the means to do so. Those three guys have the ability to take it to the level that we have dreamed of."
"I have been looking for people that believe in the sport, have been involved with it for most of their lives, and that were willing to put the money up to propel it to the next
level."
Jason agreed. "I think I have found them here in South Florida. I can't thank them enough for creating an excitement that this sport has been thirsting for." |
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out of the desert, into the tropics ... |
One of the most interesting racquetball personalities on any circuit, Steve "Bo" Keeley, showed up at the Legend's event in Coral Springs. Known as one of America's great modern adventurer's, some in the racquetball world might remember Bo as a top touring professional in the 70's and the author of "The Complete Book of Racquetball", which sold over 100,000 copies. Bo is also a seven time national paddleball champion and traveled around the country giving clinics and playing tournaments in his customized Chevy van with Barfo, his Doberman, and a six-foot stuffed rabbit named Filmore J. Hare riding shotgun.
Bo has been out of the racquetball loop for some time now, concentrating on his adventures and living in the Baja desert. Through a chance meeting he became associated with the Legends Tour and will travel to the events sharing his knowledge on racquetball and paddleball. In Florida he conducted a clinic mainly for the juniors in attendance, but the adults that were at the clinic left just as enlightened.
"Two chapters of my life were first on the professional racquetball circuit, then around the globe as a traveler," he explained. It looks as though he might be adding another chapter that goes back into the racquetball world.
He is currently writing his seventh book entitled "Cat Man" that details more of his adventures including his travels to 95 countries, hikes and bicycle trips across the U.S., and his "Executive Hobo" tours. There is not enough room to do Bo's adventures justice, but you can read about them at www.greatspeculations.com. It would be time well spent.
Swain, Gonzalez, Hogan, Brysman and Keeley.
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and back to the desert ... |
The following weekend, the Legends again hit the courts in Las Vegas at the Las Vegas Racquetball Challenge. Six Legends took part in the event including Marty Hogan, Mike Ray, Dave and Greg Peck, Corey
Brysman, and Steve Lerner.
Lerner and Greg Peck started the tournament out right by going into an exciting tiebreaker match in which Lerner came out on top 10-15, 15-9, 11-6. Dave Peck fared better than his brother in the first round by defeating Brysman in straight games 15-9, 15-8.
The semifinals provided the crowd with another great old-style nail-biter between Hogan and Dave Peck. They traded 15-14 wins in the first two games before Hogan turned it up a notch in the breaker to win 11-5. Mike Ray advanced to face Hogan in the finals by getting past Lerner 15-8, 15-7.
Once again those in attendance were treated to a tiebreaker in the finals between Hogan and Ray. Hogan won the first 15-10, but Ray evened things up in the second, winning 15-9. The tiebreaker was a back and forth battle with Hogan edging Ray 11-9 to win the tournament. |
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behind the scenes
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Two of the men responsible for the Legends Tour — quietly providing the cash reserves it takes to pull off such an event — are Scott Hirsch and Luis Quinones. They do not, however, covet the spotlight, and instead prefer to remain behind the scenes in making things happen.
They contacted RACQUETBALL about covering the Legends event in Coral Springs, even going so far as to underwrite some expenses, but getting an interview with them was nearly impossible.
"This isn't about us," Luis said. "This is about racquetball, and promoting racquetball."
Only through others was it learned what they have done, and continue to do, for the sport. They have hosted junior tournaments in Florida with no entry fees and even underwrote USRA memberships for the juniors. Scott is also a leading "Open Level" donor in the "Players Helping Players" fundraising campaign, which is reserved for gifts of $5,000 or more.
There are other endeavors that Scott and Luis have taken part in to help promote the sport, but out of respect for their wish to remain low key, we won't list them.
Instead we'll just mention how much they are appreciated for their continued support and love for the game.
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