Florida National Senior Champions and Florida Table Tennis News

FLORIDA SENIORS WIN BIG AT NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT!

Senior Table Tennis players (Age 50 and above) made a tremendous showing at the National Senior Games recently held in Minnesota. Table Tennis players from all over the USA gathered to compete for the medals. Some of the very best senior players were in attendance and our Florida players were sterling!

Our Florida Seniors won 7 GOLD MEDALS, 3 SILVER MEDALS and 9 BRONZE MEDALS in the various Table Tennis Events. Many of the matches were hard fought and there were plenty of upsets in favor of our Florida Seniors. Florida has one of the strongest group of Senior Table Tennis players in the nation. Each year Seniors from all over the state of  Florida participate in local Senior Games in Table Tennis and other sports. The number of players in Table Tennis continues to improve each year with more players in just about all the age categories. Seniors in Florida take Table Tennis seriously, with hours of practice and training leading up to the local tournaments and especially the Florida Senior State Championships for Table Tennis held in December of each year. 

Below is a list of the great CHAMPIONS from Florida in the National Senior Games for Table Tennis. We are proud of each and every one of them for their commitment to excellence in our sport and the fine way they represented the Sunshine State!!!  CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

 Table Tennis – 19 total medals (7 gold, 3 silver, 9 bronze)

Women’s Singles

55-59

2. Patricia Benitez, Kissimmee

65-69

3. Joan Ruggiero, Jacksonville

75-79

1. Danuta Andrzejewska, Pembroke Pines

80-84

3. Essie Faria, North Miami

Men’s Singles

65-69

1. Lubomir Valek, Pompano Beach

75-79

1. Martin Sundel, Cooper City

80-84

3. Jim Weisbecker, The Villages

Women’s Doubles

65-69

2. Joan Ruggiero, Jacksonville & Mardee Goldberg, The Villages

75-79

1. Suzanna Sanders, Pembroke Pines & Danuta Andrzejewska, Pembroke Pines

80-84

1. Essie Faria, North Miami & Phyllis Hughes

Men’s Doubles

50-54

3. Winston Dowridge, Jacksonville & Garth Jordan, Tampa

60-64

1. Lubomir Valek, Pompano Beach & Ladislav Sranko

Mixed Doubles

50-54

3. Joan Ruggiero, Jacksonville & Garth Jordan, Tampa

75-79

3. Essie Faria, North Miami & Martin Sundel, Cooper City

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LAKELAND TABLE TENNIS ANNOUNCES NEXT TOURNAMENT

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN-$2000.00 PRIZE MONEY!!!

The Lakeland Table Tennis Association has announced the opening of REGISTRATION for the next USATT sanctioned Table Tennis Tournament in Lakeland, Florida. The Florida Orange Blossom Series Summer Classic 2015 will be held on August 14-15, 2015 at the Simpson Park Community Center. Players from all over the state of Florida and several other states are anticipated to enter this major USATT tournament. A maximum of 121 players can enter the wildly popular Colossal Round Robin Event on Saturday, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Players are grouped into a maximum of 11, based on their USATT rating or estimated rating. All players in the group will play each other during the day in a hard fought and competitive event. The top four players in each of the possible 11 groups will receive trophies and/or cash prizes, based on their playing record for the day. Up to 24 high quality Butterfly Tables will be available for the stiff competition.

In addition to the Colossal Round Robin Singles held on Saturday, the Friday night events feature the thrilling new sport in the USA of SUPER BIG BALL TABLE TENNIS. This great event is fully sanctioned by the SBBTTA and features the huge 44mm ball and an increased net height. It is a great sport and is growing in popularity in the USA. It is already popular in Japan and growing in support in Germany and other European nations. There is a $50 Cash Prize for first place in this event and trophies for the top four winners. You can visit the SUPER BIG BALL WEBSITE for more information. Paddles are provided for all players who do not have their own. The cost of this event is ONLY $3.00, so come out and have some fun!

