Shoot the Rapids Feb 16-18 2007

Sunday begins and the first event is the Men's Doubles 501. And this year I am feeling confident as Steve Hertzfeld and myself are defending champions.

But after arriving to the venue a touch late I quickly discover Steve is no where to be found. As the PA announces the 10 minute deadline for entry, I check my phone noticing several missed calls. Unfortunately, he had been called home on an emergency early and was still an hour away from the venue.

I quickly line up a contingency partner whos own teamate had been called away the previous night. No sooner then I get this accomplished the tournament organizers call me to the desk to inform me that they will be running a bit late and Steve should make it in time. So at this point, I set up my contingency partner with another teamate. When I call Steve to relay the good news he informs me that he has turned around for home after not hearing back from me. It turns out keeping your ringer on is a good idea in these situations. So now I have no partner for the event.

Luckily for me, when all seemed darkest, from the shadows emerged the "invisible man". I would reveal his true identity but apparently super hero regulations prohibit such disclosure. Tragedy turns to triumph as we quickly dispatch of the field eventually landing in the finals. Although it wasnt to be this day as Ed Debenke and Ron Johnson from Chicago proved too much of an obstacle in the final stanza.

The final event of the weeked was Men's Singles cricket and without my super hero partners I turn to the help of my super hero chalker, Bob Ham. And cruise through to the quarter finals where Neil Quenon has plans for me. After I take the first game I enjoy a comfortable lead in the second. Neil fires up 5 straight triples and a center bull to literally rip the game away. In the third I start out slow while Neil continues to tear the board to peices. After 3 perfect shots on the 16's and 1100 points I eventually crawl into the semis.

The semi-finals proves just as difficult if not more so, against a red hot Ed "Bam Bam" Debenke. As the third leg eclipsed the 1400 score mark my last bull landed to set up a finals matchup between myself and the "Razor" Ray Carver.

Still dazed from my previous two matches Ray decimated the board to take an early 2-0 lead in legs. In the third leg, my second wind kicked in and I was able to pull out the game comfortably. But my renewed confidence was quickly dispatched as Ray once again carved up huge shots to take the match.

All and all certainly not my best effort. But with 5 finals in 8 events is hard to be too upset. The rust showed especially on the finishing but I was fortunate enough to have great friends rooting for me and great partners to hold me up. A special shout out goes the the banking Flaver-Flav from Chicago land. When is your new CD coming out anyway Popstar?!?