2003 Butterhup Handicap Doubles and Birthday Celebration
Bklyn NY 6/1/03
by Ben Brettner
After weeks of poor weather forcing several cancellations of this annual
outdoor event, the Butterhup Invitational was a rousing success. Players
and spectators were hungry for action. During the long dreary spring more
birthdays and anniversaries were celebrated, chores done, and movies watched
than ever
before. The sight and sounds of the bouncing ball was
a relief to all.
The surprise team of Joe Durso, who filled in when Victor Lopierre didn’t
show, and Cesar Sala prevailed
over a quality field. In the preliminary round Paulie Angel and Kareem
Wilkerson, two up and coming talented
young players, defeated the Zimet brothers (Adam and Dan, in from Maryland)
25-17. In the quarters, Albert
Apuzzi and Willie Polanco spotted Angel and Wilkerson 7 points and defeated
them 25-18. In the semis Apuzzi
(still fighting a virus) and Polanco (who looked flat due to an interrupted
training schedule) fell to 25-15
to Satish Jagnandan and Carlos Lopez. These Bronx bombers impressed the
crowd with Satish’s aggressive
play and Carlos’ steady hands. Meanwhile Durso and Sala had their
hands full with Jonathan Lee and Dwayne
Sampson, who received a 7 point spot, before pulling away 25-19. PeeWee
Castro and Robert Sostre overcame
the rare combination of two lefties Pete Pelligrini and “Ageless”
Al Torres in an entertaining 25-17 win.
The semifinal match-up between Durso/Sala and Castro/Sostre featured current
and former National
champions in a match which had never been played before. Each player displayed
their individual skills.
To the delight of the crowd Cesar and Joe prevailed 25-18. The finalists
shared $500 in prize money.
The finals was anticlimactic. Riding an emotional high Durso and Sala
encountered few bumps in their 25-17
victory over Carlos, who suffered a calf injury, and Satish. With victories
in singles and doubles, Cesar is looking like the favorite in the upcoming Nationals. Joe drank in the
cheers and applause and left open the
possibility of returning to competitive doubles play. A special thanks
to Artie “Butterhup” Cussell, who is
convalescing, for his loyal support of handball. Everyone wishes him a
speedy recovery.
PRELIMINARY ROUND:
Paulie Angel/Kareem Wilkerson d. Adam Zimet Dan Zimet 25-18
QUARTERFINALS:
Albert Apuzzi/Willie Polanco d. Angel/Wilkerson 25-18 (gave a 7 point
spot),
Satish Jagnandan/Carlos Lopez d. Raul Retian/Andy Rousseau 25-9,
Joe Durso/Cesar Sala d. Jonathan Lee/Dwayne Sampson 25-19 (gave a 7
point spot),
PeeWee Castro/Robert Sostre d. Pete Pelligrini/Al Torres 25-17
SEMIFINALS:
Jagnandan/Lopez d. Apuzzi/Polanco 25-15,
DursoSala d. Castro/Sostre 25-18
FINALS:
Durso/Sala d. Jagnandan/Lopez 25-15
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