Tanner Mattson of North Vancouver retained the No. 1 ranking by bouncing Brad Strugnell of Victoria 2-0 (15-6, 15-4) in Sunday’s open men’s final of the B.C. Racquetball Championships at Rosters.
Mattson, who is No. 14 in the nation, dispatched Paul Huseon of Delta 2-0 (15-9, 15-0), while Strugnell came from behind to defeat Keith Callander of Kamloops 2-1 (12-15, 15-7, 11-8) in the semifinals.
Callander, who plays out of Rosters, defeated Huseon 15-4, 15-9 to take third place.
“We received many positive comments from players about the club, organization, social events and prizes that were offered at the tournament,” said tourney director Doug Ross.
“Several players approached me and told me that it was the best tournament that they had attended in years. This is a strong endorsement of the hospitality of the Rosters’ staff and the efforts of all the volunteers from the racquetball community.”
Ross had to rally from a first-game loss to defeat Al Cuttriss of Armstrong 2-1 (12-15, 15-8, 11-5) in the men’s 45A Singles final.
Ross had to take an injury time out in the second game after an errant blast caught him in the eye, knocking his safety eye guards flying.
“Shots like that rarely happen, but that is why we all wear protective eyewear,” said Ross.
Ross knocked off Chuck Tanner of Kamloops 2-0 (15-7, 15-8) and Cuttriss iced Randy Spencer of Kelowna 2-0 (15-13, 15-4) in the semis. Tanner, who plays out of Rosters, brushed back Spencer 15-4, 13-15, 11-4 to take third.
On the women’s side, Diana Hambley of Abbostford defeated Deborah LeClair of Maple Ridge 2-0 (15-7, 15-4) to take the singles title.
In an all Vernon C final, Chris Megli grounded Karen McGarrity 2-1 (10-15, 15-4, 11-6).
In the men’s open doubles final, Mattson and Strugnell teamed up to top Rick Gartel of Surrey and Travis Einarson of Port Moody 2-0 (15-8, 16-14) to take first. Callander and Ross teamed up to ice Huseon and Bill Burdge of Abbotsford 2-1 (15-2, 14-16, 12-10) in a thriller for third.
Other notable local winners: Curt Broughton of Vernon and Richard Gautier of Kelowna finished second in men’s A doubles round-robin play.
Ken McCluskey defeated Bob Wolf, both of Vernon, 2-0 (16-14, 15-4) to take third in men’s B singles.
Roger Roy of Salmon Arm defeated Frank Poirier of Armstrong 2-1 (15-10, 13-15, 11-5) to rule the men’s C singles. Greg Farina of Vernon placed second. and Poirier third in the round-robin.