The USSTTA (United States Sandpaper Table Tennis Association) is also sanctioned a great Sandpaper Table Tennis Event on Friday night. This is a high skill event which removes the high spin and special rubbers from the game of Table Tennis and relies more on the actual skills of the players. Sandpaper Table Tennis is played to 21 points with players alternating serves at intervals of five, instead of two. Sandpaper paddles are available for any players who do not have one at the tournament. You can find out more about Sandpaper Table Tennis by visiting the USSATT Website.

It is very easy to REGISTER for any or all events at the Lakeland Tournament. Just click on the link below to find out information and to REGISTER ONLINE.

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FLORIDA LOCAL SENIOR GAMES-TABLE TENNIS

If you are age 50 or above, now is your chance to become involved in a great Table Tennis opportunity. Each year Florida has almost 20 local Senior Games in Table Tennis across the state. There are age brackets beginning at 50 and going up for both men and women singles, men's doubles, women's doubles and mixed doubles. It is a great chance to travel around the state and enjoy all the local attractions and play Table Tennis. Many seniors do just that! They plan a day trip or a weekend trip for a mini-vacation and enjoy playing table tennis while traveling. It is a fun trip and great exercise for our Seniors.

There are still 10 Local Senior Events for Table Tennis left this year in Florida, and of course the Florida Senior Games Championship in December of this year. Players who finish in the TOP 5 places in the local senior games qualify for the State Championship in Table Tennis. 

Listed below are the 10 available Local Senior Games for Table Tennis in Florida. Sign up for one or all of them and have some great fun as you travel around the Sunshine State!

SUGGESTION: USE THE PHONE NUMBERS LISTED BELOW TO OBTAIN INFORMATION

Pensacola Senior GamesSeptember 7- September 20, 2015
Cheryl Fox
3200 East Lakeview Ave
Pensacola, FL 32503
Ph: (850) 426-2562
cfox@cityofpensacola.com
LeagueLineUp.com/PensacolaSeniorGames

Palm Coast & the Flagler Beaches Senior Games
September 12-19, 2015
Roxana Gonzalez
305 Palm Coast Parkway NE
Palm Coast, FL 32137
Ph: (386) 986-2323
rgonzalez@palmcoastgov.com
www.palmcoastgov.com

Tampa Bay Senior Games
September 28- October 16, 2015
Debra Robinson
1605 E Sligh Avenue
Tampa, FL 33617
Ph: (813) 635-3500
robinsonda@hillsboroughcounty.org
www.hillsboroughcounty.org/seniorgames

Jacksonville Senior Games
October 2- October 10, 2015
Mary Ferrell
117 West Duval Street, Suite 220
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Ph: (904) 630-2681
mferrell@coj.net
www.coj.net/seniors

Gainesville Senior Games  REGISTRATION NOW AVAILABLEOctober 3-18, 2015
Matt Crimmins
300 East University Avenue, Suite 100
Gainesville, FL 32601
Ph: (352) 338-9300
mcrimmins@gainesvillesportscommission.com
www.gainesvillesportscommission.com

Port Orange Senior Games
October 12- October 18, 2015
Caitlin Jones
4655 City Center Circle
Port Orange, FL 32129
Ph: (386) 506-5854
cjones@port-orange.org
www.port-orange.org/parks

Cutler Bay Senior GamesOctober 13-24, 2015
Colin Wells
10100 SW 200th Street
Cutler Bay, FL 33157
Ph: (305) 238-4166
cwells@cutlerbay-fl.gov
www.cutlerbay-fl.gov

Ormond Beach Senior Games
October 24- October 31, 2015
Gus Soder
PO Box 1948
Ormond Beach, FL 32175
Ph: (386) 676-3291
srgamesob@gmail.com
www.ormondbeach.org

Martin County Senior Games
October 31- November 8, 2015
David Gladding
2401 SE Monterey Road
Stuart, FL 34996
Ph: (772) 353-9234
dgladdin@martin.fl.us
http://econnect.martin.fl.us

