Saturday, December 31, 2011

Al Let it Be Scott and Dave down but not out Peters

Two fisting Dave "Al stay in the top left corner and I will cover the rest of the court"
(note Al following directions when picture taken)

Al Scott

File:GL087.jpg

11.     Tell us one thing about yourself that none of the Calcutta participants would already know?
About 10 years ago I beat Tyler Hamilton 3-0 and immediately stopped playing softball. I knew it was a signal from the Gods to switch to doubles.

12.     Who will give their partner the look more often – Gary Long or Ted Charuk or someone else (name that person)?
Charuk by a landslide !
 Dave Peters
1.  How do you think your team will do in this year’s Calcutta? Quarter finals - I do know that I will cover 1000 times more of the court than my partner.

 
2.  Who do you think will win it all? As much as I want to puke saying it, Donnelly and Barrett

3.  Who will get knocked out in the first round?  Rick New Jersey James and Paul the Giant Grootendorst

4.  What is our favourite vacation destination and why do you like it so much? BVI - great diving and naked boating

 
5.  Who is your favourite and least favourite hockey team and why?
LEAST FAV: HABS, FAV: ANY TEAM ON THE PLANET OTHER THAN THE HABS, INCLUDING TEAM TALIBAN
6.  If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you want to play the lead role? Tiger Woods - wait I want to play lead in his life story

 
7.  Pajamas, in the buff or something else? Whatever I am wearing when I pass out

 
8.  Number of girlfriends/boyfriends in your life:  < 10, <25 or more than 25 --
IF GIRLFRIEND = 2ND BASE THAN TBD. PS - DON’T TELL RHONDA
9.  If you could trade places with any other person for a week, famous or not famous, living or dead, real or fictional, with whom would it be? Hugh Hefner - enough said

 
10. If you could be a super hero what would you want your powers to be?

OMNIPOTENCE….LOOK IT UP (Dave a man has to know his limitations)
11. Tell us one thing about yourself that none of the Calcutta participants would already know? I use to arrive on time for squash matches

 
12.    Who will give their partner the look more often – Gary Long or Ted Charuk or someone else (name that person)?  Norm Crook will melt Herbivore's face off

1.     How do you think your team will do in this year’s Calcutta?
‘Finished 3rd last year….expect to be back in the prize money again with another great partner.
2. Who do you think will win it all? Bill Brock and Byron Goodwin
3.  Predict one team that will get knocked out in the first round?
‘No way I’m going to answer that…..it will start a curse like that of the Red Sox - oh you say Brent is a Red Sox fan - then I guess it will be Brent and Norm
4.  What is our favourite vacation destination and why do you like it so much?
Sarasota  Fla. location of the annual boys’ golf trip…

5.  Who is your favourite and least favourite hockey team and why?
I’m a reluctant Leafs fan….’can’t stand the Flyers

6.  If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you want to play the lead role?
Either Richard Gere (Al's a real gentleman) or , if he wasn’t available  Hollywood Tom Nederpel 
7. Pajamas, in the buff or something else? T-shirt and skivvies

8.  Number of girlfriends/boyfriends in your life:  < 10, <25 or more than 25
Hey…my wife might read this ! (26)

9. If you could trade places with any other person for a week, famous or not famous, living or dead, real or fictional, with whom would it be?
I’m thinking  Brad Pitt (great choice)

10.  If you could be a super hero what would you want your powers to be? Green Lantern so I could fly

Peter Lemieux and Tom Nederpel - top seeds


Tom Nederpel

Peter Lemieux

Peter Lemieux

1.     How do you think your team will do in this year’s Calcutta?  I recall last year at a -3 handicap and the grind it was getting to the Finals.  Much will depend on the draw & how many frame-winners I can stick in there.

2.     Who do you think will win it all?  That’s easy, the Super-Heavyweights – The Pirate & Never-Wong-Long!

3.     Predict one team that will get knocked out in the first round?  Abbott & Costello.  (Neil Cawse and John Bodnar)    

4.     What is your favourite vacation destination and why do you like it so much?  Florida.  Happy wife, happy life! ($99 out of Niagara Falls, New York makes her happy)

5.     Who is your favourite and least favourite hockey team and why?  I’m a bruised Leafs’ fan.  Least favorite, Les Habs! (and that is why I like Peter so much!)

