Over 200 players, representing eleven countries, once again descended on Albuquerque, New Mexico for the 13th World Senior Championships leading into the Labor Day holiday weekend. The organizing council, under the leadership of Gary Mazaroff and Paula Sperling, continued the tradition of providing outstanding hospitality and solid competition for all participants and spectators. Countless volunteers generously gave of their time and energy to ensure that the participants, whether first-timers or multi-year veterans, enjoyed their week at the foot of the Sandia Mountain Range.

The tournament began Monday evening with an all-player meeting at the host hotel, where Paula and Gary briefed the players on the unique tournament format, venue access, and international rule modifications. The meeting also provided first time participants with an introduction to the camaraderie and deep friendships that are integral to this special event. Past champions and top-rated players shared appetizers, and insights, with beginners of all skill levels.

Tuesday through Friday is scheduled to provide preliminary round-robin competition for men and women alike. Players squared off against six to nine opponents over the four-day stretch, in matches of three games to 11. The self-referee format offers ample opportunity for players to display respect for each other and the game through good sportsmanship in their matches. Cumulative scores of points earned, plus games and matches won in the preliminary rounds determined which players would move on to final single-elimination play on Saturday.

With only two matches per day, on average, there was plenty of free time for participants to travel to the surrounding areas. Many people took the opportunity to visit nearby Santa Fe, enjoy the handiwork of local artisans in some of the fancy shops, take a tram ride up the mountain, or just hang out with their friends at the various clubs.

The tournament headquarters at the Albuquerque Marriott provided a central place for players and spectators to eat lunch and scan the extensive collection of silent auction items under the watchful eye of volunteer Dr. Damian Jelso. The silent auction raised $6,000 for the Olympic Dream, adding to the previous total of over $250,000 raised for this ambitious goal.

Saturday’s medal round play at the Midtown Sports and Wellness Club enabled all participants to gather in one location for the first time since Monday’s opening meeting. From the Men’s 35+ finals (where Dave Watson of Oklahoma defeated Donald Sims of the US Army, currently stationed in Kuwait 11-5, 11-7) to the Men’s 65+ finals (where Jerry Holly of California defeated perennial champion Don Alt of Ohio in a tie-breaker 8-11, 11-10, 11-6) — the spectators saw fantastic shot-making and exciting rallies sprinkled with excellent displays of genuine sportsmanship and community.

Early morning play saw a rematch of the 2000 Men’s 40+ Final, in which Dave Eagle of Ohio narrowly defeated Jeff Wichers of Colorado 11-10, 5-11, 11-4. After the match, Jeff reported that the difference this year was due to Dave’s relentless backhand pressure, including a blistering 5-0 run at the end of game three to finish out the week for the crafty left-hander. Others who faced Eagle through the week found his non-returnable crack ace serves to be the real difference.

While Eagle was finishing off Wichers, Donald Sims and Gabe Astalos of California were locked in an intense battle of contrasting styles of play in the Men’s 35+ bracket. Astalos’ conventional play with the standard mix of drives, cross-court passes, and timely pinches ultimately was not quite enough to overcome Sims’ high passes, round-the-world shots and no-look touch shots.

On occasion the players needed to resolve rallies with rulings; occasionally calling upon spectators to help them recall what should be done. One humorous exchange involved Astalos apparently forgetting a particularly pertinent rule violation, to which Sims quipped, “It is most convenient to forget the rules that adversely affect your performance and the outcomes of a rally in self-officiated play.”

Ultimately Sims wore Astalos down and prevailed 11-10, 10-11, 11-3. After the match Astalos was heard talking to some of the spectators and said that Sims prevailed because he viewed it as an endurance contest as much as a test of racquetball prowess. Seems like the military conditioning regimen in Kuwait prepared him to endure the cumulative effect of the week’s play better than most others.

The Men’s 45+ division included a first year visit from former touring pro Ruben Gonzalez. Ruben displayed his gracious demeanor throughout the week, making himself available to players and spectators alike at all venues. His near legendary sportsmanship and sense of fair play was very obvious as he methodically crafted his victories while ensuring that opponents scored points in each game. In his semifinal match against Greg Benson of California, he hit a wide-angle pass, which cracked out off the back wall. While some players would pump their fists and yell out a guttural cry of glee, Gonzalez merely smiled at Benson and then walked back to shake his hand as if to say “Sorry about that.”

