The Tell-Tale

Summer, 1999

ALBUQUERQUE PRO TOUR

The biggest Singles Squash event in New Mexico takes place July 13-18 at Midtown Sports. The Black Knight Pro Tour starts its qualifying Pro rounds on Tuesday the 13th of July. Amateur and Draw of 16 Pro play begins Friday July 16. Do not miss this event. Although these players are not currently the best in the world, Current World # 1 Jonathan Power and World # 2 Peter Nichol as well as Current World Junior Champion Ong Ben He have been past participants. The Mexican National Team is playing before they go to the Pan Am Games in Calgary. Enter the Amateur event and watch the Pro’s. Contact Midtown Sports at 888-4811 and ask for Amer, or check at the front desk for details.

ELECTION OF NEW OFFICERS

The Executive Committee recommends the following slate of officers for the 1999-2000 year:

There is a ballot attached that should be returned. If you have any suggestions for alternate candidates, please write in the person’s name and post you are suggesting them for.

DELAY IN COMPLETED MEMBERSHIPS

We attracted quite a few new members at the membership drive tournament at the end of Santa Fe, as well as several renewals. Unfortunately these membership forms were not sent to the USSRA. Outgoing Treasurer Clarence Duffy has finally completed this task and those waiting for Squash Magazine should soon be receiving it along with your membership number. For those waiting to have their skill level, as determined by Guy Cowen, to be recorded, this will be forthcoming. We have been waiting for the membership number to complete the process.

GUY COWEN, VISITING PRO

New Mexico Squash has been lacking a National Level Certified Teaching Pro until recently. It is true that you can get lessons at the Kiva Club from Ifan Evans, at El Gancho from Walter Burke and at Midtown from Josef Doljes. However, none of these instructors are certified to "Rate" players. Over the past year Guy Cowen has made regular trips to New Mexico to give lessons at El Gancho. These lessons have been available to any players who wish to make the trip to El Gancho.

Guy is a tremendous resource. He was ranked as high as #30 in the World when he toured as a pro. He is an English Squash Racquets Association certified coach at the highest level they certify. He taught in Germany for 7 years. In this country he has been a National Champion 2 times in the 30+ age group and 1 time in the 35+ age group. He is still a member of the Irish National Team for whom he plays in the Masters Division in Europe. I watched him play the 1998 5.5 Skill Level National Champion (and newly elected USSRA President) Eben Hardie at the US Championships. Eben did not score a point until it was 5-0 in the second game.

Guy can play squash, knows the softball game and is an excellent coach. His easy-going attitude and skillful drilling make him a wonderful asset. Currently he has been coming to Santa Fe every 6 to 8 weeks and is willing to keep that schedule as a change of pace from the two clubs that he teaches at in Houston.

Special thanks go out to Charlie Paynter, David Riley and Shelby Boggio for hosting Guy when he is in town. All of the lesson income that he receives goes to paying his airfare and fees. He also gives a discount for NMSRA members. El Gancho does not take any percentage from the lessons. If you are interested in getting lessons from him, or being rated the next time he is in town contact Walter Burke at 450-5675. He is due back at the end of August, or beginning of September.

HI-TEC SANTA FE OPEN, JANUARY 29-31

5.0 Round Robin: 1st Place Martin Casdagli. 2nd Place Tom Abrams.

4.0 Round Robin: 1st Place Sean Gallagher. 2nd Place Walter Burke.

3.0 Round Robin: 1st Place Dick Silbar. 2nd Place Kristen Johnson.

40+ Round Robin: 1st Place Walter Burke, 2nd Place Josef Doljes.

60+ Round Robin: 1st Place Dick Silbar. 2nd Place Ed Anlian

U-14 Semi Finals: Jeremy Burke def. Jack Vinella 3-0. Conrad Miller def. Chris Smith 3-0. Finals: Jeremy Burke def. Conrad Miller 3-0.

MIDTOWN/EL GANCHO TAKE PART IN ROUND ROBIN PLAY

Twice this winter players from El Gancho have traveled to Albuquerque to be been hosted by Midtown Sports for round robin play. The matches have been informal with an emphasis on getting to know other payers and breaking out of the patterns that we get caught in by playing our regular partners all of the time.

UPCOMING EVENTS

July 13-18: Black Knight Pro Tour and Albuquerque Open.

Qualifying and Regular Tournament with World level Pro’s. Amateur Divisions for Men, Women and Juniors. Contact Midtown Sports, 888-4811.

September 10-11 (?): Clinic and Lessons with Guy Cowen.

At El Gancho (and perhaps Midtown). Dates not confirmed, check with Walter Burke, 450-5675.

October 1-3: Not the Vegetable III at El Gancho.

Skill levels for Men, Women and Juniors. Walter Burke, 450-5675.

November (?): Squash Week at Midtown.

With International Referee Clinic conducted by Rod Symington and Albuquerque Open Tournament, Men’s, Women’s and Junior’s divisions. Amer Chand at Midtown Sports, 888-4811.

December 3-5: Kiva Classic Masters Doubles and Singles Tournament.

Age Groups 40+ to 75+, Singles and Doubles. Contact John Amos, 982-336.

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