6.     If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you want to play the lead role?  Gotta stay with domestic talent, eh!  Jim Carey…

7.     Pajamas, in the buff or something else?  Something else…

8.     Number of girlfriends/boyfriends in your life:  < 10, <25 or more than 25.  One only girlfriend, Cherry.
9.      If you could trade places with any other person for a week, famous or not famous, living or dead, real or fictional, with whom would it be?  Sheldon Reynolds during his time with EW&F.

10.   If you could be a super hero what would you want your powers to be?
Another homebrew hero, the mysterious powers of Austin Powers. (yeah baby)

11.   Tell us one thing about yourself that none of the Calcutta participants would already know?  My sincere admiration and respect! (WTF?)

12.    Who will give their partner the look more often – Gary Long or Ted Charuk or someone else (name that person)?  Tough-luv guy, it’s gotta be Never-Wong-Long…
Tom Nederpel

1.     How do you think your team will do in this year’s Calcutta?  Badly given the points we have to GIVE! (very humble)

2.     Who do you think will win it all?  Team 12 Billy Brock and Byron Goodwin

3.     Predict one team that will get knocked out in the first round?  Team 19 Al Scott and Dave Peters

4.     What is our favourite vacation destination and why do you like it so much?  Hilton Head – golf forever

5.     Who is your favourite and least favourite hockey team and why?  Habs & Leafs (Tom what's your address in Montreal?)

6.     If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you want to play the lead role?  Charlie Sheen (one bad ass in Platoon)

7.     Pajamas, in the buff or something else? Always buff

8.     Number of girlfriends/boyfriends in your life:  < 10, <25 or more than 25 -  a few
9.     If you could trade places with any other person for a week, famous or not famous, living or dead, real or fictional, with whom would it be?  John Glenn (is it just me or did Tom chose someone who looks a lot like himself?)
Tom "Glenn" Nederpel
Cape Canaveral


10.   If you could be a super hero what would you want your powers to be?  Nicks on every reverse

11.   Tell us one thing about yourself that none of the Calcutta participants would already know?  1st married @ 19

12.     Who will give their partner the look more often – Gary Long or Ted Charuk or someone else (name that person)?  Donnelly

Monday, January 24, 2011

It's a Wrap

Sunday's quarter finals started off bright and early at 9 a.m. with Ross and Peter taking on +5 Ted and John Rekrut.  The 3 game match went 2-1 in favour of Ross and Peter as Peter shot the lights out in the win.





Four fine looking gentlemen
 Quarter final 2 between giant killers Mike Donnelly and Brent Hurtubise against Norm Crook and Jeff Morton didn't go according to early predictions.  Brent fresh off the karaoke circuit (okay maybe not so fresh) played the dot in the I formation employed by his team.  Norm played almost flawlessly with only one error in the match and Morton hung in on the right wall cutting off Mike's attempted passes.  The lads got a little heated in this one but cooler heads prevailed.  Quite a learning lesson for sure - Crook and Morton win 2-0



Smiling faces (taken before the match)
 The third quarter final started late as John Bodnar struggled with reading the schedule and showed up 15 minutes late.  Bods shot the lights out but team errors caused Dean and John to lose two close games to Al Scott and Ivan Hunt. 
Convenor Nate "You know that Bodnar fellow looks pretty thin from behind"
The final quarter final saw Chris Barrett and Dave Peters take on Gord Dowbiggin and Gary Long.  The game featured long rallies and solid play out of both teams.  Gord and Gary won two long games for a 2-0 win.
Stand up straight Chris
Linesman Dave van Wely and Mike Donnelly
"A thankless job"
The first semi saw Norm and Jeff take on Peter and Ross.  This was a battle of keep away from the two shooters and one guy thinking he was a shooter when he, and everyone else, knew better.  Ross and Peter won the first game after erasing a 12-10 deficit.  Norm and Jeff came back to win the second game.  In the third game, trailing 14-13 a controversial let call had that key point replayed (well at least Norm and I thought it was controversial).  The next rally saw Mercury Morton move from the right wall to mid court as Norm went for a ball in the back right corner.  The next thing we knew the match was over as Norm's defensive shot hit me in the back of the head.  Spectators were heard to say that's  the only time Morton used his head all game."  Ross and Peter prevail 2-1

The second semi featured Gary Long and Gordo against Al Scott and Ivan Hunt.  This was a great match with Al's deft hands keeping the ball alive and Ivan cat like in the front.  Gord and Gary shot well and Gord hit the winning shot in the third game to win the match and send them into the finals.

