The 31st annual Sacramento Open was played March 27-29, 2009 at three sites: the Sacramento Elks Lodge #6, the the Riverside Athletic Club, and the Capital Athletic Club. Another great tournament was enjoyed by well over 130 players and their families. Special thanks go to Ron Domingos’ hospitality crew that served beer and Bar-B-Que (tri-tip, ribs, chicken) with all the trimmings (including beer) continuously throughout the tournament. Participation was so high we had several qualification matches for local players to earn entry and used a long stand by list as well.
Emmett Peixoto, Ray Graham, Mike McDonald, Allie Abdullah, Jay Capell, Alan Sherrill, Tom McGrath, Dennis Wend, George Repine, Jim Tamagni, Len DeLatore, Shane Goyt.................................No, this isn't a roll call for some of the top players in Northern California! Instead it's some of the 112 handballers who played in the prestigious annual Bay Counties Handball League playoff held in February and March 2009.
The tradition goes back well over 2 decades. Past winners include powerhouse clubs such as the Olympic Club and the Los Altos Country Club. But times change. Over the last several years the League has been dominated by clubs from Watsonville and Sacramento (Oh My God !!).
But guess what! Times seem on the fringe of changing again. Watch out for a strong but disorganized group from Fresno. And be ready for a bunch of trash talking bottom boarders from San Jose. These teams vow to enter next year and both are hungry and tough !
But this article is meant to talk about this year........2009. Pools of sweat and effort were put forth by all the participants. That wasn't flooding on the courts of the Big C, that was folks playing their hearts out.........................just for bragging rights. Isn't it amazing that you seem to find an extra gear when you're pushed in tournament play?
There was a total of 8 teams who entered the league this year. Those teams were split into round robin play at 2 venues. The South Division included Watsonville, Modesto, Fresno and Sacramento. The Northern group consisted of the South End Rowing Club, San Mateo Elks, Big C and Santa Rosa. After round robin play at each venue the teams with the 2 best records would move on to the final round March 7th at the Big C.
The Southern Division's match-up at the SOS Club in Modesto saw plenty of great play. When the dust settled Watsonville and Sacramento were the clubs to move on. Both of these clubs benefited from some narrow victories. Sacramento eased past Fresno 12 - 11. Watsonville bested Modesto 13 - 10. But the overall tally was Watsonville with 3 victories, Sacramento with 2 and Modesto with 1. Fresno got skunked; however, it was extremely hard for them to overcome a forfeit each time in an all important age bracket division.
Meanwhile at the Big C the North folks had plenty of drama as well. The San Mateo Elks managed to go 3 - 0, but one was a narrow 12 -11 win over the South End boys. The South Enders came in 2nd with 2 wins and 1 loss. Their effort was greatly bolstered by their # 1 Open duo of Shane Goyt and Dave Kennedy. They went 2 - 1 losing only to the Santa Rosa big guns who went undefeated. So the North Division tally was: Elks 3 - 0, SERC 2 - 1, Santa Rosa 1 - 2 and the Big C 0 - 3.
Hence, the finals are set. Early money would have to favor the San Mateo Elks. Besides their own thoroughbred stable we heard they would have Chris Tico, Mike McDonald and Chris McDonald playing for them. Because the Olympic Club bowed out late the Elks were fortunate to pick up these mercenaries. As it turned out only Mike entered into contract. The next best bet would have been Watsonville. They were the defending champions and had most of their big guns there, including current highly ranked pro Emmett Peixoto.
Tournament director Tom Bridges decided that another round robin format would be held. It increases participation and keeps the excitement going right up to the end of the day (maybe Tom was getting paid by the hour?).
Nobody was disappointed with the handball skills demonstrated in the finals! Outstanding at all levels. Take these examples:
Pro player Emmett Peixoto and his legendary partner Jim Tamagni lost to Sacramentos' Allie Abdullah and Jaime Fabian. Allie and Jaime in turn lost to the San Mateo squad.
In the 50 + bracket local legends Billy Wyrsch and Ron Guevara lost all 3 matches to well deserving opponents.
In the 60 + current national champ Ed Campbell and Dave Rios won all 3 but were on the ropes in 2 of their matches.
Of the 6 club vs club tallies, 3 scores were 14 - 9, and 2 more were 17 - 6. All of these matches could have resulted in the other team winning if just one more key match would have turned out differently.
So bragging rights are set for the next year. I foresee even greater competition in 2010. Enjoy the Victory Plaque Watsonville. It's a proud and distinguished award that has evolved from the play of many legendary Bay Area handballers. Keep it shined and cleaned. Hang it with pride.....................but bring it back next year because it will definitely be up for grabs again!
Many thanks to the Big C and the SOS Club for hosting play. We are indebted to Everett Leon-Guerrero of the SOS, Dave Ruybalid of the Big C and the ever generous owner of the Big C, fellow handballer Rick Leonard.
But mostly thanks to the 112 players who participated in this fund raising event for the NCHA. You came, you played, you won...........despite the score!
Wonder Winter Doubles
At The Capital Athletic Club
This year’s Otis HB Tournament was cancelled because of low entries. But, this was not to dampen the spirit of our local Handball players and our Capital Athletic Club.
The Club quickly organized a one-day doubles tourney with a continental breakfast and a barbeque luncheon with all the trimmings, all for the low entry fee of $15. Can’t beat that anywhere!
