2024 Masters Doubles & IHA State Doubles
SCHAUMBURG, Ill. – The 2024 USHA National Masters and IHA State Doubles tournaments delivered a thrilling weekend of handball action, showcasing standout performances across multiple divisions. With many teams hailing from Chicago, the Central Region took home a number of national titles.
The defending 65+ Masters champions from California, Daniel Brennan and Matthew DeWeese, moved up to the Diamond Masters (70+) division and claimed another title. In a nail-biting final, they edged out Tom Martinez and Bob Lohmueller, winning both games by the narrowest of margins, 21-20, 21-20.
Chicagoland’s own Oscar Zamora and Nick Kerins captured the Golden Masters (50+) crown after a strong showing in the round-robin format. Heading into Sunday’s deciding match, they were tied with the powerhouse duo of John Henning and Leo Canales. In a hard-fought battle, Zamora and Kerins emerged victorious, overcoming an early deficit to win 16-21, 21-16, 11-2.
In the Seniors (35+) and Open Doubles categories, the team of Mike and David Munson stole the spotlight, delivering stellar performances in both divisions. In the Seniors final, the Munsons found themselves on the brink of a third game as Dane and Adam Szatkowski held a 20-17 lead. However, the Munsons dug deep, staging a comeback to take the second game 21-20. The Open Doubles final proved just as dramatic, with the Munsons winning a three-game thriller, 21-5, 12-21, 11-8.
The Veteran Diamond (75+) final saw the new pairing of Rob Nichols and Mike Stanley upset top seeds Merv Deckert and Rodney Fink. After dropping the first game 17-21, Nichols and Stanley regrouped to take the next two games, 21-12, 11-3, securing the title.
In the Super Masters (60+) final (finalists photo above), the seasoned duo of Dave Dohman and Scott Rosenthal proved too much for Tom Martinez and Bob Dyke, cruising to a 21-11, 21-8 victory.
The weekend’s results delivered our newest members to the USHA’s Grand Masters club: Dave and Mike Munson. Several others also moved closer to earning the prestigious Grand Masters title, an honor reserved for those who win 10 or more age-division championships.
A special thank you goes out to the Illinois Handball Association, Dave and Mike Munson, and the IHA Board for hosting a superb event. Thanks also to the event sponsors and everyone who contributed to making the 2024 Masters Doubles and State Doubles a resounding success. We look forward to returning to Chicago for more exceptional competition!
View final results and draws [HERE].
Watch replays of the exhibition court finals on the Illinois Handball Association’s YouTube Channel [HERE].
The 2025 USHA Masters Doubles will take place in Houston, Texas, February 7-9 at the Tellepsen Family Downtown YMCA.
SCHAUMBURG, Ill. – The USHA Masters Doubles and IHA State Doubles are in full swing at the Schaumburg Tennis Club with semifinal rounds played to determine Championship Sunday’s finals for each division. The courts were full of action, as top doubles from across the nation competed, as some late matches were decided by tiebreakers.
It will be an all-sibling contest for both the 35-plus Doubles and IHA Open Doubles, as brothers Dane and Adam Szatkowski face Dave and Mike Munson in each final on Sunday.
Going into the deciding match of the 50-plus (round robin) division, the teams of Leo Canales Sr. and John Henning are virtually tied with Oscar Zamora and Nick Kerins with two wins, no losses, 84 points scored, and 30 points scored against
In other IHA State doubles action, Lake Forest College players Audrey Peters and Jodie Keeling won the Women’s Open Doubles. Lane Feingold and Carlos Zamora won the A Doubles defeated James Cooke and Johnny Cooke.
After the conclusion of Saturday’s matches, players and their families were treated to a festive banquet held under a large tent on the club’s grounds. The unique twist this year came in the form of a food truck (BBQ Bad Boy), which provided a variety of delicious options for all attendees. Paired with the perfect fall temperatures, the relaxed atmosphere allowed participants to share stories, enjoy good food, and reflect on the tournament so far, further solidifying the sense of camaraderie among the handball community. The evening concluded with a raffle drawing of a 55″ TV.
With final matches lined up, Sunday’s matches promise to deliver even more outstanding handball.
75-plus: Merv Deckert/ Rodney Fink (MB/PA) v. Rob Nichols/ Mike Stanley (CA/TX)
70-plus: Tom Martinez/ Bob Lohmueller (CA/KY) v. Dan Brennan/ Matt DeWeese (CA/CA)
60-plus: Dave Dohman/ Scott Rosenthal (IL/IL) v. Tom Martinez/ Bob Dyke (CA/FL)
50-plus: John Henning/ Leo Canales Sr. (AZ/TX) v. Oscar Zamora
35-plus: Dave Munson/ Mike Munson v. Dane Szatkowski/ Adam Szatkowski
IHA Open Division: Dave Munson/ Mike Munson v. Dane Szatkowski/ Adam Szatkowski
IHA B Division: Robert Sharp/ Jesse Valera Jr. v. Robert Gracia/ Jordan Gracia
See the draw updates, results and match schedules [HERE].
Watch the exhibition court matches live on the Illinois Handball Association’s YouTube Channel [HERE].
The Illinois Handball Association (IHA) and USHA are proud to host the highly anticipated IHA State Doubles & USHA Masters Doubles Tournament from Friday, Sept. 27 through Sunday, Sept. 29, at Schaumburg Tennis Plus. This event will feature top handball players from across the nation, all vying for a prestigious national and state title.
This year’s tournament promises to be one of the most exciting yet, with fierce competition and top-tier talent. Athletes in both the National Masters Doubles and Illinois Handball Association State Doubles categories will compete for the ultimate glory on the handball court.
Player Check-In and Registration: Registration opens at 2 p.m. on Friday, with the first matches starting at 4 p.m. All National Masters Doubles participants must be current USHA members. Players can purchase memberships at the event or in advance online. Important Note: Please double-check your match times online leading up to your play. While changes are unlikely, they can still happen.
Saturday Evening Festivities: The excitement doesn’t end with the matches! On Saturday night, following the conclusion of play at 7 p.m., the Illinois Handball Association will host an evening of fun and camaraderie, featuring a food truck with BBQ from “BBQ Bad Boy,” and a raffle for a 55″ TV, which will be shipped directly to the winner’s home.
Sunday Finals: The final matches will take place Sunday morning, beginning at 9 a.m. Spectators are encouraged to attend and cheer on the finalists as they battle for the prestigious titles.
Spectators and participants alike can follow the tournament’s progress by viewing the draws and match schedules online [HERE] or at ushandball.org.
Good luck to all competitors as you compete for a National Masters Doubles title or an Illinois Handball Association State title!
About the Illinois Handball Association
The Illinois Handball Association is dedicated to the promotion and growth of handball across the state. Through tournaments, outreach, and support of players at all levels, the IHA strives to keep the rich tradition of handball alive and well.
The mission of the Illinois Handball Association is to promote the Perfect Game, Handball. We organize tournaments in the Chicagoland area throughout the year.