The 3/4 game was dominated by Al and Ivan versus Norm and Jeff with a 2-0 win.  The crowd was okay that this match ended quickly as they were eager to see the final
Norm Crook, Al Scott, Ivan Hunt, Jeff Morton


The final team of Gary and Gord was owned by what I like to refer to as Team Idiot.    Clearly Team I are not that logical in their thinking.  Ross and Peter were owned by the 13 man group lead by bidders Morton and Bellm. 

The crowd was right into this one from the get go with Ross and Peter getting most of the support (except for the questionable let call in game one which resulted in them going down one game versus up one game).  Game two saw Ross and Peter overcome the 5 point spread by finally getting the lead late in game two to force a third and deciding game.  The boys got animated and there was a heated exchange between the left wallers - something about get the frick out of the way.  Congratulations must go out to Gord Dowbiggin and Gary Long for there 2-1 victory and title of first winners of the Burlington Fitness and Raquet Calcutta


The first look that Gord gave Gary in the match

Dean Lloyd (yes Dean was there in case you missed him) ended up winning the individual pool as he was the only person to pick Gary and Gord to win it all.  Congrats Dean - and thanks from all the guys in the bar for the jugs that you picked up.

Following is the full group shot taken at tourney end

Back Row (L to R)  Gord, Gary, Mike, Sully, Mark, Super Freak Rick, Gerald, John Graham, Ted, Al, Frank, Jeff, Ivan, Norm, Paul, John Rekrut, Chris, Rob, Ross
Front Row (L to R)  Peter Naughton, Dave, Brent, Nathan Drew Tourney Convenor, Dave Peters, Peter Lemieux, Richard


Presentations took place in the cafe shortly following the final match.  There was a lot of backslapping and tom foolery and believe it or not, real humility shown by both Gary and Gord (love ya guys).


Gord and Gary with Nate (Gary you can open your eyes now)



Runners up Peter and Ross with Nate and Brent looking on in bewilderment
Norm, Nate and Jeff and Brent wondering where it all went wrong
A big thanks to Nathan Drew for having the vision to try the Calcutta at our club. 

Thanks also to Cameron brewery out of Oakville for the samplers the night of the auction and the donation of the keg to winning team Gord and Gary.

Thanks also go out to Pat and Brad for really great food all weekend. 

And a final thank you to Pasword Protection for providing the balls and tee shirts for the tourney. 

Cheers - it's been fun!

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Saturday update

The feature match of the day betweeen Nate and Sully vs. Brent and Mike lived up to the crowd's expectations.  Brent and Mike came back from an 8-2 defecit in game one to win 15-12.  Game two looked like it might be a repeat as Sully and Nate got an 8-1 lead as Nate was shooting lights out.  The game also ended 15-12. 

Gary Long had predicted a 3 game match prior to the start.  Bedlam summed it up for his group - "This is a very important match."

In game 3 the lead see sawed back and forth.  Sully and Nate hit a bunch of winners - course they hit a bunch of tin too.  Tied at 14, Nate hit a power serve to Brent who took it off the back wall to go side wall -side wall and barely getting to the front wall where a lunging Nate was unable to get to the ball.  Final score 15-14 for Donnelly and Brent.

Ross and Peter then took on the twin towers.  Paul came out kind of nervous and the towers got blown out in the first game.  Midway thru the second it did not look good for the towers.  Rob's coaching seemed to really work and a much steadier Paul worked well with Rob's shot making to force a 3rd game.  Up 13-6 the towers looked like a lock to move on.  Peter then started shooting and Ross was getting everything.  A couple of unforced errors and Peter was serving at 14-14 for the match.  His lob serve handcuffed Paul and the comeback was complete 15-14 for Peter and Dancin man.

Chris and Dave then took on the top handicap team of beater boy Nick and Greg Rae.  Dave needs to get some girth like our friend Mr. Bodnar if he's going to continue to dive around like a madman. Chris and Dave won 2-0 -- we'll see if they have anything left for the Sunday matches

Norm Crook and yours truly then took on Peter Naughton and Mark Braden.  This was the first time I met Peter - ya gotta love a guy who has a Keith's as his pregame and mid game source of liquid.  A steady effort from Norm and I resulted in a 2-0 win.