Twenty-four plus players packed the clubs’ lobby waiting in anticipation for the drawing for teams at 9 AM. Each competing team was guaranteed two matches. This made for a winners division and a consolation bracket that differs from our usual single elimination
At this point, let’s give credit to the person with the organizational skills that enable this tourney to run smoothly, flawless like a well-oiled machine. Food and drink flowing, games on scheduled, players informed and ready to play.
Bruce Coolidrige. The man with the booming voice gave all of us plenty of time to enjoy the comradeship, drink and food, and the time to watch some Handball. Thanks Bruce!
The dynamic duo of Carlos Arceneiga and Ed Campbell swept the field in the winners division by beating the team of Auggie Herrera and Nieves Chavez in the finals. In our consolation bracket, the winners were Dave Thoreson and Adam Coronado.
Congratulations to all who won and all who participated in this event.
The Otis Classic HB Tournament will be rescheduled for next year.
On a warm, Friday evening, 40+ handball players gather at the Capital Athletic Club in downtown Sacramento to do our 4 favorite things…play handball, drink, eat, and B.S.
Our hats go off to Rick Leonard and his staff for putting on a warm welcome, the use of their facilities, and hospitality they always provide.
This year’s Turkey Shoot offered a new novel way of winning a Turkey without the hassle of getting sweaty and tired. All one had to do was to bring a small bowl of one’s favorite, home-made, SALSA for judging and the winner would walk away with a good size turkey (this one was a 18 pounder), and we even provided the chips!...Sometimes, HB players don’t read all of the fine print and miss out on key information on entry forms or flyers, and in this case, we only had two entries. Boy! that made judging easy and the odds for the two entries were great! Dave Nava was our first arrival brought in a small bowl of sweet- hot, colorful and great tasting salsa. Auggie Herrera, sneaked out a medium size, Tupper –ware covered, bowl from a small iced bag. Now that’s what I call …HEAVY! His was a HOT, mellow, toasted flavored, salsa. I can see now, why he had it incased in ice when he brought it in. Talk about HOT!
Cherylann Mendonca gathered six impartial judges to try out the two SALSA dishes. Six pounds of chips later, we had a winner! The 18 pounder went to Auggie! He almost had two turkeys to take home but, his luck ran-out in the semis with partner Eli Baca, against this year’s Turkey Shoot winning team of Tim Johnson and Ali Abdulla. Second place team of Tim Hindman and Rick Rivas got the Wine, I heard later, they didn’t care as long as they were pointed in the right direction towards home.
Thanks to all the clubs that supported their handball players that were able to participate in this year’s Turkey Shoot.
Use The Controls To Click and See Each
Individual Picture Or Put It On Auto Play!
"Tom Bridges was inducted to the NCHA Hall of Fame as a contributer to handball. He joins three other Sacramento Area handball players, Cherylanne Mendonca, Jack Austin, and Jerry Cooke, who have already been elected to the NCHA Hall of Fame. As a advocate for "the Game", Tom has provided numerous ways to support handball for SAHA.
Those in attendance to witness the induction where as follows:
Played:
Roy Perez/Stan Hampton- Winners of the B Division
Dave Nave/Jim Summers - 2nd place of the B Division
Ron Marquez/Pete Garris - 60+ Division
Dr. Art Grix/Doug Chandler - 60+ Division
Billy Wyrsh - 50+ Division
Attended the Dinner:
Mr. & Mrs. Tim and Anne Hindmen
Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Anderson
Mr. & Mrs. John and Claudette Marsh
Gene Mock
Homer Mock
Mr. & Mrs. Jack and Joan Kastorff
Mr. & Mrs. Marty and Sue Skeer
Thank you Tom Bridges for all of your successful efforts.
This year’s Otis HB Tournament was cancelled because of low entries. But, this was not to dampen the spirit of our local Handball players and our Capital Athletic Club.
Twenty-four plus players packed the clubs’ lobby waiting in anticipation for the drawing for teams at 9 AM. Each competing team was guaranteed two matches. This made for a winners division and a consolation bracket that differs from our usual single elimination
Bruce Coolidrige. The man with the booming voice gave all of us plenty of time to enjoy the comradeship, drink and food, and the time to watch some Handball. Thanks Bruce!
Congratulations to all who won and all who participated in this event.
On a warm, Friday evening, 40+ handball players gather at the Capital Athletic Club in downtown Sacramento to do our 4 favorite things…play handball, drink, eat, and B.S. 
This year’s Turkey Shoot offered a new novel way of winning a Turkey without the hassle of getting sweaty and tired. All one had to do was to bring a small bowl of one’s favorite, home-made, SALSA for judging and the winner would walk away with a good size turkey (this one was a 18 pounder), and we even provided the chips!...Sometimes, HB players don’t read all of the fine print and miss out on key information on entry forms or flyers, and in this case, we only had two entries. Boy! that made judging easy and the odds for the two entries were great! Dave Nava was our first arrival brought in a small bowl of sweet- hot, colorful and great tasting salsa. Auggie Herrera, sneaked out a medium size, Tupper –ware covered, bowl from a small iced bag. Now that’s what I call …HEAVY! His was a HOT, mellow, toasted flavored, salsa. I can see now, why he had it incased in ice when he brought it in. Talk about HOT! 
Cherylann Mendonca gathered six impartial judges to try out the two SALSA dishes. Six pounds of chips later, we had a winner! The 18 pounder went to Auggie! He almost had two turkeys to take home but, his luck ran-out in the semis with partner Eli Baca, against this year’s Turkey Shoot winning team of Tim Johnson and Ali Abdulla. Second place team of Tim Hindman and Rick Rivas got the Wine, I heard later, they didn’t care as long as they were pointed in the right direction towards home.