Golden Age Games
November 7- November 14, 2015
Kim Eltonhead
P.O. Box 1788
Sanford, FL 32772
Ph: (407) 688-5129
Kim.Eltonhead@sanfordfl.gov
www.sanfordfl.gov

          

Florida Senior Games State Championship
December 5 – 13, 2015
Clearwater, FL
Florida Sports Foundation
Ph: (727) 724-3082
Toll-free: (866) 354-2637
games@flasports.com
www.flasports.com

Tournament Results/Photos/Upcoming Tournaments

MID-FLORIDA TABLE TENNIS TOUR JULY CLASSIC-LAKELAND, FLORIDA

Tournament officials at the Mid-Florida Table Tennis Tour were excited with the large number of participants at the two-day event in Lakeland, Florida on July 17-18, 2015. Close to 100 players registered for all the various events offered during the two days, including Super Big Ball, Sandpaper and Colossal Round Robin Singles. The tournament was highlighted by many close matches during the day, several major upsets and a great number of matches that went the full 5 games to determine the winners.

Super Big Ball Event, using the 44mm ball, and an increased height net, was won by Jim Beckford from Florida. Beckford is one of the top Super Big Ball players in the nation. Beckford defeated Patrick Lui by scores of 11-6, 11-7 to take the Championship. Matthew Evans from Germantown, Maryland finished in 3rd Place and Victor Marik came in 4th in the hard fought competition. Super Big Ball is growing in popularity as more players become aware of the new sport.

The USSTTA Sandpaper Event was won by Jim Beckford also. Beckford, with a Sandpaper rating of 2157 defeated Victor Marik, who finished in second place. Matthew Evans from Germantown, Maryland came in a strong third with several very competitive matches.

The Colossal Round Robin Singles Event was one of the strongest and hardest fought tournaments we have seen. Tremendous matches with close tie-break status was seen throughout all the various classes offered for this USATT sanctioned event. There were numerous upsets and several players appear to be in line for rating adjustments. The results were filed electronically directly to the USATT within  an hour of the completion of the tournament. The new rating system should allow the results to be processed much quicker and posted on the USATT website with the new ratings.

SEE RESULTS OF ALL COLOSSAL RR MATCHES HERE!!!

To view ALL the Colossal Round Robin Results from July 18, 2015, you can click on the link provided here:

  MID-FLORIDA TOUR JULY CLASSIC 2015 RESULTS

TOURNAMENT PHOTOS-WINNERS!!!

Photos from the tournament can be viewed at:

TOURNAMENT PHOTOS-JULY 2015

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FLORIDA ORANGE BLOSSOM SERIES TOURNAMENT 

AUGUST 14-15, 2015

NOW REGISTERING!!!

The Florida Orange Blossom Series continues in beautiful Lakeland, Florida on August 14-15, 2015. This two-day USATT sanctioned tournament will feature Super Big Ball Event on Friday night, August 14, 2015 beginning at 6:00 p.m. There is an extra $50 cash prize for the winner of this event. This event is fully sanctioned by the SBBTTA and utilizes the 44mm ball with an increased net height. A special tournament paddle is required and is provided for those who do not have one. You can find out all about the Super Big Ball Table Tennis Tournament at the following link: SUPER BIG BALL TABLE TENNIS WEBSITE

In addition to the Super Big Ball Event, a USSTTA sanctioned Sandpaper Event is offered on Friday night also beginning at 6:00 p.m. This event uses paddles with sandpaper covering instead of rubber. It is a skillful game that removes all the spin from the game and relies more on natural skills. You can find out all about Sandpaper Table Tennis at the following link: SANDPAPER TABLE TENNIS

All players are invited to enter any or all of the above events at the fabulous Table Tennis tournament in Lakeland, Florida. You can easily enter ONLINE at the following link: REGISTER ONLINE

PLEASE PARTICIPATE IN LOCAL TABLE TENNIS TOURNAMENTS!!!

SUPPORT OUR SPORT!!!

