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The Colorado Springs Open
From Spin Magazine, Vol. 1, No. 4, November 1983
Insook Bhushan Wins - Sports Center Stars
by Thomas Wintrich
COLORADO SPRINGS - Insook Bhushan had no problem winning the 1st Annual Seven-Up Table Tennis Open held in the Sports Center on the U.S. Olympic Training Center complex. She advanced through the draw undefeated, beating Bohdan Dawidowicz in the finals at 6, 7, and 11. She won by primarily playing offense, using a combination of slow loops and well placed hits. It was enjoyable to see her successfully play a different style.
With partner Bob Burke, she also won the Open Doubles. Burke and Bhushan defeated Kasia Dawidowicz and Howard Grossman three straight at 12, 18, and 18. Insook picked up $250 for her one-day, two-event tournament.
While Insook was certainly the best player of the competition, the real star of the event was the Sports Center itself. Quite simply, it provided the FINEST PLAYING CONDITIONS of any tournament in the U.S. USTTA members are advised to remember that because it is hoped that this tournament will become a national event.
Even, bright light is what impresses you upon first entering the gymnasium, which is comprised of three, full sized basketball courts. The lights shine down from 30 feet above and in conjunction with the skylights in the roof, the illumination is near perfect. Additional spotlights over center court make it perfect, especially for television.
Twelve ITTF approved Joola tables were set up on two of the basketball courts, with the third court occupied by one of the 1500-seat bleachers. The tables were enclosed with brand new Nittaku barriers, each court meeting ITTF size standards.
Eight of those tables were part of a donation from the West German manufacturer to the USTTA, for use in the National Sports Festival. The other four tables were given to the USTTA by Joola in exchange for advertising space in the national publication. The twelve Joolas are now the resident tables at the Olympic Training Center.
The custom made barriers were funded by Nittaku, for use in the National Sports Festival as well as other USTTA events held at the OTC. The USTTA is indebted to the two manufacturers for their generous support of the Association.
In addition to the superb playing conditions, the Sports Center also has complete locker room facilities for both men and women. Even a player hospitality room was available. And, just for a touch of class, the Miller High Life message board, diligently programmed by Brad Moss, was flashing announcements throughout the two day competition. Also, thanks to Sports Operations and the Food Serevice Director and staff, the players were allowed to purchase meals in the cafeteria directly opposite the playing site. Then too, the Miller High Life News Bureau staff, under the direction of Broun Mayall, handled the tournament press releases.
The tournament sponsor, Seven-Up Bottling Company of Colorado Springs, provided 15 cases of Seven-Up for the participants. They also gave each entrant a Seven-Up visor and two wrist bands. For the tournament itself, Seven-Up provided two eight foot banners, 300 posters, and even television air time in order to advertise the event. In addition they gave $300 toward the total prize money of $777. The Pikes Peak Y/USO Table Tennis Club, the USTTA, and tournament director, Bob Tretheway - who made all this happen - publicly thank Seven-Up and the OTC personnel who assisted with this competition. Special thanks go out to USTTA intern Joan Zishka for her valuable assistance at the control desk.
Given the circumstances, it is no surporise that the 72 entrants thoroughly enjoyed themselves. For their benefit, the tournament was liberally time scheduled, there was a preliminary round robin for U-1950 competition, there was a tournament party on Saturday night at the Finish Line Lounge across from the campus, and there was an awards ceremony on Sunday afternoon before the Open Singles final. Each day of competition was begun with the playing of the national anthem. Many of the players commented that they felt part of a special event conducted on their behalf.
As part of the tournament staff, I would like to thank the players for their participation and assure them that we plan more of the same in the future.
OPEN SINGLES - Fnl: Bhushan d. B. Dawidowicz 6, 7, 11; SF: Bhushan d. K. Dawidowicz 12, 7, 9; B. Dawidowicz d. Howard Grossman -17, 16, 15, 10; QTRS: Bhushan d. Lang Ho 8, 12, 10; B. Dawidowicz d. Paul Williams 15, 18, 14; Grossman d. Bob Fox 11, 8, -19, -16, 18; K. Dawidowicz d. Tom Wintrich 10, 13, 10.
U-2100 SNGLS - Fnl: Grossman d. Bob Burke 19, 18; SF: Grossman d. Williams 19,16; Burke d. Len Hauer 18,14; QTRS: Grossman d. Wintrich 19, 16; Burke d. Scott Preiss 18, 16; Hauer d. Al Martz -18, 16, 15; Williams d. Ho 19,19
U-1950 SNGLS - Fnl: Wintrich d. Ho 14, -21, -17, 12, 18; SF: Wintrich d. Martz 13, -22, 12; Ho d. Preiss 19,13; QTRS: Wintrich d. Steve Walker 5, 17; Martz d. Dave Edwards 16, -16, 15; Ho d. Fox 16, 19; Preiss d. Richard Tompson -19, 15, 19
C SNGLS - Fnl: Dennis Gresham d. Bill Roady 17, -21, -21, 8, 15; SF: D. Gresham d. Thavaj Ananthothai 19, 14; Roady d. Ron Heisterkamp 16, 11; QTRS: D. Gresham d. Bruce McLaine 19, 16; Ananthothai d. Toni Gresham 19, 14; Roady d. Bill Walsh 18, -13, 18; Heisterkamp d. Vic Smith 17, 18
D SNGLS - Fnl: Norm Silver d. Wes Wolfe 11, -21, 11, 14; SF: Silver d. Dave Hays 21, -19, 13; Wolfe d. Paul Christensen 15, 18; QTRS: Silver d. Karen Tompson 11, 6; Hays d. Walt Gomes 16, 19, 15; Christensen d. John Garnett 21, 20; Wolfe d. Roger Goelitz 18, -19, 16
E SNGLS - Fnl: Dean Herman d. Kari Herman 15, -14, -21, 21, 23; SF: D. Herman d. Dave Johnson 11, 13; K. Herman d. Carol Plato 17, -24, 19; QTRS: D. Herman d. Sheila Weissberg 17, -17, 12; Johnson d. Jin Roberts 16, 8; K. Herman d. Cheryl Garnett 15, 15; Plato d. Millie Drake 11, 20
SENIOR SNGLS - Fnl: Dennis Gresham d. Lang Ho 17, 20, 10; SF: D. Gresham d. Bill Roady 15, 22; Ho d. Len Hauer 6, 16; QTRS: D. Gresham d. Garnett 14, 18; Roady d. Alan Grambo 19, 20; Ho d. Norm Silver 11, 14; Hauer d. Vic Smith -20, 9, 12
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