2009 Fort Hood "Iron Horse Open"

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2009 Iron horse Open

Reaching out to the Fort Hood families of the recent fatal shooting of 12 soldiers, 1 civilian, and wounding of 31 people, became the essence of a mission sought out by a group of Fort Hood racquetball players. A tragedy that will be imprinted on the minds of millions forever…

Why something like this occurred will always be a mystery, but a calling for many more whose minds, hearts, and prayers are with the families of the recent wounded and deceased. This was first and foremost the highest priority throughout an event called the Fort Hood Ironhorse Open. A racquetball tournament held at Fort Hood, Texas initially intended to help raise funds for local charities, but now on a mission to help our own ‘Victims of Fort Hood Family Fund’.

Gudrun Ahlskog: “It was great fun!!
Will you be posting pictures online (MRF site or such)?”

Fort Hood, with over 40,000 troops is the home of the Army's 1st Cavalry Division and 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, elements of the 4th Infantry Division, as well as the 13th Corps Support Command. It is located near Killeen, Texas. Fort Hood is the largest U.S. military installation in the nation and worldwide.

I am Kimo Hansen, the Ironhorse Open Racquetball Tournament Director here at Fort Hood, Texas. The First Annual Fort Hood Ironhorse Open Racquetball Tournament held December 4-6th, 2009 was a combined effort of our Fort Hood group & Military Racquetball Federation (MRF). The MRF, whose mission statement states: A non-profit organization that was created to organize, promote, serve, and grow racquetball and fitness throughout all branches of the military U.S. services worldwide; SERVE is the keyword in this statement and is the direct focus for this particular tournament!

Luis Santiago: “I absolutely had a great time!
Thank you for the opportunity and for the encouragement.
I cannot describe the impact or imprint you have made.
I look forward to the next one. I do, however, recognize
the need for formal training. Again, thank you!”

The Ironhorse Open Racquetball Tournament collected over $2,000 towards a Fort Hood Fund that will be disbursed through the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) channels to the immediate families affected by this tragedy. Despite the recent tragedy, the Ironhorse Open racquetballers placed their minds together and held strongly together to help formulate a positive and fun atmosphere while raising funds for the families! The competition was high but the end result was even more rewarding in that sticking together all racquetballers, family and friends would help make this fundraiser successful!

In the words of Ken Foster (65+ division entrant): “Kimo,This was my first trip to Ft. Hood. I'm sorry it had to be so short. Thanks for the way you ran the tournament - it was really well organized. I’m already looking forward to another one…

And finally, young pups like Adam Clark,
age 23 years old. Soon, he’ll be a graduate of
Texas A&M and follow up with attending the U.S. Army
Officer Candidate School. Adam came out to challenge
our Fort Hood players and then defeats a top of the line
‘A’ player in the Men’s Military A Division and says,
“this is really fun, can I move up to the Open Division
and play the vacant spot?” Young Adam Clark was willing to
face the highest challenges no matter what experience
level he was up against…a sign of a true upcoming Officer
of the U.S. Army!

When you get ready to send the pictures of the winners, would you consider sending a copy of the ones of 65+ to me also? I have a nephew in the military in Missouri (maintenance on C-130’s). He is just learning to play. I would like to send them to him. Thanks again & thanks to all who helped you!”

These are the words of a veteran with years of military experience yet alone, racquetball experience…one who knows of quality assurance, timeliness, discipline and the need to meet the morale, welfare, and recreation of all his soldiers…to Ken, whose pass time was a Commission Officer of the U.S. Army, military racquetball is that venue to reach out to this regard!!

Throughout the wide range of age and experience, Fort Hood racquetball demonstrates the need to continue the Ironhorse Open experience! Competition is great, but the overwhelming fun makes all the competition secondary. People will know that the Ironhorse Open is about fun, making friends and fellowshipping with the young and elders of this great sport!

WINNERS:

Men’s Military Singles Open- Eduardo Salehroa, Harker Heights, Tx def Doug Miller, Harker Heights, Tx USA

Women’s Military Singles Open- Vianney Lynn, Killeen, Tx def Tara Parks, Harker Heights, Tx USA

Men’s Military A- Adam Clark, Humble, Tx def Ruben Albert, Ft. Rucker, Al USA

Men’s Military B- Steven White, Killeen, Tx def Jamir Rashad, Grand Prairie, Tx USA

Men’s Military C- Jamir Rashad, Grand Prairie, Tx def Steven White, Killeen, Tx USA

Women’s Military C- Tara Parks, Harker Heights, Tx def Jennifer Ackerman, Kingwood, Tx USA

