Cash prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. We will also draw for two free appetizers at Marlow's Tavern. In addition to cash, first place is also sponsored by Sushi Nami and will get a $50 gift card! Check Squash SMASH Tourney for more details of the tourney, how it works, rules, and whatnot.
Saim K. (5.0), black shirt, vs. Dave L. (4.5)... in the finals!
For those of you who don't know Saim K. (5.0), he is one of the Squash SMASH Tourney's most seasoned players. He knows how to play lower skill leveled players, focuses on not giving up points, and is a confident match for anyone a 5.0 level and up. It was no surprise when Saim K. (5.0) solidly held down the winners' bracket, especially with so many first time players. Having controlled the winners' bracket, he sat patiently waiting for all those poor saps in the losers bracket to grind it out. There were some tight battles for him though. Saim almost got put into the losers bracket by Craig G. (4.0) in tight races where two games came down to match ball each. Sam F. (3.0) also gave him a scare by snapping off the first game in the match... but this was Sam's first SMASH event and losing the first game wasn't going to rattle Saim. Dave L. (4.5) gave Saim two matches, first match Saim pushed Dave into the losers bracket and then again in the finals.... the out comes were identical. Congratulations to Saim K. (5.0)! 1. Saim K. (5.0) - $90 2. Dave L. (4.5) - $45 3. Sam F. (3.0) - $15
The final brackets
We had 10 great players at the first ever Squash SMASH Tourney at the Life Time Fitness in Woodstock and it was a lot of fun! Even Rehan S. (4.0) had fun. There was Joaquin F. (2.5), one of our youngest players, show that he could get on the court with the big guys and even sent Justin V. (2.5) home early. Speaking of Justin V. (2.5). Justin has just taken squash up and loves it. He also loves to remind advanced players like Dave L. (4.5) and Rehan S. (4.0) that in a SMASH tourney there can be no mistakes. Dave L. was able to get passed Justin but Rehan didn't make it. This was also Chandra S. (4.0)'s first tourney and he instantly felt the pressure of the SMASH when he stepped on the court with Sam F. (3.0). Sam held his own through the tourney in nothing but tight races and he even got to experience the 5.0 fun that Saim K. shares with his opponents. Can't say that Sam F. (3.0) enjoyed that fun for sure.... but he did eventually take 3rd place! This was also Craig G.'s (4.0) first EvenSquash even and got to play a wide range of players from Joaquin F. (2.5) to Saim K. (5.0) in ultra-tense matches that he would normally not play in other squash events. Craig eventually got sent home by Sam F.
In addition to Saim K., we also had Telmo S., Mario de M. (4.5), and Rehan S. (4.0) come up from the club in Sandy Springs to play in the tourney. They really helped the players who've not seen this format before, fit in and have fun. Thanks for your help! Special thanks to Dave L. (4.5) for helping organize, promote, and host the event at the Life Time Fitness in Woodstock.
I hope that everyone had a great time on Saturday. There's talk of making it a monthly squash event at the Woodstock Life Time Fitness.... Contact the squash pro there to find out more.
Below are some great pics n vids and more lame-ass commentary.
I'll have next week's tourney announcement up in a day or two. Until then, you can always follow along with live updates and latest info on Twitter @EvenSquash, Facebook @EvenSquash, Instagram @EvenSquash. And you can always add your email address (see the left side bar) to get emails about the latest posts.
Oh, this is just like racquetball!
- Bob -
Dave L. (4.5), white shirt, vs Telmo S. (4.0)
"I'm not out of breath, I just thought I saw something on the floor..."
Rehan S. (4.0), yellow shirt, vs. Craig G. (4.0)
You would think this match would have incredibly long rallies.... but it doesn't
Dave L. (4.5), white shirt, vs. Telmo S. (4.0)
Lots of calls... even a stroke!
Rehan S. (4.0), yellow shirt, vs. Craig G. (4.0)
Rehan's shot off the back glass didn't pay out...
Rehan S. (4.0), yellow shirt, vs. Justin V. (2.5)
Serve and serve return practice....
Dave L. (4.5), white shirt, vs. Sam F. (3.0)
Added pressure of sudden death: One game determines the match
Dave L. (4.5), white shirt, vs. Sam F. (3.0)
Great rally for the battle for 3rd place!
Saim K. (5.0), black shirt, vs Dave L. (4.5)
Finals - Great match up!
...don't listen to the background noise:
Why would you hand out little horns at kids birthday party - ARE YOU MAD!?
On Saturday, January 28, at 1pm,LifetimeFitness in Woodstock will host a SquashSMASH tourney. All players of all skill levels are welcome. This is just like the Weekly Wednesday tourneys in Atlanta ... just on Saturday... and in Woodstock... and not weekly....
