Florida Tournament and Club News

PENSACOLA TOURNAMENT IS FULL FOR JUNE 6TH

L.A. Johnston, from the Pensacola Table Tennis Club, has announced that the Pensacola's 16th Annual Summer Open is now full. This great tournament has a strong group of players from Florida, Georgia and Mississippi. Prize money is offered in all classes, except for Hardbat, which has trophies available. For more information about the Pensacola Club and their great tournaments, you can visit their website:  PENSACOLA TT WEBSITE

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TABLE TENNIS GROWING ON EAST COAST OF FLORIDA

Bill Mitcheson, from the SpaceCoast area of Florida is reporting record attendance at the local clubs in that beautiful and fun section of the Sunshine State. Table Tennis sessions are drawing huge crowds, requiring extra tables and some wait time for players. Mitcheson also reports that there is a possibility for a growing new Table Tennis club in Melbourne, Florida. The added club will be great as it will present four quality locations for Table Tennis in the area. Discussions are underway to possibly rename some of the clubs in the area, with nothing final as of this report. There appears to be a bright future for Table Tennis all along the great East Coast of Florida--Exciting Times!!!

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FLORIDA SUNSHINE STATE GAMES

DEADLINE LOOMS TO ENTER

There is still time to register for the 15 events offered at the Florida Sunshine State Games, which will be held in Lakeland, Florida on June 20-21, 2015. Players are expected from all over the state to compete in the various rated events. In addition to the USATT sanctioned events, Sandpaper Events and Super Big Ball Events will be available. All events are fully sanctioned. All age groups and skill areas are invited to attend. The Florida Sunshine State Games is the longest active State Games in the United States, with thousands of athletes competing in numerous sports. Table Tennis was added back to the list of sports several years ago, after being eliminated due to lack of attendance. Please help support Table Tennis in Florida by registering for as many events as you qualify.

For complete information about Table Tennis at the Sunshine State Games, visit the website:

CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION

Central Florida Sports Promotes Table Tennis

PROMOTING TABLE TENNIS IN FLORIDA

The Central Florida Sports Organization promotes all sorts of sporting events that are held in the Central part of the state. We are glad they decided to give some recognition to Table Tennis. Here is one of their videos about Table Tennis activities in Central Florida.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE TABLE TENNIS VIDEO

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FLORIDA SPORTS FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES DEADLINE

FOR SUNSHINE STATE GAMES-TABLE TENNIS

The Florida Sports Foundation has set June 7, 2015 as the deadline to enter the popular Sunshine State Games for Table Tennis Championship of Florida. This major USATT sanctioned event will be held on two days, June 20-21, 2015 in Lakeland, Florida. A wide variety of events will be available for all levels of play. Players can register for events on both days or on just one of two days (Saturday & Sunday). Players are urged to enter multiple events for which they qualify based on their USATT rating. 

For complete details and to learn how to Register On-Line, click on the link below:

SUNSHINE STATE GAMES-TABLE TENNIS INFORMATION

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COCOA BEACH HAVING RECORD NUMBER OF PLAYERS

Bill Mitcheson from The Cocoa Beach Table Tennis Club is excited about the record number of players attending the sessions at their great club. Arrangements are being made to add more tables to limit the wait time and provide more availability for the increasing number of players. Mitcheson also reports that all the equipment is now in place to fully implement the new Super Big Ball (44 mm) sport at the Cocoa Beach Club. The new sport for the USA has already held two official sanctioned tournaments and five more have already been scheduled for the rest of this year. All local clubs can sponsor and conduct SBBTTA sanctioned tournaments at no cost. 

Congratulations go out to all the fine players on the great East Coast of Florida for promoting Table Tennis in their fabulous area!

New Poly Balls Meet With Approval by Players/Other News

NEW POLY BALLS APPROVED BY PLAYERS AT TOURNAMENT

As most players are now aware, a shift has been made from the old celluloid table tennis balls to the new poly balls. Change is often met with resistance, due mostly to the unknown and the desire for the status quo. Players were rightfully concerned when this new ball was forced on the tournament level players. The early production balls from several prominent table tennis suppliers were terrible. The breakage rate and the actual way the ball bounced and played off the surface of many types of rubber was not well received at all. Many of the new poly balls, especially the ones with seams, were just not acceptable and complaints were heard from most players who had to endure a tournament with the inferior balls. Some players said they were much like the old 10 cents balls that came out of a ball dispensing machine at a recreation center.

In light of the above, several table tennis clubs experimented with various poly balls and it appears that there has been a measure of success with at least one brand in particular. The new Nexy 3 Star Poly 40+ Table Tennis Ball came through the recent tournament in Lakeland, Florida with flying colors.  The breakage rate was much lower than expected and was even less than the old style celluloid balls. Most of the players seemed to adjust to the new seamless ball and by the end of the tournament day, there were very few complaints and mostly compliments. The new seamless Nexy Ball is an overall success for tournament level play. The chances are that other manufacturers will improve upon the balls they currently have available, some of which are still not acceptable, with uneven seams and a high breakage rate.

