The 17th-annual La Place Rendez-Vous squash tournament re-crowned two long-time champs last weekend.
Bob Shine (Thunder Bay) took his 10th ‘A’ title in men’s action while Mary Beth Tkachuk (Fort Frances), who was running between the squash tournament and the local ladies’ bonspiel, won her seventh ‘B’ crown on the women’s side.
“It’s a good social event every year,” said Shine. “We have special people who keep doing it year after year.
“With only two courts, [the tournament attracts] 60 to 70 players from across the region,” he added. “It runs about the same size as the tournaments in Thunder Bay.”
The tournament also saw junior squash players hit the courts, with Ross Kircher (Fort Frances) beating Joey Therault 3-0 in the final.
Some exciting matches were played over the weekend, said organizer Bob Tkachuk, noting some went the full five-game distance.
He also described the men’s’ ‘A’ final between Shine and Mark Norton as very tightly-played squash.
In other action, Dean Dubreuil of Kenora took the men’s ‘B’ title with a 3-1 victory in the final while Paddy Winters, also of Kenora, captured the men’s ‘C’ crown with a 3-0 sweep in the final.
The lone local winner among the men was Jason Sobkowiz, who prevailed in the ‘D’ final by a 3-1 score.
Timea Fleury of Fort Frances won the women’s ‘C’ title with a 3-1 win in the final.
Next up, some local players will travel to Thunder Bay for the Silver Fox over-35 tournament.
In related news, two local junior players, Megan Canfield and Steven Boileau, will travel to London for the Ontario Winter Games next month.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
