8th Annual Racquet for the Cure
Denver Athletic Club
by Linda Mojer

The 8th Annual Racquet for the Cure Benefit Tournament in the Mile-High City closed with another successful $5,000+ fundraiser and a renewal of commitment on the part of Colorado players, sponsors and volunteers. Rounding out a four-year stint as host, the Denver Athletic Club venue provided a perfect backdrop for the long-running event.

Earlier on, organizers had committed to making the Denver event a full Tier One stop on the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization circuit, and opening up amateur play to expanded divisions in men's singles and mixed doubles competition. For the first time, the RFTC tournament featured a top-16 draw of the finest pros in the world, along with a full complement of Colorado's own best male players.

Capping the all-day, women-only format on Saturday, the WPRO tour rounds concluded with an exciting straight game win by No.1 Rhonda Rajsich over No.7 Christie Van Hees, 11-9, 11-3, 11-8. But playing at altitude with the Ektelon Fireball resulted in longer-than-usual rallies and a frustration on the part of athletes who prefer to keep their shots low. Still, top-seeded Rajsich was able to advance through the draw with only a few early-match game losses before taking her second win of 2007.

Another special guest on the appearance docket was former U.S. National Team member and world title-holder Malia Bailey, whose own battle with breast cancer was fought just two years ago. During that time, her primary concern had been how to keep her unbroken career string of national titles intact. As the keynote speaker at the event banquet, she described her chemotherapy and surgery, and her remarkable comeback to maintain her winning streak. Her humor and devotion to the game she loves was inspirational and moving to the assembled players and guests.