Tenth Anniversary Denver Founding Event
Highlands Ranch Northridge Recreation Center
by Linda Mojer

2009 Tenth Anniversary Denver RFTC organizers deliver proceeds to Komen officials. L-R: Jo Shattuck (foreground), Pat Reed, Marcia Richards, Michelle Ostrander (w/check), Linda Mojer, Jill Adams and Sabrina Wright-Hobart (foreground).  [ larger view ]

After squaring up all the bills and accounting, Racquet for the Cure organizers were pleased to deliver a $12,500 donation to the Denver affiliate of Komen for the Cure - which also exceeded their $50,000 cumulative gift goal for a decade of support.

Despite trying economic times, 84 players took part in this year's special event, and two local donors once again gave generous gifts to support the fundraising effort. Thanks to Kathy Martinez and Lucy Jirik, RFTC was able to surprise the local affiliate with a check that was nearly twice as large as the previous year.

Earlier in the season, several events had also pledged their proceeds to Denver's anniversary effort, including Pueblo's long-running annual Cinco De Mayo tournament hosted by Deb Beaudry, a Richey Racquet Club fundraiser organized by Kim Roy in Florida, and a renewed special gift from the annual Women's Senior/Master Racquetball Association National Championship, held in California.

As always, a dedicated volunteer corps pulled together to guarantee a successful event, and long-time event supporters gave generously of their time, talent and cash for the cause. Thanks to ongoing programs and development by Deb Beldring and Cindy Tilbury, this year also marked a major influx of new women players - with novices and beginners outnumbering the veterans by a substantial margin!

In preparation for the event, Jo Shattuck went above-and-beyond (as usual) in promoting the event with creativity and flair. Just weeks before the event, she offered free instruction to staffers from the Denver affiliate Komen for the Cure offices, and trained a foursome of new players. Executive Director Michelle Ostrander, Jill Adams, Sabrina Wright-Hobart and Pat Reed all took part in "rookie" divisions and came away from the event with a brand new sport (see below).

Jo Shattuck, the number nine ranked women’s racquetball player in the world and a local organizer for Racquet for the Cure offered lessons – providing the staff would participate in the Racquet for the Cure tournament.

They readily accepted the challenge and began in earnest to learn the game! The tournament quickly approached and Jill Adams, Michelle Ostrander, Pat Reed and Sabrina Wright-Hobart all donned pink shirts and gave it their all. Unfortunately, no trophies were brought home, but raising money has never been so much fun! Note by Michelle Ostrander | Pictured: Pat Reed

On site, Shattuck accepted a Saturday afternoon challenge by local "Jock of All Trades" Nick Mystrom, who took a quick tour of the court (above).

FORMAT & PREVIEW
Men's Singles & Mixed Doubles
Colorado Men! For a benefit donation, you'll be able to play a sanctioned singles shootout on Friday night (with the possibility of later finals), plus have a chance to pair up with your favorite partner for mixed doubles play.

Both evening benefits will begin at 5:00 (until ?), and entries will be "first come-first served" to maximums. Doubles will be limited to the first 14 teams to enter.

Women's Only Saturday ...
Colorado Women! Your amateur entry will include all-day Saturday team play, plus ... a souvenir t-shirt on check-in, all day hospitality (snacks, beverages, breakfast, lunch & dinner), non-stop competition, coaching, clinics and instruction, party, awards, guest speakers, plus the feel-good knowledge that your racquet IS at work "for the cure."

Format: Women enter one skill division and are randomly assigned to a team that will compete by division for point earnings. In satellite draws that go all day, points are earned for every match played.
Doubles: Open/A and B/C players will be paired for doubles, and earn team points.
Officiating: All matches are self-officiated.
Schedule: The single-day format is based on the total number of entries, so matches may begin as early as 7:00 am on Saturday. The schedule can't accomodate conflicts, so be prepared to play all day (through 6:00 pm) and then attend the Award Party and prize-drawing. It's a non-stop, full day of fun racquetball for women only!

Annual Celebration ... At the closing party, players select from a wide range of donated merchandise and services like: racquets, bags, gloves, clothing, accessories, hotel and spa packages, plus much, much MORE!