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Racquetball: Local racquetball picking up steam
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FarkRAPID CITY — Several area athletes are doing their part to advance racquetball in Rapid City.
Area racquetball players organized and are playing in the Whack It and Smack It racquetball tournament this weekend at the Rapid City Swim Center. About 40 players signed up with some are traveling from as far away as Gillette, Wyo.
Organizers hope that this weekend’s tournament is only a start.
“We hope to have two a year,” said Duncan Olney, one of the organizers of this weekend’s tournament. “We’re trying to feel this one out thus far.”
The organizers said they are pleased with the increasing number of racquetball events in Rapid City. They hope the Whack It and Smack It tournament will be part of a series of tournaments that includes the Ron Bender Memorial Racquetball Tournament and an event that is being planned for this fall.
This weekend’s tournament is the first to be held at the swim center at Roosevelt Park.
“Hopefully we can make this a regular event,” said Doug Phillips, president of South Dakota Racquetball. Phillips is at this weekend’s tournament and is pleased with the turnout and local efforts to secure more tournaments.
Phillips said racquetball has seen ups and downs in Rapid City, and the Ron Bender Memorial Tournament this winter was a good moment for local racquetball. Phillips said he used to play racquetball with Bender and he was an asset to the racquetball community.
Phillips said that he would like to see more racquetball courts in the Rapid City area and there are currently plans to add additional courts. The YMCA is planning to add two courts with its scheduled renovation, and Phillips said he would like to see more courts at Roosevelt Park.
“We’d like to see more racquetball courts here and at the YMCA,” Phillips said, adding that he is pleased with the courts at Roosevelt Park. “Part of (advancing racquetball) is also getting more youth involved. But we just don’t have that many courts in Rapid City.”
Phillips said that Rapid City used to have a facility near Canyon Lake Park that had eight courts. The facility operated under several names until it was turned into an office complex about six years ago.
“That’s the goal. Build more courts,” Phillips said.
This weekend’s tournament has a unique format.
There are five divisions — A, B, C, Women’s and Open. The more experienced players play in the B and C divisions. The winners today will receive $50, with $25 and $15 awarded to second and third places, respectively.
The tournament started at 5 p.m. on Friday and lasted until 10:30 p.m. On Saturday, players gathered at 6:30 a.m. and played until 11 p.m.
“It’s late nights and early mornings,” Rudman said. Some players are competing in several divisions and playing both singles and doubles.
The tournament concludes today, with action starting at 8 a.m. and concluding at about 2 p.m.
The area racquetball players are enjoying the tournament.
Shannin Rudman, a Rapid City racquetball player and one of the tournament organizers, said he travels to other cities to play racquetball and he is happy to host an event.
“It’s growing, and we’re trying to make it grow,” Rudman said, adding that the tournament also gives him a chance to visit with friends.
Olney said the swim center, YMCA, Rapid City Recreation Department, South Dakota School of Mines and Ellsworth Air Force Base offer opportunities for athletes interested in learning how to play racquetball. The YMCA and the Rapid City Swim Center each have two indoor courts. The swim center does not offer lessons, but the racquetball players try to pair beginners with veteran players so they can learn the sport, Olney said.
The courts at the swim center are modified for tournaments, and there are referees to call hinders and points.
Rob Schlimgen keeps his eye on the ball as he plays it off the wall during a match with Jim Didier during the Whack It and Smack It racquetball tournament Friday night at the Rapid City Swim Center. (Seth A. McConnell/Journal staff)
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