Ladies_Professional_Racquetball_Tour

Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour

Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour

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The Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour is the latest name for the women's professional racquetball tour. It features the world's best players and several events each season - running from September to May - that are mostly played in the USA.

History

Women's professional racquetball has existed since the 1970s but the women's pro tour began in 1980, when the Women's Professional Racquetball Association (WPRA) was created.[1] The tour was run by International Management Group, and did well in the early 1980s in part due to the great rivalry between Lynn Adams and Heather McKay. The WPRA lasted until 1994, when the Women's International Racquetball Tour (WIRT) was created.

In 2000, the United States Racquetball Association (USRA) took over administration of the WIRT, and renamed it the Ladies Professional Racquetball Association (LPRA). This led to significant growth under the supervision of the USRA, which had a three year plan for the LPRA.[2]

In 2005, the players took over control and ownership of the tour, and again it was reorganized and rebranded as the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization.[3] Shannon Feaster, a former player and marketing executive, served as the WPRO Commissioner from February 2006 to May 2011, when she stepped down to focus on her family. Gigi Rock was then hired as the new commissioner in July 2011.[4]

In 2012, the players decided to reorganize and created the LPRT with T. J. Baumbaugh as President and Andy Kulback Deputy Commissioner. Kulback resigned in October 2016.

Current season

2023-2024 (Tier 1 and Grand Slam Events)

EventChampionRunner UpSemi FinalistsQuarterfinalistsDoubles ChampionsFinalists
KWM Gutterman World Singles and Doubles Open Racquetball Championships

Highlands Ranch, Colorado
August 10-13, 2023

Mexico Paola Longoria
13-15, 15-3, 11-5[5]
Mexico Montserrat Mejía Mexico Alexandra Herrera
Colombia Brenda Laime
Mexico Samantha Salas
Argentina Natalia Mendez
Guatemala Gabriela Martinez
United States Erika Manilla
2023 LPRT Turkey Shoot

Lombard, Illinois
November 16-19, 2023

Argentina Maria Jose Vargas
15-9, 15-5[6]
United States Erika Manilla Mexico Montserrat Mejía
Mexico Paola Longoria
Mexico Alexandra Herrera
Colombia Brenda Laime
Argentina Natalia Mendez
United States Kelani Lawrence
Mexico Alexandra Herrera
Mexico Montserrat Mejía
12-15, 15-5, 11-9[7]
Mexico Paola Longoria
Mexico Samantha Salas
31st Annual LPRT Christmas Classic

Millersville, Maryland
December 9–11, 2022

Argentina Maria Jose Vargas
15-8, 15-7[8]
Mexico Montserrat Mejía Mexico Paola Longoria
Colombia Cristina Amaya
Mexico Alexandra Herrera
Mexico Samantha Salas
United States Kelani Lawrence
Guatemala Gabriela Martinez
Mexico Alexandra Herrera
Mexico Montserrat Mejía
15-10, 15-8[9]
Mexico Paola Longoria
Mexico Samantha Salas
Arizona Open

Tempe, Arizona
January 12–14, 2024

Argentina Maria Jose Vargas
15-5, 15-12[10]
Mexico Alexandra Herrera Mexico Paola Longoria
United States Erika Manilla
Bolivia Angélica Barrios
Mexico Montserrat Mejía
Guatemala Gabriela Martinez
Colombia Brenda Laime
Mexico Alexandra Herrera
Mexico Montserrat Mejía
15-9, 15-4[11]
Mexico Paola Longoria
Mexico Samantha Salas
Boston Open

Marlborough, Massachusetts
March 1–3, 2024

Mexico Paola Longoria
8-15, 15-11, 11-8[12]
Mexico Montserrat Mejía Argentina Maria Jose Vargas
Mexico Alexandra Herrera
Colombia Cristina Amaya
United States Kelani Lawrence
Bolivia Angélica Barrios
Colombia Brenda Laime
Argentina Natalia Mendez
Argentina Maria Jose Vargas
8-15, 15-10, 11-4[13]
Mexico Alexandra Herrera
Mexico Montserrat Mejía
Battle at the Alamo

San Antonio, Texas
April 25–28, 2024

Argentina Maria Jose Vargas
15-12, 8-15, 11-7[14]
Mexico Montserrat Mejía Mexico Alexandra Herrera
Mexico Paola Longoria
United States Kelani Lawrence
Guatemala Gabriela Martinez
Mexico Jessica Parrilla
Mexico Samantha Salas
Mexico Alexandra Herrera
Mexico Montserrat Mejía
15-7, 15-10[15]
United States Michelle Key
Chile Carla Muñoz
Sweet Caroline Open LPRT Grand Slam

Greenville, South Carolina
May 17-19, 2024

LPRT Battle at the Beach - Season Finale

Chesapeake, Virginia
June 6-9, 2024

Season Summaries (Tier I and Grand Slam Events)