Tournaments and Table Tennis News

LAST WEEK TO ENTER MID-FLORIDA TOUR TOURNAMENT IN LAKELAND

Registration is still open with only one week until the USATT sanctioned Mid-Florida Tour Table Tennis Tournament in Lakeland, Florida. The tournament is scheduled for July 17-18, 2015 with $2000.00 in cash available along with trophies for the top four places in various events during the two-day tournament. 

Super Big Ball (44mm), Sandpaper and Doubles Events will be available on Friday night, beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the Simpson Park Community Center in Lakeland, Florida. On Saturday, the Colossal Round Robin Singles Event will be held beginning at 9:00 a.m. 

Pizza, soft drinks and bottled water will be available for all participants, and don't forget the Cookies that are provided for that little extra energy in the afternoon session. 

It's not too late to register online. Just go to the following link: ONLINE REGISTRATION
To see who has already registered, just click on the following link: ALREADY REGISTERED
To see the Tour Point Standings for the season so far: TOUR POINT STANDINGS

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FLORIDA SENIOR TABLE TENNIS PLAYERS AT NATIONALS!!!

Florida is being very well represented at the National Senior Games-Table Tennis 2015. This great event is being held in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota. Table Tennis athletes, age 50 and above are competing for the National Championship. 

Sixteen Table Tennis senior athletes are competing from Florida in the national event. Listed below are our players, going for the GOLD!!!

 Table Tennis

Wayne Wistrand, Boca Raton

Martin Sundel, Cooper City

Winston Dowridge, Jacksonville

Joan Ruggiero, Jacksonville

Patricia Benitez, Kissimmee

Ileana Alverez-Builla, Miami

Ricardo Abril, Orlando

Robert Gingras, Pembroke Pines

Danuta Andrzejewska, Pembroke Pines

Suzanna Sanders, Pembroke Pines

Lubomir Valek, Pompano Beach

Albert Blatt, Pembroke Pines

Garth Jordan, Tampa

Jim Weisbecker, The Villages

Thuan Hoang, Winter Park

Anita Lam, Winter Park 

William Robbin's Video and Table Tennis News

WILLIAM ROBBINS PRODUCES WORLD CLASS TABLE TENNIS VIDEO!

William Robbins, from St. Petersburg, Florida, is a table tennis enthusiast, player, and also an excellent photographer. He has developed his talents to a high-level in the production of action videos, using still and action photography and videos and then combines them with music to produce a stunning effect,

Robbins is able to capture the essence of an event with amazing detail and clarity. He captured the Sunshine State Games Table Tennis Championship 2015 with perhaps the best overall depiction many of us have ever witnessed in a video production. The video, referenced below, tells the story of this major USATT sanctioned tournament that was held in Lakeland, Florida on June 20-21, 2015.

We are thankful to William Robbins for his amazing talent and his dedication to the sport of Table Tennis!

Here is the YouTube Link to this fabulous Table Tennis Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nt5k5AqLoHw&feature=youtu.be

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MID-FLORIDA TABLE TENNIS TOUR CONTINUES

The Mid-Florida Table Tennis Tour continues the march across Florida with the next USATT sanctioned tournament scheduled for July 17-18, 2015 in Lakeland, Florida. The Tour consists of tournaments in a growing number of venues in Florida. Clearwater, Lakeland, Orlando, and Cocoa Beach have already joined the Tour and the goal is to expand the tour to all parts of the state of Florida in the future. 

Players win Tour Points at each special Tour affiliated tournament. At the close of the year, the total points are tabulated and prizes are awarded to the winners, including a fabulous Newgy Robot valued at nearly $900.00 and other cash awards. Players who enter all or most of the tournaments have a greater chance of winning the top prizes during the tour season. You can view the CURRENT STANDINGS by clicking on this link: CURRENT TOUR STANDINGS

Players can easily register online for the next TOUR tournament in Lakeland, Florida by clicking on the following link: ONLINE REGISTRATION AND INFORMATION