Grand Canyon State Games - 2008 Summer

Camelback Village has been hosting the GCSG since 2004, for 2008 a new format was brought in. The squash tournament was played over 2 week-ends. DC Ranch played host May 30th-June 1st and Camelback June 6-8th. A total if 106 players participated this year, a record entry.

The reason for this was a new format that was played. DC Ranch used an Olympic Draw; this entailed having 2 32 player draws or a maximum of 64 players. The entries for this were all in with a month to spare. These were called A and B, the A event being payers with a rating from 4.5 upwards and the B’s 4.0 The top 16 were seeded in each draw and the other 16 were randomly drawn. If you lost your first round you dropped the equivalent of 2 divisions, so for example the A event was given a 5.5 rating, lose the first round and you dropped to a 4.5 rating, if you lost that you then dropped to a 4.0A draw. If you won your first but lost your second you dropped to a 5.0 division. The B event was rated as a 4.0B, 3.5, 3.0 and then 2.5.

The system ensured each player had a minimum of 3 matches with a maximum of 5 in 3 days. Total number of matches played was 128!!!

This new format proved very popular with a few eye openers, upsets, near upsets etc… and tired players at the end.

Former US squash pro Marty Clark, 4 times US National Champion and until his retirement was the highest ever world ranked American, came along on finals day to play 3 lucky players and answer questions.

The second week-end was for age groups, novice and more advanced women and juniors. 42 players particated for week 2

85 year old Dick Daly kept his winning run by successfully defending the 65+ title. Dick gave on average 15 years to his competition.

In the womens novice event new fans were unearthed, all coming from the tennis courts , the competiton was fierce no woman wanting to lose. These ladies are now thinking on how to challenge to the next level.

As expected in the juniors the experienced Gordon Silverman won but his title is not looking safe as new juniors were found and with some tution could soon be knocking at the door.

For a full view of the draws , players etc… follow the following link http://www.r2sports.com/tourney/home.asp?TID=3790

Once again the GCSG would like to thank the Village clubs for their wonderful hospitality during the tournament.