Results

2ND ANNUAL GLENWOOD BEACH MONKEYBALL OPEN
Glenwood Beach - Boyne City, MI
September 2, 2007

The world’s premier Monkeyball Doubles tournament was once again held the Sunday before Labor Day on Glenwood Beach in Boyne City, Mich. on the shores of Lake Charlevoix. This year’s event had 40 brave competitors ready to take on the field and the 30+ mph winds that raged across the lake all day! It certainly made the day interesting. The format was double elimination, with a random draw for partners with the exception of the previous year’s defending champions. Kathy Hills and Bob Mills were 2006’s champions and came into this year’s tournament with high expectations, only to be thrown around in the tournament by the vicious wind. Gracefully taking herself out of the competition to play the role of event coordinator was Monkeyball veteran Jennifer Morrow.

Many new Monkeyballers made names for themselves in Northern Michigan and will prove to be difficult competition in the future. Most impressive has to be 84-year-old Henry Overholt, who along with partner Andrea Gerling, destroyed the field en route to a 3rd place finish. Ultimately, however, the #2 ranked player in the world, Brent Morrow, and his partner Peter Nemes, prevailed, but not without getting through some tough competition. A nail-biting match was had in the quarterfinals between Brent/Pete and the father-daughter combo of Nadine Langley and Dan Nemes. Brent and Nadine were partners last year and had a disappointing early exit, so much trash talking took place during this match over just who was to blame. The most exciting moment was an exchange between Brent and Dan that resulted in 7 3-point balls being tossed in one turn. Look out for Dan Nemes and others at MB4 – they might be “rookies” but they have a lot of experience under their belts.

After winning the winner’s bracket, Brent and Pete faced Robert Morrow, Brent’s father, and John Connor, winners of the loser’s bracket, in the finals. In true Monkeyball fashion this match took place in front of a gallery of all 40 competitors and was set against the beautiful backdrop of Lake Charlevoix. Bob and John proved to be stiff competition but just didn’t have enough to take down the youth and matching outfits of Brent and Pete, who not only won the gorgeous Glenwood Beach Monkeyball Open trophy, but a cash prize of $50. Names of the 2007 champions are currently being engraved on the trophy to match the 2006 champions.

Many thanks to all the homeowners on Glenwood Beach who lent their yards (and bathrooms) to the competition!