$15 entry fee - Cash only. Pay when checking in.
Cash prizes - Payouts for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd... and maybe some other loot too.
Handicapped, mixed skill level play - Anyone can play anyone!
Double elimination - Even if you lose your first match you can still fight back to win the whole thing!
Cash prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. We will also draw for two free appetizers at Marlow's Tavern. In addition to cash, first place is also sponsored by Sushi Nami and will get a $50 gift card! Check Squash SMASH Tourney for more details of the tourney, how it works, rules, and whatnot.
In case you missed last last week's Weekly Wednesday Squash SMASH tourney, we had 12phenomenal players and ended with Tucker M. (4.5) winning $108 and a $50 Sushi Nami gift card! For pro commentary - check out: RESULTS - JAN 18 Weekly Wednesday Squash SMASH Tourney Hope to see you this Wednesday or Saturday!
Someone asked me about what I thought about someone who doesn't play squash.... I pity the fool!
Wow! - Wow! - I mean WOW! 12 players in last night's weekly Wednesday Squash SMASH Tourney and Tucker M. (4.5) played through them all! It was a dark start though... Tucker came out of the gate against Tom R. (3.0), who's 'unconventional' serve return through Tucker in to the losers' bracket the very first round! It also sent Tucker scrambling for a new racket (don't ask...). Taking the long road to victory, Tucker had to face players like first time and unknown player Johannes D. (2.5), seasoned Saim K. (5.0), the tough Colombian Alejo C. (3.5), and back around to Tom R. again in the money rounds. It ended with Tucker M. and Fletch C. (5.0) in the finals. Fletch had crushed through the winners' bracket and was waiting on the losers side to boil down, was, needless to say, cold and hungry waiting for Tucker. Tucker, confident after figuring out Tom R.'s style, took the advantage while Fletch was struggling to warm up. Given Tucker's stats, previous win, and previous finishes in the money, Tucker will now play as a 5.0. Congratulations to Tucker M. (5.0). 1. Tucker M. (4.5) - $108 + $50 Sushi Nami Gift Card 2. Fletch C. (5.0) - $57 3. Tom R. (3.0) - $15 Cat G. (2.5) and Alejo C. (3.5) won the draw for Marlow's Tavern Appetizer Cards
The final brackets
Good times. We had a lot of players with a great mix of skills and experience. Welcome first time players Johannes D. (2.5) and Brian W. (2.5) who, depending on how you look at it, got thrown in with the experienced players like Tucker M. (4.5), Saim K. (5.0), and Scott F. (4.5) (aka Ski) in the first rounds.
Speaking of Ski, Scott F. (4.5) was able to play tonight which always adds a lot of fun because he's always helping out the lesser skilled players with great tips... and also if you match up against him, gently reminding you that you have a long way to go. Speaking of Cat, she was able to stay in and play Ski and Alejo C. (3.5). Brian W. got some good games in with Paul C. (3.0). Paul C. had a good showing but, under pressure of having to run an errand before stores closed, eventually fell to Alejo C. (3.5). Amanda W. (2.5) came in just after the start but was able to buy a vacant spot before the match was called and get some squash on. Adam S. (4.0) got put down in the first round but wanting to play some squash and not to use the word 'fluffer', stuck around and help keep other players warmed up while they waited for their matches.
Good times. Good times.
Hope to see you out next week!
Below are some great pics n vids and more lame-ass commentary. Check the side bar for the latest Squash SMASH Tourney's Winner's Circle and other info about the EvenSquash handicap system and tournaments. I'll have next week's tourney announcement up in a day or two. Until then, you can always follow along with live updates and latest info on Twitter @EvenSquash, Facebook @EvenSquash, Instagram @EvenSquash. And you can always add your email address (see the left side bar) to get emails about the latest posts. I don't like my new shoes... - Bob -
Alejo C. (3.5) vs. Adam S. (4.0), black shirt
Alejo coming off the back wall and anticipating a drop shot in the front corner
Fletch C. (5.0), white shirt, vs. Alejo C. (3.5)
No really...it's harder than it looks...
Amanda W. (2.5) vs. Adam S. (4.0)
Adam practicing the hard serve.... Amanda practicing the return...
Adam S. (4.0), black shirt, vs. Alejo C. (3.5)
Short blasting rallies in this clip doesn't do the players justice
Cat. G. (2.5) vs Alejo C. (3.5)
Cat learning it's hard to play friends ... but Alejo wasn't
Cash prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd and other loot to be announced
Check Squash SMASH Tourney for more details of the tourney, how it works, rules, and whatnot.
