This weekend, Aug. 29-30, is the August Open at the Westchester Table Tennis Center. Nowadays about three-quarters of the players at our tournaments sign up at the door(!), so we don't know yet who's coming -- but it should be a good one. Last month was our second-largest tournament ever.
Special events this month include Handicap and U3500 Doubles. This time we've tweaked the rules for the Handicap event. The higher-rated player will be handicapped by 1 point for every 100-point (not 75-point) advantage over the lower-rated player -- with a maximum of 8 points (not 7 points) per game. We'll see how that affects the results. Neither the Handicap event nor Doubles affects USATT ratings.
As usual, there are 18 events altogether, with more than $5,000 in cash prizes. Cash is awarded in every event.
The full list of events with the schedule appears below. First-time players are welcome. Sign-up can be done at the door.
Spectators are free on Saturday; on Sunday the cost is $10 to watch (free for child with paying adult).
The registration form appears here.
While I'm writing, a few more quick things:
• North America Championships Next weekend, Sept. 5-7, the Westchester TTC will host the 5-star, ITTF-sanctioned North America Championships. The top players from the U.S. and Canada, eight men and eight women from each country, will compete for $8,000 in prizes and a chance to represent North America at the next World Championships. Juniors and cadets will also compete. Play will go from morning till evening on all three days. Spectator tickets are $15/day, or $25/three-day pass. A child is free with a paid adult. • There will be a welcome party and barbecue Friday night, Sept. 4, from 5-9 pm. Come and meet the players. Tickets are $25, with unlimited food and drink. • We still need a few more helpers for ticket sellers and airport greeters. If you're willing and able, let me know. Anyone helping will get a free pass all weekend.
• Fall Table Tennis Training Registration is now open for fall training for kids. Rawle will conduct sessions on Monday and Wednesday, 4:30-6:00 pm, and Saturday 10:00 am-Noon. Advanced training is Saturday Noon-2:00 pm. The registration form is at the club.
• 50+ Thursdays Daytime table tennis is back, with the help of Dennis Yee. The club will open from 10 am-3 pm every Thursday. Cost: $5/nonmembers, free for members.
• League Night The last League Night of the summer will be this Thursday, Aug. 27. Next Thursday the club will close around 9 pm so we can set up for the NA Championships. The Fall League Night, using the previous format of two-person teams, will start on Thursday, Sept. 10.
175 Tompkins Ave, Pleasantville, NY 10570
(914) 741-0738
(914) 741-0738
Saturday, Aug. 29
10:00 am Under 1000, U1600
11:00 am 14 Years & Under, 40 Years & Over
12:00 pm U1450, U2000
1:00 pm Handicap
2:00 pm U1150, U1750
3:00 pm U3500 Doubles
Sunday, Aug. 30
10:00 am U1900, U2500
12:00 pm U2200
2:00 pm U2050, Open
3:30 pm U2350
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