The second half of the 2013-14 IRT Tier 1 season started west in California, headed east to New York, flew north to South Dakota and covering the final compass point south in Tampa for the Florida Spring Break Pro/Am March 6-9. And, as Kim Roy, tournament director, says, “Spring break in Florida means sun, fun, and racquetball. There’s no down side to that combination!”
IRT Pros Battle for Rank & ProKennex Tournament of Champions Invite
The biggest story leading into the second half of the men’s pro racquetball season was Kane Waselenchuk’s return from injury to reclaim the #1 ranking at the ROLLOUT New Jersey Open. He put questions about his status to rest during January’s tough stretch of three damage-inducing (and inflaming) Tier 1 tournaments, winning from the West Coast to the East and back again, in the Upper Midwest. Click for IRT Pros Battle for Rank
#3 Alvaro Beltran: Tier 1 Champion
In a tight match during the 2014 Cactus Salon NYC IRT Pro/Am, Alvaro Beltran turned to the backcourt — and grinned. His sense of humor is as renowned as his smooth style of play. Don’t be fooled. Beneath the easy-going demeanor is a competitor who has climbed up the pro ranks, dropped down after surgery, and charged back to the top. The 36th person to take a top-tier tournament entered the exclusive “Tier 1 Champions Club” nearly three years after questioning whether he’d ever compete at the elite level of racquetball again. Read More: Beltran Tier 1 Champion
Rapha House IRT Online Auction Open February 10 – March 9
Rapha House, which fights child trafficking and sexual exploitation, is the official charity for the Florida Spring Break IRT ProAm. Auction items will be on display at Harbour Island Athletic Club and Spa in downtown Tampa. Featured items include Cayman Island vacations, Limited & signed Kane Waselenchuk poster, a Golf Package for Four at the River Strand, and more.
Save up to 20% off with IRT Official Retailer Racquetball Warehouse I Your Ultimate Equipment Resource. Free 2 Day Shipping over $75 | Free Return Shipping | Largest Racquet Demo Program
Winning doubles requires more than banging the ball, standing anywhere, and playing like singles together on the court. It’s primarily a game of strategy and positioning at the intermediate and advanced levels. Two people join skills and unify into a singular unit, moving and working independently and together at the same time. Doubles is truly an art; it is like playing the game of chess at 100+ mph. Click for more on the Art of Racquetball Doubles
Writers Wanted
Do you love writing and racquetball? The men’s professional International Racquetball Tour (IRT-Tour.com) is hiring more outstanding freelance writers to create publish-ready articles throughout the year.
Racquetball experience and/or knowledge is preferred, but not required. Topics are assigned on a case-by-case basis, including personality pieces, tournament previews, action stories, product reviews, company profiles, and more. If you write engaging stories, communicate professionally, and deliver quality content within reasonable deadlines, please send an e-mail describing your interest, relevant background, and a sample of your writing to [email protected] We pay for all rights upon acceptance of each article.
Ektelon Introduces New Commitment to Customer Service
Ektelon announced the addition of Maria Edwards as Business Services & Development Manager to the team. Maria will play a key role in developing and executing sales and customer service programs and establishing herself as the hub of the Ektelon brand.
In-Shape Sport, West Lane will host one of Nor Cal’s oldest tournaments on 9 courts with room for 100 spectators. “It’s a very old school, family first type of club when it comes to racquetball,” said Tournament Director and former top pro, John Ellis.
Right after taking a tight, five-game final at the Carl Myers Tier 2 pro stop in Garden City Kansas, Ben Croft announced another winner: Iris Zemach, who won the free clinic at his home club in Redmond, WA.
The second half of the 2013-14 IRT Tier 1 season started west in California, headed east to New York, flew north to South Dakota and covering the final compass point south in Tampa for the Florida Spring Break Pro/Am March 6-9. And, as Kim Roy, tournament director, says, “Spring break in Florida means sun, fun, and racquetball. There’s no down side to that combination!”
The biggest story leading into the second half of the men’s pro racquetball season was Kane Waselenchuk’s return from injury to reclaim the #1 ranking at the ROLLOUT New Jersey Open. He put questions about his status to rest during January’s tough stretch of three damage-inducing (and inflaming) Tier 1 tournaments, winning from the West Coast to the East and back again, in the Upper Midwest.
In a tight match during the 2014 Cactus Salon NYC IRT Pro/Am, Alvaro Beltran turned to the backcourt — and grinned. His sense of humor is as renowned as his smooth style of play. Don’t be fooled. Beneath the easy-going demeanor is a competitor who has climbed up the pro ranks, dropped down after surgery, and charged back to the top. The 36th person to take a top-tier tournament entered the exclusive “Tier 1 Champions Club” nearly three years after questioning whether he’d ever compete at the elite level of racquetball again.
Rapha House, which fights child trafficking and sexual exploitation, is the official charity for the Florida Spring Break IRT ProAm. Auction items will be on display at Harbour Island Athletic Club and Spa in downtown Tampa. Featured items include Cayman Island vacations, Limited & signed Kane Waselenchuk poster, a Golf Package for Four at the River Strand, and more.
Winning doubles requires more than banging the ball, standing anywhere, and playing like singles together on the court. It’s primarily a game of strategy and positioning at the intermediate and advanced levels. Two people join skills and unify into a singular unit, moving and working independently and together at the same time. Doubles is truly an art; it is like playing the game of chess at 100+ mph.
Ektelon announced the addition of Maria Edwards as Business Services & Development Manager to the team. Maria will play a key role in developing and executing sales and customer service programs and establishing herself as the hub of the Ektelon brand.
Right after taking a tight, five-game final at the Carl Myers Tier 2 pro stop in Garden City Kansas, Ben Croft announced another winner: Iris Zemach, who won the free clinic at his home club in Redmond, WA.
