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June 16, 2009

The 35th Annual Golden State Open

Mai GeJie Open Singles Champion

By Michael Boot, Tournament Director

May 23 & 24, 2009, Walnut Creek, CA - This year’s Golden State Open (GSO) featured many firsts. One was that there was an entirely new group of players competing in the Open Singles Final round robin for the $1,000 top cash prize. Another was the use of racket testing prior to almost all of the event finals; not a single racket failed. For the first time, a local Chinese-language television outlet covered some of the tournament action, and their reporter interviewed the Open Singles champion. Any Internet user in the world can access the video. Moreover, this outlet provided newspaper advertisements and radio Public Service Announcements to build interest in both the GSO and the host Concord Table Tennis Club. ABC Network affiliate KGO also ran PSAs about the tournament. Another important first was that Dr. Azmy Ibrahim graciously served as the Referee. Dr. Ibrahim had the expert help of four outstanding umpires: Yelena Karshtedt, Kenny Tien, Saul Weinstein, and Walter Witkowski; all did an outstanding job as always.

Butterfly and Paddle Palace were our major equipment sponsors, and several other local companies and individuals made significant contributions. Although there were slightly higher expenses, fewer players, and less sponsorship money than usual, the GSO still showed a positive net income. Thanks to all of our sponsors; we will be looking for many more next year.

There were just over 200 players competing in 20 events on 22 Butterfly tables. Special thanks go to all of the volunteers who made every aspect of the GSO run smoothly. It was especially efficient on Sunday as we approached the Open Singles Final Round Robin that began at 5:30 pm. A great many spectators and the media were on hand to watch the riveting play from finalists Du Chengyi, Zhang Weijian, Steven Wang, and Mai Gejie (the only woman in the group). All of the best-of-seven matches lasted at least five games, most of them close and action-packed. For example, Mai Gejie defeated Du Chengyi 13-15, 6-11, 11-7, 11-8, 11-4, and 11-7. She went on to defeat Zhang Weijian 7-11, 3-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-8, 9-11, and 12-10, and Steven Wang 5-11, 11-7, 11-8, 12-12, 9-11, and 11-5, to win the Open Singles and $1,000. Second place went to Steven Wang ($500), third to Du Chengyi ($200), and fourth to Zhang Weijian ($100). All players experienced the good/bad luck of over-top-of-the-net winners, edge balls, clean misses, outright winners, and great and not-so-great serving. The average rating for the four players was 2521, so we expected – and saw – some truly excellent table tennis.