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Stoking the competitive fires Local 71â€"yearâ€"old squash player wins another U.S. doubles championship What could make winning a world squash championship even sweeter? A little revenge, of course. Barry Abelson, a 71â€"yearâ€"old athlete who plays out of the Kitchenerâ€"Waterloo Racquet Club, was oneâ€"half of the winning team in the 70â€"plus division at the U.S. Doubles Squash Championship last month. It was Abelson‘s second win in a row at the tournament, which is effectively the world championship for doubles squash since that incarnation of the sport isn‘t played much outside of North America, Abelson said. "It‘s sort of a big deal," he said. This year‘s victory was a little more satisfyâ€" ing than the last, he said. Abelson had competed against 71â€"yearâ€" old Philadelphia native Fred Bracher in the 2007 tournament, and the two decided to team up to take a run at this year‘s champiâ€" onship. _ After the 2007 win, Abelson‘s partner Peter Holland decided to join another team, leavâ€" ing Abelson partneriess. _ oo "When we won, he was one of the guys we beat," Abelson said. Abelson and Bracher played a competitive season, coming out with the No. 2 seed going into the championships. _ â€" â€" While Abelson and Bracher were pleased with their results so far in the season, they knew there was going to be a big obstacle between them and the championship: Holâ€" land and his new partner, Ritchie Bell, were the No. 1 seed. Abelson and Bracher won their first three matches to make it into the finals. So did Holland and Bell. "We were quite worried. This was the final with the No. 1 seed the No. 2 seed meeting morrow, as they have been T\?vont to say for years, the golf season in North America starts with the opening round of the first of the U.S. PGA‘s four major tournaments â€" the sacred Masters Invitational in Augusta, GA. True, as always, the PGA has been running tourneys since Januâ€" ary but because of its stature in the golf history books â€" past and present â€" the Masters has become the real kickoff of bigâ€"time televiâ€" sion and media coverage. Discussion of the Grand Slam in golf starts with the Masters Of course, there was more o > J JIDPNNIINNLTIRNNJILRIDPHRAT EatRight Ontario â€" ontario.ca/eatright By Grec MacDonaL Chronicle Staff interest in the preâ€"Masters sked this year because of Eldrick (Tiger) Woods‘ "chasing" of the old Byron Nelson win streak record of 11 tourney wins in a row but that went in the dumper a few weeks ago at Doral in Florida. Now we‘re just gearing up for the annual query. And that would be: can Tiger win the Grand Slam, which is the four biggies â€" Masâ€" ters, U.S. Open, British Open and PGA â€" all in the same year? Tiger had his version of the Slam a few years back when he held all the major titles at the same Call 1â€"877â€"510â€"510â€"2 and talk to a Registered Dietitian for free. The worry was unfounded, however, as Abelson and Bracher soundly defeated their opponents with a 3â€"0 victory in a bestâ€"ofâ€"five series. Barry Abelson, 71, won the 70â€"plus division at the U.S. Doubles Squash Championship defeating a former partner in the process. The local busiâ€" nessman said he has no plans on slowing down and will defend his title next year. sugmntep rHoto each other," Abelson said. pretty good." _ _ â€" o "It‘s good exercise, it‘s an hour of a good Abelson said the victory was a great feelâ€" ing, and that feeling was stronger because of the opponent. _ _ 8 s "The wonderful part of it was that I was competing against the guy who dumped me," he said. "To be able to beat him was SPORTS TTOMYCOE _ Bracher and Abelson are now the world‘s topâ€"seeded 70â€"plus doubles team and are planning to defend their title next year. _ Abelson isn‘t sure how long after that he‘ll be able to play, but he‘s hoping he lasts another five years. "I‘m in good health and I don‘t have knee or back problems," he said. Abelson credits squash with helping him keep his health. Playing the game allows him to stay active while not overâ€"exerting himself. Paid for by the Government of Ontario time but he won two at the end of one season and two more at the start of the next. In the U.S. sports media‘s nonâ€" stop attempt to declare Tiger the greatest pro in the history of the game, there was a lot of mixed opinion about the Tiger Slam: some saying it was as good as the Grand Slam and others saying it just wasn‘t the same. Being from the old school, I‘m inclined to think if the Grand Siam is all in the same calendar year, that‘s the rule and splitting it over two seasons isn‘t really the same WATERLOO CHRONICLE + Wednesday, April 9, 2008 + 25 "It‘s good exercise, it‘s an hour of a good cardiovascular workout," Abelson said. And while he would like to continue playâ€" ing as long as possible, he may not be able to compete at such a high level. _________ _ "They do have a 75â€"plus bracket, but this year there weren‘t enough people to run it," he said. For now Abelson will continue playing in tournaments across the country and he hopes to defend his title in 2009. I‘m not trying to deprive Mr. Woods of his mantel as best golfer in the world today. However, the final record book will determine whether in fact he‘s the best of all time. thing. Unless he becomes completely bored with the game, I have no doubt he will reach that plateau but let‘s not tweak the rules to get him there. That‘s what was happening with the winsâ€"inâ€"aâ€"row thing. Ontario Continued on page 29