As more and more players adjust to the new balls, the old celluloid balls will go the way of the 38 mm balls, which even now are only distant memories for some. Long live Table Tennis!

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COCOA BEACH TABLE TENNIS CLUB TO TRY 44 MM SUPER BIG BALL TT

Bill Mitcheson from the Cocoa Beach Table Tennis Club has announced that he intends to give the Super Big Ball Table Tennis (44 mm size balls) a try at their club in Cocoa Beach, Florida. The sport is relatively new to the USA, with only two official SBBTTA sanctioned tournaments held so far in our country. The super big ball sport is wildly popular in Japan and is growing in popularity in Europe, especially in Germany. Hopefully, events will soon be offered in various tournaments around the USA. A new website for SBBTTA has already been set up for the USA with ratings and rules posted for this exciting new sport.  There are already five additional big ball tournaments scheduled for 2015 with one being at the upcoming Florida Sunshine State Games in June. For more information about Super Big Ball Table Tennis, you can visit the new website to view the USA Rating Leaders and the rules and other information:

SUPER BIG BALL TABLE TENNIS WEBSITE

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FLORIDA SUNSHINE STATE GAMES-TABLE TENNIS

STATE-WIDE FLORIDA CHAMPIONSHIP

Registration is now underway for the State Sponsored Florida Sunshine State Games--Table Tennis which is scheduled for June 20-21, 2015 (Saturday and Sunday). Players can enter events on both days or just one of the two days. This is a USATT sanctioned tournament with 24 Butterfly Tournament Tables available for the competition. Players from all over Florida, with different skill levels are expected to attend. All ages and all skill levels are welcome to this exciting two day event. The new Poly 40+ ball will be used (white) in this tournament. The tournament is sponsored by the Florida Sports Foundation and is hosted by the Lakeland Table Tennis Association. The tournament will be held at the Simpson Park Community Center in Lakeland, Florida.

For more information and on-line registration, please go to the following link:

FLORIDA SUNSHINE STATE GAMES 2015-TABLE TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP

Two Upcoming Tournaments In Florida Drawing Attention

TWO MAJOR USATT SANCTIONED TOURNAMENTS COMING TO FLORIDA

Florida will be the host of two major USATT sanctioned Table Tennis Tournaments in June of 2015. Both of these events provide an opportunity for players to participate for fun and prizes. Registration is now open for both of these tournaments. The great Panhandle of Florida is the home for the first tournament, sponsored by the Pensacola Table Tennis Club. This is the 16th Annual Summer Open for the great Pensacola Table Tennis Club.  L.A. Johnston, from the local club is expecting a large turnout for this popular event in the Sunshine State. 

You can obtain information and register for the tournament at the following website:

PENSACOLA 16TH ANNUAL SUMMER OPEN-JUNE 6, 2015

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The second major USATT sanctioned Table Tennis Tournament will be held in Lakeland, Florida on June 20-21, 2015. This state-wide championship will bring players from all over Florida to participate in the Gold, Silver and Bronze Medal Winners in all the various classes and events. This tournament is sponsored by The Florida Sports Foundation and is hosted by the Lakeland Table Tennis Association in beautiful Lakeland, Florida. The information about this great tournament can be found below:

FLORIDA SUNSHINE STATE GAMES
STATE-WIDE CHAMPIONSHIP
TABLE TENNIS
USATT SANCTIONED EVENT
ALL AGES--ALL SKILL LEVELS
LAKELAND, FLORIDADates: June 20-21, 2015
Location:  Simpson Park Community Center
1725 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, Lakeland, Florida 33805
Entry Fee:  Entry fee is $13 for the 1st event and $8 for each additional event.
Events will be rated with results sent to USATT.
A $7 USATT rating fee is due on-site, payable to LTTA.
Do not include rating fee in entry fee.ENTER AS MANY EVENTS AS YOU QUALIFY FOR, NOT JUST ONE!
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ON-LINE

REGISTER BEFORE THE DEADLINE!!!