Weekly Wednesday Squash SMASH Tourney!
Every Wednesday 6:30 ~ 8:30
Lifetime Fitness Sandy Springs location.
Cash prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. We will also draw for two free appetizers at Marlow's Tavern.If we get more than 9 players, a randomly selected player will get a $50Sushi Nami Gift Card! Check Squash SMASH Tourney for more details of the tourney, how it works, rules, and whatnot.
1. Deposit $15 2. Wait approx two hours 3. Play some squash while waiting 4. Collect $72
It wasn't all playing squash and watching the clock for Todd though. He had some risky matches right from the start. There was first timer Cat G. (2.5), who may have been a bit nervous at the start, but she quickly let Todd know that she did know how to play squash and was going to throw some uncertainty into Todd's plans. Then Todd went up against Alejo C. (3.5), a significant risk to his investment and a player that is known to chase the ball down until the ball is laying on the floor or he is. Then there was Hadi (3.0), an infrequent player but still skilled enough to make Todd complain about the wait and to consider hedging his position. Todd finally met George L. (2.5) in the finals. George L., also rarely seen in the tourney, had just fought his way out of the losers' bracket, and was following Todd's investment advice, with the goal of maximizing his return. Congratulations to Todd H. (3.0) for winning last night's squash SMASH tourney. Todd H. will now play as a 3.5. 1. Todd H. (3.0) - $72 2. George L. (2.5) - $33 3. Hadi (3.0) - $15 Jeff D. (3.0) and Amanda W. (2.5) won the Marlow's Tavern Free Appetizer Cards
Final brackets
We had 8 solid players, a couple we haven't seen in a while, and one first timer. It was a great field too with skill levels ranging from 2.5 to 4.0 with 3 2.5's, 3 3.0's, a 3.5, and a 4.0. Amanda W. (2.5) had only played once before and many moons ago, was back looking for some fast pace fun. I think she found it in her matches with Hadi (3.0) and Adam S. (4.0). Hadi (3.0), would advance through the winners' bracket until Todd called him out. Adam S. (4.0), the heavy for the tourney, found out that the beginner level players were pretty tough under the EvenSquash handicap system and had some serious pressure not to make a mistake. Alejo C. (3.5) gave Adam a good run with some tight matches with some great gets. Adam eventually fell to George L. (2.5) with a max pressure of both players needing one point to win the match, pulled unforced error, allowing George to advance. Cat G. (2.5) stunned Jeff D. (3.0) with a quick win in the first game. But Jeff D. (3.0) being an experienced tourney player, focused up and sent Cat home for the night. Always lots of fun (well, there was this one time...) Hope to see you out next week!
Below are some great pics n vids and more crappy commentary. I played in the tourney this week and didn't spend as much time collecting media.... I'll have more for you next week! Check the side bar for the latest Squash SMASH Tourney's Winner's Circle and other info about the EvenSquash handicap system and tournaments. I'll have next week's tourney announcement up in a day or two. Until then, you can always follow along with live updates and latest info on Twitter @EvenSquash, Facebook @EvenSquash, Instagram @EvenSquash. And you can always add your email address (see the left side bar) to get emails about the latest posts. Was that a stroke? - Bob -
Cat G. (2.5) vs Todd H. (3.0)
Todd thought he knew Cat....until she won a game off of him....
George L. (2.5), white shirt, vs. Hadi (3.0)
Warming up....
George L. (2.5), white shirt, vs Adam S. (4.0)
George reminded Adam that his mistakes could be painful
Adam S. (4.0), red shirt, vs. Alejo C. (3.5)
I am not sure how these players got in this position.... just sayn
We had 9 solid players last week and it ended with Tucker M. (4.5) taking home $81 of everyone's money. Want a chance to get some back?
Sign up for this week's Wednesday night tourney!
Every Wednesday at Lifetime Fitness Sandy Springs location. Cash prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. We will also draw for two free appetizers at Marlow's Tavern.If we get more than 9 players, a randomly selected player will get a $50Sushi Nami Gift Card! Check Squash SMASH Tourney for more details of the tourney, how it works, rules, and whatnot.
