2014 SLTTC Club Tournament

David Zapatka

The Sun Lakes Table Tennis Club saw exciting matches at its annual club singles and doubles tournament Friday, February 21.

Bob Snow, ever so agile since his hip replacement, was outstanding in winning his first club singles title but it wasn't without some angst as he had to survive a playoff with Gerry Vogelsang and Richard Nadler after all three had tied in matches won and games won. In the end it was Bob Snow's powerful forehand smash that was just too much for Gerry Vogelsang's wily defense.

David Zapatka, "Z-Man", edged past perennial contender Alan "The Bear" Behr in a nail-biter and narrowly escaped David "The Hammer" Novikoff's fury in a tight 14-12, 11-8 final match showdown in the round robin.

The most entertaining bracket of the entire tournament was the doubles draw. A random pairing of the Division I and II players created an incredibly level playing field. Champions David Novikoff and Bob Snow had to save match point before defeating second-place finishers Bill Aichele and Richard Nadler. Doubles specialist June Wagner with her famed backhand counter shot teamed with Alan Behr to push the champions and second place finishers to the limit before being ousted by the tiniest of margins.

Division I Singles

1st – David Zapatka

2nd – Alan Behr

3rd – David Novikoff

Division II Singles

1st – Bob Snow

2nd – Gerry Vogelsang

3rd – Richard Nadler

Doubles

1st – David Novikoff/Bob Snow

2nd – Bill Aichele/Richard Nadler

3rd – Alan Behr/June Wagner

Richard Nadler/Bill Aichele vs. June Wagner/Alan Behr in the near court

David Novikoff/Bob Snow vs. Gerry Vogelsang/Jim Spolar in the far court