Ahhh.... I finally feel as though I have recovered from an AWESOME weekend.

The tournament was awesome and alot of great racquetball was played. But what makes it possible to have a tournament like this is the help and support from friends. There are so many people to thank, I don't want to leave anyone out.

First let me start out with the sponsors of this event.


ProKennex & Mike Martinez: I've been with you for 6 years. When I first came on board we talked about having an outdoor tournament that we can grow from the ground up and make it the talk of the East Coast. Well this was the 5th Annual event and we haven't slowed down yet. Thanks for your continued support.

40by20.com: Your support and motivation make things alot easier. Always there supporting outdoor racquetball. Your financial contribution and your willingness to help are admirable.

DiSalvo's Italian Restaurant: What can I say, always willing to contribute and keep all the players fed. All you asked was how many people am I expecting and you fed us all. Because of your generosity, these tournaments are affordable and we are able to offer the cash prizes that we do.

Racquetworld: Even though this was the first year that I have worked with you, it definetly will not be the last.

Top Play Gear: I have ran approximately 15-18 tournaments in the last 5 years and this years shirts are the nicest designed shirts of them all. Top Play Gear is a 1st class operation.

Now, on a personal level:

The ENTIRE BERNSTEIN FAMILY!!!: Players in South Florida are lucky to have the Bernstein family. And I really mean the ENTIRE Family! Harvey "The Grillmaster" Bernstein, tirelessly working the grills keeping 135 players and there families and spectators fed. Rick & Mindy Bernstein, helping out at the desk and checking players in. Rick was constantly on the move helping find players, referees and just doing everything he can possibly do. Mindy keeping me in line and making sure all the players received a nicely folded shirt. And of course, MICHAEL BERNSTEIN, this young man is a machine. Michael keeps that desk running smoothly.

Chris Young: This is the other half of the WOR Directors for Florida. Chris has a knack for finding referees for games, he just walks up to people and hands them a card with a pencil and tells them to ref the match, then just walks away. Being a former WOR Director for Florida and knowing what is involved, I am confident Florida is in good hands with Michael and Chris.

Rob Mijares & Mark Maupin: These two guys do so much for Florida racquetball behind the scenes that people do not know about. They do this tirelessly and without hesitation. Players come to these tournaments and love the fact that everything is there for them. These things such as tables, coolers, chairs and tents don't just miraculously appear, they get brought to the tournament by these two guys.

Hale Sakoff: Also a former WOR Director. Even though he has stepped down from the administrative postition, his support for outdoor racquetball has not diminished. Because of Hale, Powerade is also a sponsor.

I know there must be a few people I have left out, it is not intentional. There were so many people that helped in getting this tournament all come together, Susan Suid, Tommy Ale, Brian Pineda and more.

All I can say is Thank You all for your help and support.

Angel,

Thanks for putting on a great event. Only YOU could pull this all together so smoothly and seemingly effortlessly. Congrats on another successful and memorable tournament.

See ya at the next one!