DON'T FORGET ... USA Racquetball membership fees will increase to $50/year on February 1 ... which gives you only a few weeks to take advantage of current renewal rates!

Announcements and editorial invite players to renew early to extend current terms, with added multi-year savings. Visit USARacquetball for details, or call 719-635-5396.

Please note that the CRA will receive NO added direct funding* as a result of the increase, and the board asks for your understanding at upcoming sanctioned events. In the meantime, we urge you to share this news among fellow players and take steps to renew ASAP, and no later than February 1, 2009. [ login / join ]

*For their operations, state associations are permitted to retain $10 from memberships collected at tournaments, then must qualify for rebate funds (in that same amount), from any renewals processed directly with the national office. That existing $10 in direct funding to the states will not increase with this rate hike.

The 16th Street Mall was the perfect setting to showcase the latest portable court and the men's pros at the tour's season opener, along with a CRA sanctioned tournament at the Denver Athletic Club. See more video and photos from the special event, and be sure to check ESPN listings for re-broadcasts in November.

Imagine a rental property in Breckenridge with a racquetball court in it! This house is rented out for vacations, business meetings and youth group retreats -- and can be seen at www.alpinelink.com. The owners currently offer first-time guests 30% off the regular price of the first two nights.

If you have asked if certain days were available, please check again. People move their days quite often, so your first choice of days may now be available. If you have questions, please reply by email or call Elizabeth Hawkins at 970-453-4924 x11.

Eight Coloradans traveled to Salt Lake City ... right before State Singles, to compete in the National Masters Invitational. Stalwarts Dick Kincade, Mike Martin, Shirley Parsons, Kenneth Pattison, Marcia Richards, Cindy Tilbury, Neil Wong and Michael Wouk all made the trek, and more than a few of them brought back some hardware.

Board members Marcia Richards and Cindy Tilbury did some damage in their respective singles divisions, with silver medal placements in both the 50+ and 45+, then teamed up to win the Women's 50+ Doubles. Shirley Parsons also brought home a medal set, with a win in the Women's 55+ singles and a finish in the Mixed.

Dick Kincade earned a gold in the Men's 80+ doubles, and a silver in singles, followed by a third place finish by Kenneth Pattison in the 70+ doubles, and a pair of semi-final placements for Mike Martin in the 80+ singles and doubles. In the larger pool play formats of the Men's 55+, Michael Wouk enjoyed his preliminary round play, as did Neil Wong in his 60+ doubles flight.

UP you GO! Along with congratulations to the following 2008 State Singles champions, they're also on notice that they will need to move UP a skill category in the coming season (after State Games in August) ...

Women's A: Shirley Parsons | Women's B: Nicole Cordova
Men's A: Ted Dutcher | Men's B: Ted Sison
Men's C: Nicholas Riffel | Men's D/Novice: David Brey

Annual Award Winners selected at State Singles were:
Most Improved Female - Chantal Anderson 
Most Improved Male - Ben Kincses
Most Improved Junior - Elizabeth Vargas
Best Sportsmanship - Deanne Erskine
Best Tournament Director - Jo Shattuck
Best Club - Highlands Ranch

Eric John Nydam was also the first "early-bird" to enter State Singles, and won a free entry to either the 2008 State Doubles - or - the 2009 State Singles. Congratulations, and thanks for entering early!

CRA Board Member Dan Davis was recently interviewed and featured in an online news segment broadcast by Denver's News7.

Davis is credited as the inventor of "Wacquetball" -- a game variation geared for seniors, that is designed to use an oversized ball and slow down the game for those with limited mobility.

The voiceover clip explains how the new game is played, and several enthusiasts are shown taking part and talking about how much they enjoy the new twist.

The two minute segment can be viewed on the ABC affiliate website. Send your shout-out congratulations to Dan@ColoradoRacquetball.com. Good job!

An eight-player Colorado contingent made its way south to Albuquerque for the World Senior Championships, and brought home with a handful of medals for their trouble.

The team included: Deb Beldring (2nd/W40), Ray Cornell (13/M45), Tina Hagen (1st/W35), Ed Kidneigh (10/M55+; 2nd/MX55 w/Tilbury), Mike Lawrence (11/M45), Shirley Parsons (1st/W55; 1st/Mxd55), Luke St. Onge (2nd/Mxd 60 & 65), Cindy Tilbury (2nd/W50 & Mxd 50 w/Kidneigh). Congratulations!

Don Goodwin, who plays at the Littleton YMCA in Denver, shared his feel-good experience from the Motorola / Verizon World Championship IRT Pro Stop held in Colorado Springs ...

For those of us who love the game, we who think about it every spare moment of the day, practice our stroke mechanics in the men’s room at work, we who are just down-right obsessed with it, were blessed recently with a new Grand Slam event in Colorado Springs.  The experience of witnessing the immortals from whatever planet they hail from was truly mesmerizing. 

First, there was the made for TV court.  Sitting in the stands at the side of the court sent the viewing perspective to a new level of speed and out of this world ability of the professional athletes in the sport.   There was not a bad seat in the house; from any angle it was enjoyable to be a spectator.  It was especially fun to see our own homeboy Woody handling the commentary for Royster Productions.

Additionally, the professional players were very approachable.  I think I introduced myself to every one of them and they were grateful to meet with and talk personably with you.  I found them to be extremely friendly and appreciative of the recognition and admiration they receive from fan base of the sport.  Unlike most professional sports, even the amateur is made to feel like he is adopted into the brotherhood of this special group of people.

Finally, the setting was inspiring.  A great many people and suppliers went all out in making this a special event for us, the spectator.  When I first walked into the setting I knew this was going to be a special event.  Thanks Eddie for bringing the Motorola Verizon IRT nationals and Grand Slam tournament to Colorado Springs.  It was the highlight of my year and I look forward to this becoming an annual event in our area.