USATT LEAGUE of the Month - Sept/Oct 2006

California's Long Beach League

Winter league concludes, member of the year announced

By Christopher Karadjov

The Winter league concluded with a playoff round on March 18, a cheerful party and a ceremony honoring the club’s member of the year.

Harold Gomez won the playoffs in Division A (over 1950 rating), leaving Fernando Cordero in second place. This was his second win in a row in the top league bracket. “I am happy I won again, because I had some close games,” Gomez said. His record was 3-0, even though he entered the playoffs as the third-rated player in a very close field. The division started with six players, four of whom qualified for the playoffs.

Top-seeded Miguel Maghinay came on top in Division B (1700-1949) with a 3-0 record. Zhuangjie Li finished second, only losing 14-12 in the fifth game to Maghinay. This division started with 12 club league players. Maghinay redeemed himself after ending up second in a tie with Phuong Bui during last fall’s league.

 Kevin Quan won Division C (1550-1699), finishing on top in a field of 13 contesters, edging out Anthony Tong. Both had a 2-1 winning record and the playoff was decided by their head-to-head match, which had gone to Quan 3-0. “I love the league, I hope we can do this as long as possible,” Quan said.

Tony Guo won Division D (1400-1549), with Paul Do coming in second again, as he did in the fall. The division had 10 players at the start.

Wheelchair player Rick Kiessling carried the win in Division E (1200-1399), which had the most crowded field with 14 players. Vandy Tep got second place with the same record as Kiessling (2-1), but lost the head-to-head match, losing the fourth game 18-16. “This is my very first tournament win in this club, and all these guys are great players,” Kiessling said.

Division F (under 1200) presented probably the most interesting development, when a qualifying player did not show up for the playoffs (traveling for some training in China, no less!), and was replaced by the next qualifier, Harriet Quon, who proceeded to win the trophy. Second place was a three-way tie, with honors going to Jeff Curlee. This division had 13 league players.

Hiroshi Koshimoto was surprised at the traditional post-playoff party to learn that he was voted by the club’s board as the LBTTC 2006 Member of the Year. “I am shocked beyond belief, I did not expect it the least,” 77-year-old Koshimoto said.

LBTTC Spring League started on April 15. It features a new format with three-player teams and will go on for six weeks. The new format is experimental, and offers doubles games in addition to the individual play.

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