by Leo Vasquez - USA Racquetball Media
December 15, 2008
The 2008 NY Long Island Open racquetball tournament was held at the Sportime Fitness and Racquetball Club in Syosset, NY. The 40,000 square foot full service health and fitness club is one of the finest on Long Island that includes 11 racquetball courts, basketball court, a sports pro shop and lounge/cafe area.
The Men's International Racquetball Tour (IRT) professional division saw No. 11 ranked Andy Hawthorne defeat the No. 21 ranked and legendary Ruben Gonzalez in the semifinals. In the other semifinal, No. 8 ranked Jason Thoerner defeated No. 61 Bradly Kirch. A seventeen year-old Syracuse, NY resident, Kirch has been sharpening his skills and has the potential to compete on the men's pro tour.
Hawthorne was too much for Thoerner in the finals and would win his first men's pro tour event this season.