4 Wall Singles Results

Results from the State Singles - submitted by Bob Plater.

MHA State 4-Wall Singles Tournament
Genesys Athletic Club, Grand Blanc, Michigan, April 10, 2010

4-Wall State Singles Champions for 2010:

EVENT - CHAMPION
Open - Pete Hanover -- Lansing
Golden Masters - Ed Kukla -- Ann Arbor
Super Masters - Rick Graham -- Ann Arbor
Diamond Masters - Norm Young -- Lansing
"B" - Duane Costanza -- Flint
"C" - Lanny Green -- Ann Arbor


All of the 31 players, who participated in six divisions, are grateful to the Genesys Athletic Club management and members for their enthusiastic hospitality while lending their outstanding facility to us for our major, 4-wall singles, handball tournament. Great handball, great food, great time! Also, thanks to the Flint players, headed by Pat Myers, with help from Charlie Doyle and Art Pruitt (good to see you Art) for running this tournament so well.
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The Open: Pete Hanover continued his march to Michigan handball greatness by making the open singles finals for the eighth consecutive year, winning for the fourth time, defeating Pat Myers in the championship match, 8,8. No other player in Michigan history has made the open finals eight consecutive years.

Quarter Finals: Matthew Paul (Ann Arbor) d. Alex Bieri (Detroit), 18,15; Pat Myers (Flint) d. Ted Grammatico (Ann Arbor) 6,8.
Semi Finals: Pete Hanover (Lansing) d. Paul 7,2; Myers d. Pat Oliver (Detroit) 20,5.
Finals: Hanover d. Myers 8,8.
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The following players have won the State, 4-wall, open singles title, four or more times:
Pete Brown (12), John Scopis (11), Ken Crespi (8), Paul Merlo (6), Lou Zerbo (5), Pete Hanover (4).
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Golden Masters (50+): Ed Kulka, from Ann Arbor, after a narrow first-round victory (11-9 tie-breaker) over Joe Ivy (Detroit), continued with wider-margin victories over the always dangerous Dan Costello (Detroit) and former winner from Saginaw, Jim LaFleur, in the finals. Ed's game was outstanding.

Quarter Finals: Jim LaFleur (Saginaw) d.Paul Straetmans (Detroit) 20,19; Duane Costanzo (Flint) d. Ed Green (Detroit) (15),16,4; Dan Costello (Detroit) d. Mark Casey (Detroit) 17,9; Ed Kulka (Ann Arbor) d. Joe Ivy (Detroit) 17,(19),9.
Semi Finals: LaFleur d. Costanzo 13,5; Kulka d. Costello.
Finals: Kulka d. LaFleur 9,6.
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Super Masters (60+): Four competitors decided on a one-game to 31, round robin format for all matches. Rick Graham of Ann Arbor, once again proved his toughness and skillfulness with 31-19 victories over Carl Valentino (Lansing) and Larry Price (Ann Arbor). Awesome! Keith Thode (Detroit) rounded out the foursome.

..
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Diamond Masters (70+): Norm Young (Lansing), just too good to be in this division, making great serves and only one unforced error, came out on top in a round-robin format, winning both of his matches over David Dodds (Flint) 2nd, and Bob Plater (Detroit).


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"B": Duane Costanzo an underrated player from Flint, participated in two events, winning this one by default (unfortunately) when his finals oppponent, Clark Forward, (who had beaten two opponents to get to the finals) chose not to play the championship match.

Quarter Finals: Chris Kirby d. Joe Green (Detroit) 7,7; Clark Forward (Lansing) d. Anthony Guarnaccia 9,7.
Semi Finals: Costanzo d. Kirby; Forward d. Dale Chimenti (Detroit).
Finals: Costanzo d. Forward default

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"C": Lanny Green, with only one year of experience, beat out this young and/or speedy group of seven, winning the "C" title.

Quarter Finals: Lauren Hale d. Alissa Crawford; Lanny Green d. Lauren Hale; Mike MacDonald (Livonia) d. Alissa Crawford
Semi Finals: Joe Green d. Lauren Hale 5,3; Lanny Green d. Mike MacDonald 16,5.
Finals: Lanny Green d. Joe Green.

Submitted by Bob Plater.