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25th Anniversary Tournament Makes a Big Racket!
By David Caldwell
Touted as the tourney of all tourneys, the CSPG 25th Anniversary Squash Tourney may have been the best event yet. Calgary's longest running squash tournament was promoted as a special year because we celebrated the event's 25th Anniversary. Once the dust had settled and participants woke from a memorable or partly memorable banquet celebration, there should have been no doubt that the pain of competition and joy of camaraderie over the past three days was well worth it.
Most of the tournament's success can be attributed to the many generous sponsors. Once again, Tucker Wireline Services stepped in as Tournament Sponsor with a large cash donation, as well as sponsoring the practice nights and registration night at the Bow Valley Club. Weatherford Canada, Baker Atlas and Geotir Inc. also generously supported the tournament, donating $1500 each for the event.
There was an increase in the number of gold-level sponsors this year. Belloy Petroleum Consulting and Divestco Inc. generously renewed their gold sponsorship levels. Genesis Executive Corp. jumped from a Silver sponsor to the gold level. Halliburton Energy Services, Lyons Oilfield Scouting, Pulse Date Inc. and Sanjel Corporation became new sponsors at the $1,000 level.
The increase in sponsor money allowed for bigger and better highlights during the tournament. Thursday night finger food became 'Pizza and Calzone Night'. Saturday muffins and coffee were upgraded to a full brunch including a customized omelet station and a wild game meat chili. Long sleeve shirts were also added to recognize sponsors who had contributed towards the event.
A newly built doubles squash court at the World Health Club in Edgemont was a huge hit. Nearly half of the tournament's participants played both singles and doubles while others got to try the sport out by filling in for players during the tournament. Gord Copp and James Muraro won the inaugural Competitive Doubles Division while committee members Kristy Howe and David Caldwell took the Recreational Doubles Crown.
Other highlights featured a changing of the guard in the Men's A Division as young newcomer Ian Laycock breezed into the final to oust his unbeaten rival, Dave Safton, 3-0. Hilary Foulkes made a triumphant return to the tourney winning the Women's A Division after several years of retirement.
Special thanks to: EnCana for their generous sponsorship of our student participants, Baker Atlas for the always fun and hilarious "Teams Tourney", Geotir Inc. for making sure everyone got home safely with Taxi Chits, all of the other tournament sponsors. I would also like to extend a big thanks to the World Health Club for putting up with 130 crazy earth scientists all weekend long.
Lastly, a sincere appreciation to all of the Squash Committee Members for their countless hours of work to make this year's squash tourney the best ever. Members include: Colin Thiessen, Jessie Mitton, Kristy Howe, Randy Smith, Megan Barefoot, Ryan Barnett, Megan Huckvale, Warren Dublonko, Shawn Lafleur, Kris Jewett and David Caldwell.
2008 Winners!
Mens A: |
Ian Laycock |
Mens A Runner-up: |
Dave Safton |
Mens A Cons: |
Gord Copp |
Mens B: |
Justin Vandebrink |
Mens B Runner-up: |
David Cairns |
Mens B Cons: |
Ken Chong |
Mens C: |
Trevor Duncan |
Mens C Runner-up: |
Mark Norton |
Mens C Cons: |
Dwayne Sparks |
Mens D: |
Darrell Hemsing |
Mens D Runner-up: |
Cam Mitchell |
Mens D Cons: |
Ryan Gaylard |
Mens E: |
Derek Mortson |
Mens E Runner-up: |
Bruce Keen |
Mens E Cons: |
Pawel Chiewcko |
Womens A: |
Hilary Foulkes |
Womens A Runner-up: |
Solana Jear |
Womens B: |
Catherine Barrett |
Womens B Runner-up: |
Ann Ceccanese |
Womens C: |
Jessie Mitton |
Womens C Runner-up: |
Leanne Paterson |
Womens D: |
Aimee Blasetti |
Womens D Runner-up: |
Dawn Hodgins |
Womens E: |
Candice Shulz |
Womens E Runner-up: |
Lori Moores |
Womens E Cons: |
Cathy Cowling |
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25th Annual Squash Tournament Gallery