After winning the division with a solid 11-3, 11-6 victory over Mark Baron of Virginia, Gonzalez said he enjoyed the tournament format. He felt like he needed to be aware of everyone in his division throughout the entire week since he had never played against most of his opponents. Unlike the pro tour, where Gonzalez had a game plan for every opponent, these players were relatively unknown to him and captured his analytical side. He liked the fact that the round-robin format relieves the pressure of having to win each match. He said that he had such a good time that he plans to return next year to compete in the 50+ division, and hopes to bring his family with him as well. Commenting on his reputation for good sportsmanship, Gonzalez said he plays with two principles in mind at all times: “Don’t take anything you don’t deserve” and “Don’t embarrass anyone.”

The Men’s 50+ medal round pitted familiar faces against each other. Early morning play saw another rematch of a 2000 finals with Tom Rall of California and Denny Vincent of Ohio squaring off in an exciting match complete with fabulous gets and incredible shots. Rall gave Vincent a donut in game one and served for the match at 10-10 in game two only to lose 11-10 in an outstanding comeback effort by Denny. Vincent went on to avenge his 2000 loss and advanced with an 11-7 win.

Next, Vincent faced Darryl Warren of California who reached the semi’s after a freak, but frightening, eye injury while observing play Friday afternoon. In spite of the slight blur in his vision, Warren disposed of Vincent rather easily on his way to the finals. Frank Taddonio earned the right to play Darryl by winning the bottom half of the bracket. Warren’s 11-7, 11-7 victory re-established his reputation as an excellent player and put the rest of the contestants on notice that he plans to make his mark in the fifty-plus competition in the future.

On the Women’s side of the draw many results were determined by the results of the week’s round-robin play, but medal rounds were scheduled in the 40+, 45+ and 50+ divisions. Debra Tisinger rolled through her matches once again to repeat as the 40+ titleholder and preserve her string of nine consecutive world titles. In the Women’s 45+, Mary Keenan of Colorado landed the top qualifier position, after her dominance during the week, then held onto that top seed through medal round play. Keenan won game one of her semi-final match against a much-improved Brenda White of Illinois, 11-8, with solid frontcourt play and timely drive serves that put White on the defensive. White changed tactics in game two with wide-angle passes and lob serves, which kept Keenan in deep court and negated her outstanding ability to pinch anything left in front court. The new game plan led Brenda to an 11-9 victory and forced a tiebreaker, but the effort had strained her leg and she could not sustain the pressure in the last game and Keenan came out victorious 11-6.

On the other side of the Women’s 45+ draw, last year’s champion and No.2 positioned qualifier, Joanne Pomodoro of Massachusetts, barely escaped an upset and defeated Karen Key of Arizona which then moved her into the all-southpaw finals against Keenan. Repeating her preliminary round performance, Keenan defeated Pomodoro in straight games for the title, 11-9, 11-3. After the finals, Joanne gracefully stated that Brenda White’s tiebreaker really should have been the final against Keenan, as White gave Keenan a better match, in her opinion.

Limited medal round play among women on Saturday was due to noticeably reduced participation by women in many divisions. Throughout the week, hosts and participants had expressed disappointment in the general decline of women’s numbers in this premier event. One female player summed it up in two words: “Tom Young’s.” The closure of Tom Young’s and its 15 courts has resulted in a more dispersed tournament and less time where everyone is together. While we all regret this unfortunate turn of events, it should serve as a reminder to each of us throughout the worldwide racquetball community that our sport is inextricably linked to the continued health of court facilities.

The tournament concluded with a player’s banquet on Saturday evening at the Marriott. Mistress of ceremonies Joanne Pomodoro once again kept the evening light and fun with her unique brand of humor. Highlights of the evening were many special awards granted to many special people. The coveted Al Wetherill Memorial Sportsmanship Award was presented to Lola Markus (pictured holding award) who will proudly display this traveling trophy for the coming year. She was so moved by the recognition that she could hardly find words to say to all those gathered. The evening concluded with a final auction which raised an additional donation for the Olympic Dream, bringing cumulative contributions to $250,000 over the course of the long-running event.

Whether you are a seasoned veteran or newly eligible to play in senior events, this tournament is definitely one to put on your calendar regardless of your skill level. The format of competition, spread over several days , provides ample opportunity to meet new people, relax in the sunny southwest, and vacation with your family. Thanks to the hard work of the entire World Seniors Council, you can be virtually assured of a good time and great hospitality sandwiched (or as Joanne says “sangwitched”) by spirited competition. Don’t take my word for it, check it out for yourself!