TABLE TENNIS

EVENTS / EVENT CODES

Sandpaper RR Singles 040TTM01

Under 1200 RR Singles 040TTM02

Under 1325 RR Singles 040TTM03

Under 1450 RR Singles 040TTM04

Under 1575 RR Singles 040TTM05

Under 1700 RR Singles 040TTM06

Under 1800 RR Singles 040TTM07

Under 1875 RR Singles 040TTM08

Under 2000 RR Singles 040TTM09

Under 2100 RR Singles 040TTM10

Under 2200 RR Singles 040TTM11

Under 2300 RR Singles 040TTM12

Under 2500 RR Singles 040TTM13

Open RR Singles 040TTM14

Super Big Ball 44mm RR Singles

DATES

Saturday, June 20 – Sunday, June 21

Saturday

9 a.m. Under 1325 RR Singles

10 a.m. Under 2100 RR Singles

10 a.m. Sandpaper RR Singles

11:30 a.m. Under 1700 RR Singles

1 p.m. Under 2500 RR Singles

2:30 p.m. Under 1875 RR Singles

4 p.m. Under 1450 RR Singles

5:30 p.m. Under 2200 RR Singles

Sunday

9 a.m. Under 1800 RR Singles

10:30 a.m. Open RR Singles

Noon Under 2000 RR Singles

Noon Under 1200 RR Singles

1:30 p.m. Under 1575 RR Singles

3 p.m. Under 2300 RR Singles

3 p.m. Super Big Ball 44 mm RR Singles

FOR COMPLETE DETAILS ABOUT TABLE TENNIS EVENT:
CLICK HERE
IF YOU HAVE ANY TROUBLE REGISTERING ONLINE,PLEASE CALL 1-866-354-2637 FOR ASSISTANCE


PLEASE HELP SUPPORT TABLE TENNIS IN FLORIDA
BY ENTERING AS MANY EVENTS AS POSSIBLE 
ON BOTH SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.
REMEMBER-YOU CAN ENTER MULTIPLE EVENTS
FOR WHICH YOU QUALIFY!!!

110 PARTICIPANTS AT MAY 2015 LAKELAND TOURNAMENT-RESULTS AND COMMENTS

HUGE TURNOUT FOR LAKELAND TABLE TENNIS TOURNAMENT ON MAY 1-2, 2015

Super Big Ball (44 mm Event) Official Sanctioned SBBTTA Event

Brad Woodington, Tournament Director for Lakeland Table Tennis Association was thrilled with the large number of participants in the recent Florida Orange Blossom Table Tennis Tournament-Spring Classic 2015, held in beautiful Polk County in Lakeland, Florida. Woodington was very impressed with the huge number of players in the new Super Big Ball (44 mm Event). Eleven players registered for this spectacular event with 4 Trophies and a $50 cash prize going to the winners. Players from England and Connecticut along with several Florida players entered this new event.  

Keith Yarnley, a high level player from England won the event by defeating Florida player, Patrick Lui in the finals by the score of 11-6, 11-6.  Patrick Lui finished second and Victor Marik finished third with Jim Weisbecker from The Villages, Florida finishing 4th. The 44 mm ball and the added height of the net by 2 cm proved to be an interesting component for this new event, which is gaining support and interest in the USA.

USSTTA Spring Championship Event

The Untied States Sandpaper Table Tennis Association sanctioned another thrilling tournament in Lakeland, Florida with players flying in from Connecticut and England to participate in the event. The sandpaper event was won by Keith Yarnley from England and second place went to Art Dubow, a terrific sandpaper player from Stamford, Connecticut. Yarnley won the hard fought final match by scores of 21-16, -16, 21 and the final game at 21-16. Yarnley is one of the top sandpaper players in the world and Dubow put up a strong challenge. Dubow plays at the famous Westminster Table Tennis Club in New York City. Third place was won by Victor Marik from Florida and fourth place went to Allison Yarnley, also from England.

Florida Orange Blossom Spring Series Colossal Round Robin Event

There were 89 players who registered for the Colossal Round Robin Event held in Lakeland, Florida. Eight classes of competition were held with many close and interesting matches throughout the day. Many of the very best players from Florida were in attendance, and the tournament officials were excited to see 19 Junior players in attendance and a number of players who have never attended a sanctioned table tennis event. 

The Championship Class was won by one of the top players from Florida, Vinay Desai. Desai won all ten of his matches to claim the $500 cash prize and the Championship Trophy. Kit Jeerapaet from Tampa, Florida lost only one match, to Desai, to claim the 2nd place Trophy and $150 prize.
Sutanit Tangyingyong finished in third, followed by Robert Carra in fourth place.  
In the Elite Class, Yelena Sokolova won first place, followed by Edis Osmanagic, Phil Desai and Zach Robertson. 
In the Masters Class, Mark Masters won the 1st place Trophy, followed by Peter Wu, Stewart Higgins and William Maisonet.  
In the Expert Class, Justin Betz had plenty of upset wins to win First Place, followed by Donovan Graham, Thomas Sheppard and Igor Bubis.  
In the Advanced Class, Michael Daugherty won First Place, followed by John Doelman, Ed Foster and Andrew Folsom.  
In the Prestige Class, David Miller from Lakeland, Florida won the class with several hard fought matches. Shaman Marlin finished in Second Place, followed by Bruce Hertel and Jeff Steele.  
In the Challenger Class, Adopho Pinto finished undefeated to win First Place, followed by Keith Hanley from Clearwater, Florida, Christopher Mar and Phillip Simmons from The Villages, Florida.  
In the Competitor Class, Joel Perry was the victor, followed by Anita Lam, Rami Salem and Ryan Fink.

Tournament officials were very pleased with the excellent attendance and the growing interest in Table Tennis in the central part of the Sunshine State. Lakeland Table Tennis Association holds sanctioned tournaments throughout the year in beautiful Lakeland, Florida. You can find out more information at their website: http://floridatt.com/lakelandtt