SeasonWinsUS Open winner
2023-24 Argentina Maria Jose Vargas (4), Mexico Paola Longoria (2) -
2022-23 Mexico Montserrat Mejía (5), Mexico Paola Longoria (3), Mexico Alexandra Herrera, Guatemala Gabriela Martinez Mexico Paola Longoria
2021-22 Mexico Paola Longoria (6), Mexico Alexandra Herrera (2), Guatemala Gabriela Martinez Mexico Paola Longoria
2020-21 Mexico Paola Longoria (2), Mexico Montserrat Mejía No event due to COVID-19 pandemic
2019-20 Mexico Paola Longoria (7), Argentina Maria Jose Vargas Mexico Paola Longoria
2018-19 Mexico Paola Longoria (9), Argentina Maria Jose Vargas Mexico Paola Longoria
2017-18 Mexico Paola Longoria (7), Mexico Samantha Salas, Argentina Maria Jose Vargas Mexico Paola Longoria
2016-17 Mexico Paola Longoria (10), Canada Frédérique Lambert, Mexico Samantha Salas Mexico Paola Longoria
2015-16 Mexico Paola Longoria (11) Mexico Paola Longoria
2014-15 Mexico Paola Longoria (10), Argentina Maria Jose Vargas (2), United States Rhonda Rajsich Mexico Paola Longoria
2013-14 Mexico Paola Longoria (12) Mexico Paola Longoria
2012-13 Mexico Paola Longoria (11) Mexico Paola Longoria
2011-12 Mexico Paola Longoria (7), United States Rhonda Rajsich Mexico Paola Longoria
2010-11 Mexico Paola Longoria (5), United States Rhonda Rajsich (4), Mexico Samantha Salas (1) United States Rhonda Rajsich
2009-10 Mexico Paola Longoria (5), United States Rhonda Rajsich (2), United States Cheryl Gudinas (1) United States Rhonda Rajsich
2008-09 Mexico Paola Longoria (4), United States Rhonda Rajsich (4), United States Kristen Walsh Bellows (1) Mexico Paola Longoria

Rankings

Season ending top 10 rankings

More information Rank, 2005-06 ...
More information Rank, 2000-01 ...
  • Note - Christie Van Hees announced she was retiring at the end of the 2000-01 season, and was omitted from the season ending rankings despite winning two tournaments that season and being in the finals of two others. She certainly would have been in the top 10 that season.[25]
More information Rank, 1995-96 ...
  • Note - Marcy Lynch and Anita Maldonado tied for 4th in 1995-96.
More information Rank, 1990-91 ...
  • Note - Toni Bevelock and Molly O'Brien tied for 7th in 1992-93.
More information Rank, 1985-96 ...

Note: In the 1986-85 season, Terri Gilreath and Bonnie Stoll tied for 5th and Molly O'Brien and Sandy Robson tied for 7th.

More information Rank, 1980-81 ...

Most years in top 10

RankPlayerYears
1.United States Rhonda Rajsich22
2.United States Cheryl Gudinas21
3.Mexico Paola Longoria16
3.United States Jackie Paraiso16
5.United States Kerri Wachtel12
5.United States Molly O'Brien12
7.Mexico Samantha Salas11
7.United States Lynn Adams11
7.United States Marci Drexler11
9.Colombia Cristina Amaya10
9.Argentina Maria Jose Vargas10
11.Mexico Susana Acosta9
11.United States Kristen Bellows9
11.United States Adrienne Fisher9
11.United States Michelle Gould9
11.United States Caryn McKinney9

Players ranked #1 at season's end

Quick Facts

References

  1. "Video". CNN. October 29, 1984.
  2. "Racquetball: May/June '03 Feature". Archived from the original on 2003-08-02. Retrieved 2003-08-02. Racquetball Magazine article
  3. "2023 LPRT Turkey Shoot". R2 Sports. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  4. "LPRT Turkey Shoot - Doubles". R2 Sports. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  5. "LPRT 31st Annual Christmas Classic". R2 Sports. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  6. "LPRT 31st Annual Christmas Classic - Doubles". R2 Sports. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  7. "LPRT 2024 Arizona Open". R2 Sports. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  8. "LPRT 2024 Arizona Open - Doubles". R2 Sports. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  9. "2024 LPRT Boston Open - Singles". R2 Sports. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  10. "2024 Boston Open - Doubles". R2 Sports. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  11. "LPRT 2024 Battle at the Alamo". R2 Sports. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  12. "LPRT 2024 Battle at the Alamo - Doubles". R2 Sports. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  13. "End of season rankings 2023". Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour. LPRT. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
  14. "LPRT - Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour" (PDF). Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  15. "LPRT - Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour" (PDF). Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  16. "Ladies' Pro Raquetball - LPR Association". Archived from the original on 2006-07-03. Retrieved 2006-07-03. Women's Professional Racquetball Organization
  17. "Ladies' Pro Raquetball - LPR Association". Archived from the original on 2007-06-09. Retrieved 2007-06-09. Women's Professional Racquetball Organization
  18. "Ladies' Pro Raquetball - LPR Association". Archived from the original on 2003-02-14. Retrieved 2003-02-14. Ladies Professional Racquetball Association
  19. "Ladies' Pro Raquetball - LPR Association". Archived from the original on 2005-08-26. Retrieved 2005-08-26. Ladies Professional Racquetball Association
  20. Racquetball magazine, July–August 2001
  21. "WIRT Results". Archived from the original on 2003-06-07. Retrieved 2003-06-07. Women's International Racquetball Tour
  22. "Ladies' Pro Raquetball - LPR Association". Archived from the original on 2003-06-07. Retrieved 2003-06-07. Women's Professional Racquetball Association

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