As I reflected on the Open Doubles final match, a phrase came to mind that was as fitting as it could be to describe the 4 players who were playing. The phrase "Long in the tooth" can often be related to the idea that someone is older or been around a while. Perhaps someone that is experienced in something. It also is an expression alluding to a horse's gums receding with age making the teeth appear to be longer. With TCL's ACE Signature Series event being held in Mesquite right next to the Mesquite Rodeo, I just had to use this phrase!
Open Doubles has always been TCL's headlining event and typically the finalists are players who have been there a time or two. This time was different as Justin Fowler and Christina Espinosa defeated Chris Gardner and Jim Abdella to win their first Signature Open event. These are all really good players who haven been around for more than 8 or 9 years including Chris Gardner who I've heard rumors that he helped Noah with constructing the Ark!! Naw I'm kidding but Chris, Jim, Justin and Christina are seasoned veterans who put together some very impressive runs this weekend.
In getting to the finals, Gardner and Abdella beat Adam Utz and Matt Zonker in a hard fought opening round match then got past Grant Upchurch and Johnny Seymour. They went on to beat J.C. Nekuza and J.D. Thompson, Zeke Gutierrez and Zeke Sr., and Matt Ball and JR Reyes to get to the finals. They started out using Krakens bags but changed to the suddenly popular Yetis and what a run they went on winning most of those 2 out of 3 matches in just 2 games.
Fowler and Espinosa both haven't been at the top of their games the past year or so, but this weekend they simply were on another level. After winning their first two matches they ran into Ernest Herrera and Matt Longoria and lost to go to the losers bracket. That is when they decided to make a couple strategical changes which obviously helped as they went on one heckuva run. They beat Grant Upchurch and Johnny Seymour, Brandon Gregor and Daniel Vinson and redeemed themselves by beating Herrera and Longoria. Then they beat Matt Ball and JR. Reyes to get back to Abdella and Gardner. In the finals Espinosa was steady and down the middle while Fowler was stupid, hitting some huge airmails to win the 2 out of 3 match forcing a deciding game. In that game Fowler and Espinosa clearly had the momentum and went on to get the win securing their first ever Signature Series title.
Matt Ball and JR Reyes played well all day finishing 3rd while Ernest Herrera and Matt Longoria came in 4th. Brandon Gregor and Daniel Vinson tied with Zeke Gutierrez and Zeke Sr. to round out the top 5.
Tier 1 Open Doubles had Grant Upchurch and Johnny Seymour beating Bella Surprenant and Austin McCuistion. Tier II winners were Damren Kuykendall and Roel Salinas who beat Justin Winschel and Brian Weimer.
In Competitive Doubles, Joel Infante and Misa Gomez beat Payton Lopez and Michael Howard to get the win while Jerrod Sisson and Andrew Rainey finished 3rd. Jamie Willoughby and Allen Hooten came in 4th and Nomar Garcia and Brycen Diaz tied for 5th with Anthony Hudson and Chris Langston.
Social Doubles had Jay Humphrey and Joey Gonzalez taking the title as they beat Cody Hughes and Michael Hughes. Anthony Elliot and Kyle Monroe finished third and Al Uhse and Brandon Uhse came in 4th. Tied for 5th were Dennis Davis and partner Nick Aven and Skip McCain and Derek Paul.
There were many great matches and some outstanding new players from what seems like everywhere. I know the West Texas group put on a show and certainly have put themselves on the map.
In Open Singles Bella Surprenant held off Brandon Gregor to get the win. Justin Fowler, Ernest Herrera came in 3rd and 4th respectively while Christina Espinosa and Braiden Fink tied for 5th.
Tier 1 Open Singles had JC Nekuza beating Kenneth Johnston and Tier II was won by Matt Zonker who beat Angel Cruz.
In Competitive Singles, Joel Infante got past Logan Baker for the win with Michael Gomez finishing in 3rd. Fourth place went to Jeff Henderson while Daniel Rodriguez and Zeke Gutierrez Sr. tied for 5th.
Brent Holly won the Tier 1 Singles beating Eric Smith and in Tier II it was Jaime Willaby defeating Dino Reyna.
Social Singles had Jason Price beating Michael Hughes for the championship. Josh Davis came in 3rd and Dustin Sprague finished 4th. Tied for 5th were Skip McCain and Armando Jimenez.
In Social Tier 1 Singles Braeden Bomer beat Jesus Pando and in Tier II it was Chase Robinson beating Eric Nichols.
The Signature Series #2 Mesquite Texas Ace Points Event was about as good of a event that I've been to. The competition continues to strengthen and there are more and more players showing up. With over 600 players playing in several divisions, it's clear TCL has a really good thing going. Next up will be the most intense tournament of the year, TCL's Ryder Cup. Every year this event gets bigger and bigger and I look for that trend to continue in January.
See y'all in Denton, throw 'em straight!
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