The final match of the day saw Dave van Wely and his bad back team up with Gerald against everyone's favourite lawyer Ted Charuk and John Rekrut.  This match was very entertaining - lots of winners and lots of unforced errors.  The high handicap team ended up winning in the third game.

There was lots of discussion following the final match about some trades of teams.  Dave Peter's represented his group of misfits and clearly is not a math major.  Offered a chance to be guaranteed two semi final teams he got greedy and will have just one at the end of the day - too bad guys - clearly we thought you were brighter than that.

Sunday's matched start at 9 with the championship slated for 2:15
See ya at the courts.

Don't hit the back wall

Saturday, January 22, 2011

I can't see it

The linesman had an active role in the match between Frank Thomson and Rick James vs John Bodnar and Dean Lloyd.  Lets became no lets, no lets became lets - all very confusing.  John Bodnar came out shooting and hit 12 winners in the two game sweep of Rick the quick and Frank. 

Bedlam did comment on John's game after a great shot and then four bouncer to the front wall "It's the same guy." 

This twosome looks tough -we'll see what stamina Dean has tomorrow after his family reunion tonight.

Peter Lemieux the prognosticator picked this one correctly when he declared before the match "I can't see it" in response to my question whether Rick and Frank could win.  Yours truly felt it was going to be a close match

so long Super Freak

"It was a shit kicking"

Wednesday night doubles Commissioner summed it up succinctly when he proclaimed mid way thru game two "It's a shit kicking."  Gary Long and Gord Dowbiggin won two straight over Mark Litton and John Graham.  Mark and John were unable to apply consistent pressure to Gord and the five point deficit proved too much to overcome.  Gary and Gord both made lots of good shots with Gord's boast very successful

First match results

Al Scott and Ivan Hunt prevailed in a tight match 15-13 and 15-14 over the Good Ray and Byron Goodwin.  Al's lobs and ability to keep it in play and Ivan's winners proved to much for Ray and Byron.  IN the second game Ivan took over at 10-10 with some great winners.  Leading 13-11 in the second game, Ivan hit a couple of tin shots to give the serve back to Byron.  Tied at 13 Al used his frame to put his side up one.  Tied at 14 Ivan hit a passing winner to win the match

Friday, January 21, 2011

Bedlam

Richard


How appropriate is it that the last entrant to the BRFC Calcutta is Richard Bellm? (assuming Dave van Wely is injured and unable to play).  John Graham has appropriately nick named Richard as Bedlam.  Well the weekend is sure to be all of that and more

Good luck to all - I'll be there with my laptop to give up to date info -feel free to provide me some anecdotes

Monday, January 17, 2011

Mark Braden and Peter Naughton


Mark Movember Braden

Peter Naughton
Well what do you wants me to call him?





















Mark Braden Profile
How do you think your team will do in the Calcutta?  We'll be in top 8.  (game on as Mr Mark has to go thru me to get there - good luck pal)

What's your favourite sport?  Professional Women's  Beach Volleyball tour (gotta agree this is good entertainment)

What's your favourite golf hole?  #5 hole at the Diplomat in Hallandale Florida - my 2nd hole in one!  (18 hole mini putt course- #5 is the clown's head hole)

Where did you grow up?  The Hammer. 

Other than your wife, if you could have dinner with any female celebrity, who would you chose?  Pamela Anderson a good Canadian girl!

Who is the funniest person you know?  Sully - I find him very funny looking (Sully this is not an editor's note but I do tend to agree)

Peter Naughton Profile
How do you think your team will do in the Calcutta?  Shit
  
When and where did you start playing squash? on a squash court a long time ago

What's your favourite drink? Alcool - great for Purple Jesus

If you could see one group/musician in concert, who would it be?  Queen

Boxers or briefs? Boxers

Favourite sport? Soccer (poofter)

Favourite golf hole? nineteen

Where did you grow up? England

University/College/Neither Neither

Other than your wife, if you could have dinner with any female celebrity, who would you chose and why?  Christine Aguilera so we could get Dirty

What's your advice for anyone who faces you in the tourney? 
I'm one tough gazookas that hates all palookas that ain't on the up and square. I biffs 'em and buffs 'em and always out-roughs 'em and none of 'em gets nowhere. So keep good behavior, it's your one lifesaver, with Popeye the Sailor Man.  (I'll try and be good)




Saturday, January 15, 2011

Frank and Super Freak

Frank Cheers Thomson

Rick "the politician" James
















Frank Thomson Profile
How do you think your team will do in the Calcutta?
We will retire to Aruba on our winnings!!

