The IRT is the governing body of men's professional racquetball. Structured as a partnership with the best players and tournaments in the world, the IRT is responsible for:
* Ranking the world's players based on performance
* Administration of the tournament calendar
* Officiating & Rules
* Promotion of the professional sport
THE STRUCTURE OF MEN'S PROFESSIONAL RACQUETBALL
Event Category Number of Events
2008-2009 Prize Money
Grand Slams 3 $30,000+
Tier I 14 $17,500 - $29,999
Tier II 3 $10,000 - $17,499
Tier III 1 $5,000 - $9,999
Tier IV 12 $0 - $4,999
WHERE TO GET STARTED
The best possible way to start a professional career is to first gain ranking points.
ENTERING TOURNAMENTS
Players gain acceptance into the main draw of the above tournaments in the following ways:
1. Direct entry through the IRT by phone, e-mail or fax. This accounts for the majority of entries.
2. Entry through Tournament Director of the event intended.
ENTRY DEADLINES
Entries for IRT events must be received by the Monday 6pm central before the start of the main draw competition.
Grand Slam qualifying entries must be received by the marked entry deadline before the start of the main draw competition.
CONTACT:
Jason Mannino
IRT Commissioner
39252 Winchester Road #107-413
Muririeta, CA 92563-3510
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IRT RANKINGS
The IRT Ranking's Race is an annual points race to determine the year-end standings. The IRT Ranking is an objective, performance-based, mathematical method of ranking men's professional racquetball players. It is the basis for the acceptance of entries for all professional racquetball tournaments worldwide. Ranking points are awarded to players based on tournament category and prize money level. Players participating in these tournaments receive points based on the matches played and the round reached.
Point system is as follows:
* The rankings are based on a rolling 12 months of tournaments. This is used to determine rank and seeding of players.
* Each game won in a match that is lost is worth 5 points.
* Each event will be treated as a beginning in the round of 32 unless the draw is over 2 rounds of qualifying. If this occurs, the points will be based upon a draw of 64.
* 3 extra points are awarded for each qualifying match won.
* New rankings are calculated after each event. First, points earned at the events that have dropped off the rolling 12 month calendar are deducted. Next, the player’s lowest scores will be dropped. The number of scores to be dropped is based on the number of events that have occurred during the most recent 12 month period.
* As the season progresses and the oldest tournaments are being dropped, the lowest scores are recalculated based on the new set of scores from the most recent 12 month period.
* A determined number of events will be allowed to be dropped based on the number of events played during an IRT season. Dropped events will be based upon lowest point totals.
IRT PLAYER SERVICES
The IRT offers a broad range of services to aspiring racquetball professionals, including:
* Entries to IRT tournaments
* Schedule and information on IRT Tournaments
* Advice from IRT Players regarding men's professional racquetball
IRT DUES
Player dues are $10 per event or $100 for a one-year membership
Players who attain an IRT membership are entitled to:
* Participation in IRT Sanctioned Events
* Tournament entry services by phone/fax or e-mail
* Voting rights if minimum number of events are played
IRT WEBSITE
www.irt-tour.com - The official site of men's professional racquetball. Features the latest news, results, standings, IRT Tournament calendars and link to other racquetball sites.
www.choicehotelsusopen.com is the officail site for the Choice Hotels US OPEN held in November