Men’s Military D– Whitney Twichell, Copperas Cove, Tx def Dan Cranford, Harker Heights, Tx USA

Men’s Military 45+ - Joe Clinton, Killeen, Tx def Enrique Garcia, Killeen, Tx USA

Men’s Military 65+ -Kenneth Foster, Lewisville, Tx def Joseph Bowman, Copperas Cove, Tx USA

Men’s Military Doubles Open-Eduardo Salehroa/Miguel Santiago, Ft. Hood, Tx def Darryl Thompson/Ron Harris, Ft Hood, Tx USA

Mixed Military Doubles Open- Miguel Santiago/Vianney Lynn, Ft. Hood, Tx def Doug Miller/Dianeya Nodarse, Ft. Hood, Tx USA

Mixed Military Doubles C- Daniel Warner/Tara Parks def Luis Santiago/Tricia Denson

Also, special thanks go out to Ruben Albert and Ron Harris who traveled the furthest from out of state in order to participate in this First Annual Fort Hood Ironhorse Open Racquetball Tournament! Ron Harris is originally from the Fort Hood area and decided to come back from his vacation early from Atlanta, Georgia. Ruben Albert comes from Fort Rucker, Alabama and travelled quite a bit to be part of the Ironhorse team.

And for the sponsors who contributed immensely, my deepest admiration and thanks to all! C&H Hawaiian Grill for the awesome terryaki chicken and Kalua pig! Hensan, mahalo brauda! And Linda, your hula performers left a lasting impression on all of us! We look forward to being entertained again in the near future! Applebees; thank you Suzanne for the awesome finger foods and sandwiches. The Imprinted Sportswear Company; Dave, your donation of 75 T-shirts…can’t say enough about that! Great job on the shirts! Racquetskinz; Darjon Bittner….you were right…that one of a kind racquet did produce the most in the auction, $130 toward the ‘Victims of the Fort Hood Family Fund’! Thank you sir for your donation! Thank you Crown Awards for donating 60 Ironhorse medals. To Peloton Ridge Country Club for the awesome massage therapy! Robin Seal donated $74 from her on the spot massages…everyone wants you back! Thank you, E-Force and Ektelon companies for donating the racquets and racquetball gear! Huge success on the monetary turnout of this gear! JoAnna Maldonado Reyes and Leo Vasquez, I can’t express enough the true loyalty, concern and willingness you as well as the TXRA members displayed for our Fort Hood soldiers and family members. The TXRA donation and time to be part of this program was immense! TXRA has a solid association because of their strong leadership and Texas racquetball is kept alive as a result of this! I can’t thank you enough. Well, I’m sure I am missing a few, but I haven’t forgotten a very vital piece of this gratification. To the MRF crew…you’re awesome! Thanks for allowing me to represent in this truly magnificent organization! Steve, Jack, Peggine, and Hank…you are the essence for rejuvenating military racquetball. It will only get better and as we say…Texas huge! Thank you for your patience, your support, and friendship!

In closing, I would have to save the best for last. The inevitable successful experience of tournament directing comes with hard work and long hours of preparing; however, I would be remiss if I didn’t recognize the true reason of this success. Thank you Mr. John Pelton and Jennifer Fairchild for allowing me to work through the MWR channels and approving this tournament. The overall success began with you. I can’t express my deepest gratitude enough for your vested interest in this program. Abrams, Grey Wolfe and Burba Physical Fitness Centers staff and supervisors; thank you for your generosity to use your courts and hospitality; Doug Miller, Eduardo Salehroa & Beatrice Gonzalez, Enrique & Lilia Garcia, Mustaffa Salaam, Darryl Thompson, Miguel Santiago, Joe Clinton plus many more willing hearts were all true contributors to this worthy cause! I could not have accomplished a three day event at multiple facilities and produce over $2,000 toward the ‘Victims of the Fort Hood Family Fund’ if it were not for the unconditional attitudes and efforts of these racquetballers. My heart and admiration goes to each one! We all started and finished together and united, our hearts ultimately go to the families of the Fort Hood wounded and deceased….may God bless you all!

I look forward to seeing you all again at June’s Ironhorse 1-Day Shootout!
See ya’ll on the courts…ya’ll come back now!!

Sunday's Group - Have a very Merry Christmas and God bless you all! From the Fort Hood Ironhorse Crew…
Aloha and Mahalo!!

(Back L-R): Enrique "Rico" Garcia, Mustafa Ab-Salaam, Eduardo "Sal" Salehroa, and Luis Feliz
(Front L-R): Odie Nordin, Lilia "Lele" Garcia, and Ysa Garza

MRF & MILITARY RACQUETBALL AFFILIATES