RESULTS

2014 June Super Round Robin/Handicap Doubles

Table Tennis Tournament

Saturday June 14, 2014

Sponsored by: Table Tennis & More, Waimea TTC, North Kohala TTC, & Waimea Athletics in partnership with Parks & Rec Waimea

Wrap-up Article

What an amazing 1 day tournament! 31 players signed up to play, with 3 having last minute changes. We started the tournament promptly at 9am and actually finished and left at 6:15pm. 134 matches were played, much coffee was drunk, many bananas consumed, 10 large pizzas completely devoured, energy bars eaten, and loads of water digested. We had players from the Captain Cook Club, The Waimea & North Kohala Club, The Hilo Club, and a large group from the new and rapidly growing Kona Club. It is getting very interesting as the players improve and the tournament skill level rises. A short survey was conducted and with all votes counted, only 1 player did NOT want the August tournament to be USATT Sanctioned, so the USATT Sanctioning request has already been submitted by me. When it came to type of prizes, cash was the overwhelming favorite, however many wanted trophies also. There was a huge desire to play in an "on our island" league, with a toss up of the frequency. Events that players wanted most were, in this order; (1)Super RR, (2)Doubles, (3)U-1000, (4)U-1600. So, we will add the Handicap Doubles to the August tournament. Back to the observations of this tournament; A big Mahalo out to John Romoa for helping me to set everything up, brew the delicious coffee, control the crowds, and more. Thanks to Lesi Sekona for donating all the water and ice. A huge mahalo also goes to a donor that helped pay for the pizza lunch and snacks and another mahalo to a donor for the Bitcoin prizes that we were able to give out. Thanks also to the players that brought the bananas and the papayas. Lastly, mahalo to all the players that added a little "something" as a donation in their entry fees to allow us to give out cash prizes in each & every division (12 winners), 1st & 2nd place. I have put in another County request to change the burnt out light bulbs and hope that is done soon. The Kona Club was out in force with many of its members playing. In fact, the Kona Club had a 1st or 2nd place winner in 5 of the 6 event categories! Congratulations to them and thank you for playing, participating, and quickly making table tennis on this island, more exciting. The Hilo Club dominated the winner's circle for the A Division Singles and we'll see if they have the ability to continue that at the August tournament and beyond. The large 3 day November tournament will be in Hilo at the Club Location within the Hilo Boys & Girls Club and I am already receiving inquiries regarding that tournament from the Mainland. It was interesting to watch young and old play in this tournament, men & women, and players with fast rackets and those with defensive rackets. Some players used long pips, others short, and many, of course, with inverted. It was obvious that all different styles exist which is what makes this sport so great. For many of the players, it was their first tournament and so nerves were jarred and some need to work on legal serves, but everyone had fun. I do encourage all players to always check with the tournament director before they go home. Sometimes there are ties and other issues that require/allow you to play more and if you leave too soon, it can impact the other players. Remember to enter early for August as we only have room for 30 players in the Super RR & it will be a USATT Sanctioned event so members or new joining members get first chance before players that are not members. We are planning on having an afternoon snack for the August Tournament in addition to lunch for the tired players. Mahalo again to all the players that participated and hope it was a rewarding experience for all.

EVENT RESULTS

EVENT	1st Place	2nd Place	Pictures
HANDICAP DOUBLES	STEPHEN FREEDMAN/CHARLIE KOW	DAN MILLARE/ROMMEL GANTALA
SUPER RR, A DIVISION	YUKI YANO	STEPHEN FREEDMAN
SUPER RR, B DIVISION	NARIN YOU	STEWART MIYASHIRO
SUPER RR, C DIVISION	LUIE WONG	FRANK MILLER
SUPER RR, D DIVISION	KENNETH YOKOTA	BRADLEY WESTERVELT
SUPER RR, E DIVISION	DINA GANTALA	JENNIFER WATT