When and where did you start playing squash?
A famous Scottish distillery in 1946

What's your favourite drink?
Alcohol

If you could see one group/musician in concert, who would it be?
John Wilkes Booth & The Pistol Packers (Frank you'll never drive a Lincoln)

Boxers or briefs?
Nada

Favourite sport?
Rough sex

Favourite golf hole?
The one closest to the “Porta John”. I have a weak bladder.

Where did you grow up?
Nunavut

University/College/Neither
The School of Hard Knocks

Other than your wife, if you could have dinner with any female celebrity, who would you chose and why?
Hillary Clinton. I hear she is needy! (who isn't)

Rick James Profile
I had a chance to catch up with Rick today - no wonder he ran for council - he was really deliberate on answering any of the questions.  I watched him play against Towel team and the boy has got some game.  If Frank plays ok, this team has got a shot.

Rick started playing doubles about 15 or 16 years ago and is quite accomplished (according to Rick).  He was ranked 12th in the world in mixed doubles just five years ago - a hell of an accomplishment - congratulations Rick.  I'll leave the rest of you to make the jokes

Favourite drink - some sort of gay martini (not that there is anything wrong with that)

Rick grew up up in Mississauga

If he could see one band in concert - Dave Matthews.

Let's enjoy a little Rick James and Eddie Murphy singing Party all the time

Ivan Hunt and Al Scott

Ivan the Terrible
(recently tracked in Ivan's family tree)


Al "hair coifed" Scott



















Ivan Hunt's profile (provided by Mike Donnelly)
How do you think your team will do in the Calcutta?   Based on what I have heard about my partner, I will be available to ref the quarter final, semi final or finals

When and where did you start playing squash?   My squash career started in the late 80’s at Kingston Penitentiary while doing time for being involved with a minor (I am still convinced he was older then he really was)

What's your favourite drink?   Anything liquid mixed with Rohypnol (love the dating scene)

If you could see one group/musician in concert, who would it be?  I am still a huge fan of when the Backstreet Boys first came out (looking to replace AJ Maclean when the Boys go out on tour)

Boxers or briefs?  Anything from Victoria Secret

Favourite sport?  Anything that deals with a handle and balls

Favourite golf hole?   Back 9

Where did you grow up?  Kingston

University/College/Neither  University of Kingston – Hard Knox

Other than your wife, if you could have dinner with any female celebrity, who would you chose and why?Macaulay Culkin

Al Scott Profile
Al how will your team do in the Calcutta?  Clearly the fix is in  -Nate how come we only got 4 points?  Really Nate where are your principals?

Al how many lets will there be in your matches?  On average about .44 lets per point

Al what's the secret to your success in the Wednesday night house league?  I hit it to where the opponents aren't

What's your favourite golf hole?  17th at Sawgrass (every man is an island)

Dinner companion - Cat woman



Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Long Paul Grootendorst

Paul Grootendorst



Paul the friendly Giant Grootendorst's Profile

How do you think your team will do in the Calcutta?
Not sure.  For some reason, we have to give a bunch of points away to the legends Peter Lemieux / Ross Vipond so we will need to get very lucky to win. (go get 'em Paul - you can do it!)

When and where did you start playing squash?
Embarrassed to say that I played my first game in 1987 at the University of Victoria.  Playing this long, you’d think I’d be good. (That comment is not an editor's note)

What's your favourite drink?
Tag 5 vodka + freshly squeezed orange juice

If you could see one group/musician in concert, who would it be?
Led Zeppelin (with Bonzo on drums)

Boxers or briefs?
Boxers

Favourite sport?
Aussie Rules Lawn Darts (Bet you did not know that on December 19, 1988, the Consumer Product Safety Commission banned lawn darts from sale in the United States due to their hazards as a flying projectile with a sharp metal point. - Paul you are such a rebel!)

Favourite golf hole?
#1 at Furry Creek, BC  (wow this is spectacular)

Where did you grow up?
Victoria BC

University/College/Neither
Victoria/Queens/McMaster

Other than your wife, if you could have dinner with any female celebrity, who would you chose and why? “having dinner” … so that’s what they’re calling it now!  Lindsey Vonn, because she’s an amazing skier.  (Nice ski outfit too!) 
Shortly after, in 1989, they were also banned in Canada