The Winter issue of Oregon Racquetball News is now available for registered account users by clicking on the “Newsletter” Tab.

To create an account, you may do so here.

Retroactive to the first tournament of the 2004-2005 season (Sunset Turkey Shoot), the ORA Board has voted unanimously to implement a new ranking system for the ORA Tour.

 

Much of the system remains the same. Winners of each bracket will receive 100 points, second place will get 80 points and so on.

 

The major change in the system is that you must win a match in order to earn ranking points. If you win a match and lose out in the Round of 16, you will earn 10 points. If you win a match and bow out in the quarterfinals, you will earn 20 points. If you don’t win a match in the winners bracket, the only way to earn points is to win the consolation bracket (25 points).

 

A complete description of the ranking system is available on the ORA Rankings page.

 

Also, the rankings have been updated through the Griffith Memorial in Eugene.

Thanks to Cascade Athletic Club and the terrific staff there for another great Holiday Open Tournament!

Results

 

Thanks to all who played in the 2004 Sunset Turkey Shoot. You all made it a great event!

Complete Results

Photos

Should the ranking points awarded at the ORA State Championships be increased/weighted? If they are, many more players have the chance to win a state championship. An example: A player 150-200 points out of first place in the rankings could win the ORA State Championships and vault themself up in the rankings.

Or should the ranking system and points distribution stay the same?

What do you think? Take the survey (below right) and tell us!

Congratulations to all Oregon players who placed at National Doubles in Tempe!

Dave Azuma - 1st Men's 50's; 2nd Men's 45's; 3rd Mixed 50's
Lee Graff - 1st Men's 60's; 3rd Men's 65
Charlie Pratt - 2nd Men's 24
Dan Sheppick - 2nd Men's 24
Jamie Sumner - 1st Mixed Elite
Kim Wilkerson - 1st Mixed Elite; 1st Mixed 25's

Tournament website (players, draws, etc.)

Pictures of Oregon Players

Today the tournament director, Hank Marcus, and the racquetball committee for Multnomah Athletic Club cancelled their tournament due to low entries. This is a very disappointing situation and the first time I have seen an ORA tournament cancelled this close to the event.

The ORA was excited to get MAC back on the calendar and we were looking forward to a great first stop for this year's tour.

All ORA players interested in a One Day Shootout at Courthouse-North in Salem contact Phil Crock (philc@fitfx.com) right away. October 16th...No charge, no frills...Thanks Phil & the Courthouse players!!

The Wilson - Christie Van Hees clinic will be held as planned on Wednesday at the MAC.

Entry forms for the November tournament are in the mail to all ORA members and should show up in your mailbox beginning this weekend. You can also download one from this web site. Please send your entry form in early and help to make Sunset's tournament a great event.

Paul Maduell

Oregon Racquetball Association, President

 

The Fall 2004 ORA Newsletter is now avaialbe by clicking on the “Newsletter” tab on the menu.

The final results for the 2003-2004 Season have been posted ... Check them out on the Results -> ORA -> State Team, or by clicking HERE.

Congratulations to all the winners!

The ORA was proud to sponsor a new event, the first annual Club Challenge where teams were formed at each club and compete against each other. This year, four teams came together at the Courthouse Athletic Club in Salem on May 8th. The four teams were Courthouse Athletic Club, Eastside Athletic Club, Mt. Hood Athletic Club, and Sunset Athletic Club. Matches were 2 games to 11, with 2 bonus points given for winning a game and 4 bonus points for winning the match, so each match was worth up to 30 points. We had 18 divisions, with singles in the morning and doubles in the afternoon. All four teams were in the lead at one point throughout the day. By the end of the day, the scores were too close to call any one team a victor. In fact, it came down to the last two matches of the day to decide who got 3rd and 4th place. After scores were tallied again and rechecked, Team Courthouse emerged as the winner of the Club Challenge Trophy. Each member of the team will receive an Ektelon backpack and the Club will get to keep the Club Challenge Trophy for a year. Awards will be presented at the ORA Year End Party at Cascade Athletic Club on June 12th.

Great fun, hospitality, and competition were had by all. Great job to everyone who participated!
1st - Courthouse Athletic Club (1046 points)
2nd - Eastside Athletic Club (1010 points)
3rd - Mt. Hood Athletic Club (937 points)
4th - Sunset Athletic Club (849 points)

Start thinking about recruiting a team for next year's Club Challenge - Team Courthouse will have to be ready to defend their title!