Tucker M., playing at skill level 4.5, played 13 consecutive games against solid and seasoned opponents; Opponents like Mario de M. (4.5), Wayne J. (4.5), George B. (3.5), and Jeff D. (3.0) who put up solid games but just couldn't get to the winning number before Tucker. It came down to the finals between Jeff and Tucker where Jeff reminded the stronger player that there can be no mistakes and made sure it was close with 1 game each. The next game would be the winner. Tucker found his concentration cap in his bag... and closed up shop on Jeff. Congratulations to Tucker M. (4.5) winning this week's Weekly Wednesday Squash SMASH Tourney and taking home 1st place's $81 cash. 1. Tucker M. (4.5) - $81 2. Jeff D. (3.0) - $39 3. Mario de M. (4.5) - $15
The final brackets
We had 9 players with skills from 2.5 - 5.0. Frank G. (2.5) rarely plays and made a last minute decision to jump in the tourney but perhaps with some bad luck in the draw, faced the two most seasoned SMASH players Mario de. M (4.5) and Jeff D. (3.0), and by seasoned I mean they have the most experience with the tournament format, handicap system, and especially playing players of differing skill levels. Michael W. (2.5), winner of the largest tourney on record, also went home early. George B. (3.5), aka 'don't let him get to the ball', had a tough path by playing three of the top 4 rated players in the tourney - right out of the gate. Saim K. (5.0), the top rated and ranked player in the tourney held steady until he got to Wayne J. (4.5). I believe this is where Wayne put the slow burn of age on his much younger opponent... but then - you be the judge.
All in all - lots of fun and hope to see you out next week.
Below are some great pics n vids and more terrible commentary. I played in the tourney this week and didn't spend as much time collecting media.... I'll have more for you next week!
I'll have next week's tourney announcement up in a day or two. Until then, you can always follow along with live updates and latest info on Twitter @EvenSquash, Facebook @EvenSquash, Instagram @EvenSquash. And you can always add your email address (see the left side bar) to get emails about the latest posts.
Racket up! - Bob -
Jeff D. (3.0), grey shirt, vs. Tucker M. (4.5)
Match Ball: The final points of the final game
Wayne J. (4.5), blue shirt, vs. Saim K. (5.0)
This wasn't the best play between the two.... just sayn
Now to the good stuff.... it might be a bit long - take a break if you need to, but I think you'll find it interesting. No TL;DR's.
Who were the big winners? Here's the top 10:
Name
Skill Level
Total $ Winnings
1
Saim Khalid
5.0
$371
2
Scott Feinstein
4.5
$240
3
Andrew Mellow
4.0
$237
4
Charlie Johnson
5.5
$236
5
Denri Gottemaker
4.0
$177
6
Mario de Mendoza
4.5
$171
7
Assam Javiad
5.0
$171
8
Fong Yeow
4.5
$167
9
Alejandro C
3.5
$156
10
Fletcher Cline
5.0
$155
If you want to see who's 11 through 37 winners or more details like who has finished in the money the most, or who's got the most 2nd place finishes, check out the Squash SMASH Winner's Circle
Have you ever seen player stats for squash players like you get for baseball and other sports? How about this for a start: For those players that played pretty frequently, I started tracking the points they earned per game and how many they needed to win that game. I then made a rolling average of their percentage of 'must win points' over the most recent 40 games. So what does that tell you?
Glad you asked. It tells you that for any given player of any skill level, how advanced they are for that skill level. For example, Todd H. (3.0) vs Jeff D. (3.0), their % must win points are 87.4% and 80.6%, respectively. This means that if they played 40 games, I would expect Todd to be a bit stronger than Jeff. This would also be true with a 5.0 playing a 3.5 or any other mix of skill levels because it comes down to the percentage of points they make given the points needed. So you could expect Morgan P. (3.5) to beat Saim K. (5.0) on average. It also tells you when a player may be ready for a level adjustment.
Player
% Must win pts
SL
Games
Scott Feinstein
87.9%
4.5
3
Andrew Mellon
87.4%
3.5
40
Todd Hollosi
87.4%
3.0
40
Yoaan Brugies
86.6%
3.0
31
Fong Yeow
86.1%
4.5
9
Morgan Purvis
84.7%
3.5
29
Alejandro Cadavid
84.0%
3.5
37
Anjo Gottemaker
82.7%
5.0
40
Fletcher Cline
81.1%
5.0
40
Jeff Dinkle
80.6%
3.0
40
Assam Javaid
78.3%
5.0
38
Saim Khalid
78.0%
5.0
40
Roger Woodman
77.7%
3.5
24
Luis Pineda
77.4%
3.0
40
Jim Cotter
77.4%
3.5
12
Rehan Saeed
76.8%
4.0
37
Mario de Mendoza
73.1%
4.5
40
Roland Dung
70.8%
3.0
31
Frank Gary
67.3%
2.5
26
Courtney Wilson
52.8%
3.5
10
Anyway - It was a great year and a fun experiment. I had a lot of fun putting it together and I hope everyone else had fun too.
I will continue running the tournaments as long as we have enough players and we're attracting new players.
