The 2008 San Diego Open

National City CA – The IRT returned to San Diego and the American Athletic Club after a one year absence and was greeted with an amateur draw of three hundred players from Mexico and the US. Brent Avery had moved the event to Tijuana last year and after much deliberating decide to move the event back to the American Athletic Club in National City where he and his wife Sofia had began the event seven years ago. This event as always offers the most to the players and food is served nearly around the clock and there is always a great party on Saturday night with live entertainment. This year was no exception and if you like carne asada, guacamole, chips and chicken on the grill beware as you will gain  a few pounds here no matter how many matches you play over the weekend!!

The tournament would feature some fire and ice in the IRT division as tempers flared on Friday night between Chris Crowther and Alvaro Beltran. These two sometimes roommates on tour were in a battle in the second game and at 10-10 Chris hit an overhead that struck Alvaro in the back of the head. Although the shot was not taken on purpose it appeared that way too many of the Beltran fans and being Alvaro’s home club they came to his defense. After some brief commotion and unsportsmanlike conduct from both players and the crowd, cooler heads would prevail and the match would continue with Alvaro besting Chris in three games. Both players shook hands after the match and apologized to the crowd for the mishap.  The final would be more fire and ice as Rocky Carson would meet Jack Huczek in the final. Rocky came out on fire in each game only to have Jack fight and cool off Rocky each game coming back from a huge deficit in games three and four to eventually take the title. This would be Jack’s first win at this event which he had always struggled at in the past. The rivalry this season between these two is heating up as the race for the year end number one ranking continues to be only one or two rounds apart for these doubles partners.

Side notes

-          What a great job by all the volunteers and help at this event. All the players were treated first class and looked out for all weekend. The IRT and players thank you all.

-          Sinuhe and Scott thank you for your help and support of the IRT players you guys are class acts.

-          Big thanks to Brent Avery and his lovely wife Sofia. Your hospitality and attention to detail is much appreciated by the IRT. Great event and we look forward to come back next year.

-          A new era at the American Athletic Club began the day we left and we wish former Baja Racquetball president David Leon good luck on your purchase of the AAC. Thanks for keeping old school racquetball clubs alive and well.

-          Thanks to Tony Ramirez for stepping up as always and taking on the title sponsorship role of the event. Tony is the lifeline of the IRT coming to this region and we appreciate your support and efforts for allowing the best in the world come to your city and display their skills.

-          Also thank you to all the hard working volunteers that worked the BBQ grill all week. We all loved the tortillas and carne asada!!!