Dennis Dias, Raphael deGroot and Steven Xavier secured wins in the Open division when the Guyana Squash Association (GSA) sanctioned Bounty Farm Limited handicap squash tournament commenced Tuesday night.
Played at the Georgetown Club courts, Camp Street, Dias (+10) made light work of Jamal Douglas (+10) winning 15-3 and 15-7 while deGroot (-12) overcame Dominique Dias (+10) 15-11 and 15-14. Similarly, Xavier (-4) downed Andrea King (+10) 15-9, 13-15 and 15-10.
In other results, Avinash Odit (+6) defeated Maya Collins (+11) 16 – 14, 16 – 14; John Maikoo (+7) defeated Tiffany Solomon (+10) 11- 15, 15 – 9, 15 – 8; Jonathan Antczak (+9) downed David Fernandes (+10) 15 – 12, 15 – 12 and Robert Hiscock (+10) edged Dustani Barrow (+10) 15 – 7, 15 – 6.
The tournament, the first for the season, sees the more skilled players participating in the Open category and the lesser skilled and younger players participating in category A.
This year has seen a record number of entries with 73 players signed up to participate, making it one of the biggest tournaments in years.
Jason Ray Khalil the defending Open champion, will start with a handicap of -25, while National champion Nyron Joseph has a handicap of – 20. Winner of the Lucozade handicap Peter Michael De Groot starts with a handicap of -10. Some of the other players in this category and their handicaps are Nicholas Narain -16, Regan Pollard -14, Raphael De Groot -12, Ashley De Groot +3, Joseph Meckdeci +2, Taylor Fernandes +5, Dennis Dias +10, Henry Jeffrey +10, Brian Yong +8, Daniel Islam +7, Adam Alves +8, David Fernandes +10 and Michael Atherley +10.
In Category A top ranked players are Ethan Jonas, Lucas Jonas, Samuel Ince-Carvahal, Kirsten Gomes, Madison Fernandes, Aliyah Persaud, Michael Alphonso, Demetrius De Abreu and Gianni Carpenter.
All matches are best of three and action starts each evening at 6.00 pm. The finals of all the categories are set for February 14 starting at 11.00 am.
