Kelowna Masters Racquetball
The Kelowna Four Seasons Masters group was founded in the spring of 1983 with an informal group playing on Tuesday evenings - initially the group consisted of eight members with a passion for life and the game.
Founders: Am Corrado, Don Dolman, Russ Ensign, Gordon Sahlin, Leon Thomas, Collin Elliot, Ted Runnalls, Colin Sutherland.
Historical Highlights:
• December 1984 - the first Turkey for Turkeys Tournament (held at the "Gasthaus") where Turkeys, Roast Chickens, and Cornish Hens were awarded as prizes.Carling-O'Keefe became our first sponsor along with the Willow Inn Hotel.
• May 1985 - The Four Seasons hosted the Canadian National Racquetball Championships. The masters played an important part in the tournament (hosting the barbecue, refereeing opening matches, and consuming copious amounts of Canadian Coolers).
• November 1985 - The first Kelowna Open Masters Tournament was held. A total of 44 entries and Darwin Matheson won the "A" event.
• January 1986 - Total membership up to 38 members.
• October 1986 - Capri Insurance and Aetna sign on to the sponsor list. Monthly Newsletter commences (first called the "Update" then changed to the "Tie-Breaker").
• February 1987 - First Spokane trip. Total membership up to 50. New Division Classifications: "AAAAA", "AAAA", "AAA", "AA", "A".
• November 1987 - The Masters Open had 66 entries and the Turkey Tournament had 42. The Masters League grows to 2 evenings. Christmas Banquet now held at the Club. Labattsis the new beverage sponsor.
• January 1888 - The first and only "Smoker" or "Stag" was held - a great success - profit of $1500.00 (was intended for a Reno trip). Total membership up to 66 members. Price & Markle(Lyle Jorde) became a sponsor.
• November 1988 - Second Spokane Trip. Fourth annual Open Masters attracts 70 participants. Members attempt to purchase the Four Seasons Club.
• June 1989 - Gordon Geddes hosts second annual games day. Babcooks sell the Four Seasons to Dowhaniuk. Total Membership up to 77 members.
• Fall 1989 - 79 entries in the Kelowna Open Masters. 64 entries in the Turkey Tournament. Monashee Manufacturers (Dale Armeneau) and Downtown Shoe Store (Norm Oberg) become sponsors.
• Spring 1990 - Gerry Herron new manager of the Four Seasons. League format changes for the first time. 90 members in schedule. Geddes Construction & Scott Hyundia new sponsors. Spokane trip #3 takes place.
• Fall 1990 - League grows to eight divisions with 11 players in each division. 80 single players in the Open Tournament (full draw). 64 players in the Turkey Tournament (full draw). Blair Sportswear & Okanagan Jeep Eagle new sponsors.
• Spring 1991 - Am Corrado roasted by members on Retirement for teaching.
• Fall 1991 - Full entries for the Open and turkey Tournaments. Computer spreadsheet for schedules started. Sports Kotor West (Bob Mitchell), Sutton Realty Group (Gerry Frechette), andBank of B.C. (Bob Lindsay) come on as new sponsors.
• Spring 1992 - Chris Jaegli new club Manager. Spokane trip was a major success.
Created by Am Corrado and Ronnie Ward
The Kelowna Four Seasons Masters group was founded in the spring of 1983 with an informal group playing on Tuesday evenings - initially the group consisted of eight members with a passion for life and the game.
Founders: Am Corrado, Don Dolman, Russ Ensign, Gordon Sahlin, Leon Thomas, Collin Elliot, Ted Runnalls, Colin Sutherland.
Historical Highlights:
• December 1984 - the first Turkey for Turkeys Tournament (held at the "Gasthaus") where Turkeys, Roast Chickens, and Cornish Hens were awarded as prizes.Carling-O'Keefe became our first sponsor along with the Willow Inn Hotel.
• May 1985 - The Four Seasons hosted the Canadian National Racquetball Championships. The masters played an important part in the tournament (hosting the barbecue, refereeing opening matches, and consuming copious amounts of Canadian Coolers).
• November 1985 - The first Kelowna Open Masters Tournament was held. A total of 44 entries and Darwin Matheson won the "A" event.
• January 1986 - Total membership up to 38 members.
• October 1986 - Capri Insurance and Aetna sign on to the sponsor list. Monthly Newsletter commences (first called the "Update" then changed to the "Tie-Breaker").
• February 1987 - First Spokane trip. Total membership up to 50. New Division Classifications: "AAAAA", "AAAA", "AAA", "AA", "A".
• November 1987 - The Masters Open had 66 entries and the Turkey Tournament had 42. The Masters League grows to 2 evenings. Christmas Banquet now held at the Club. Labattsis the new beverage sponsor.
• January 1888 - The first and only "Smoker" or "Stag" was held - a great success - profit of $1500.00 (was intended for a Reno trip). Total membership up to 66 members. Price & Markle(Lyle Jorde) became a sponsor.
• November 1988 - Second Spokane Trip. Fourth annual Open Masters attracts 70 participants. Members attempt to purchase the Four Seasons Club.
• June 1989 - Gordon Geddes hosts second annual games day. Babcooks sell the Four Seasons to Dowhaniuk. Total Membership up to 77 members.
• Fall 1989 - 79 entries in the Kelowna Open Masters. 64 entries in the Turkey Tournament. Monashee Manufacturers (Dale Armeneau) and Downtown Shoe Store (Norm Oberg) become sponsors.
• Spring 1990 - Gerry Herron new manager of the Four Seasons. League format changes for the first time. 90 members in schedule. Geddes Construction & Scott Hyundia new sponsors. Spokane trip #3 takes place.
• Fall 1990 - League grows to eight divisions with 11 players in each division. 80 single players in the Open Tournament (full draw). 64 players in the Turkey Tournament (full draw). Blair Sportswear & Okanagan Jeep Eagle new sponsors.
• Spring 1991 - Am Corrado roasted by members on Retirement for teaching.
• Fall 1991 - Full entries for the Open and turkey Tournaments. Computer spreadsheet for schedules started. Sports Kotor West (Bob Mitchell), Sutton Realty Group (Gerry Frechette), andBank of B.C. (Bob Lindsay) come on as new sponsors.
• Spring 1992 - Chris Jaegli new club Manager. Spokane trip was a major success.
Created by Am Corrado and Ronnie Ward