April 11, 2024,
Davison Athletic Club——Davison, Michigan
Contents: Results of the three divisions with pictures of the champs and the second-place teams, completed brackets, and a tournament review by Cyrus Chinoy.
OPEN DIVISION
The Champions
Michael Voegtline and Ben DeGroot from Wausau, Wisconsin
Second Place Team
Kelvin Hatcher and Brandon Foster from the Detroit, Michigan area
Completed Bracket
A DIVISION
Champions
Cyrus Chinoy and Howie Webb from the Detroit, Michigan Area
Second Place Team
Trevor Keyes and Landon Beckers from the Flint, Michigan area
Completed Bracket
THE GLADIATORS
(A second division after the Open and A divisions were completed. All matches were one game to 21. If you lose, you are out.)
Champions
Ben Degroot and Tyler Davis from Wausau, Wisconsin
Second Place Team
Cyrus Chinoy and Howie Webb from the Detroit, Michigan area
Completed Bracket
Cyrus Chinoy’s Review of the 2026 Midwest Doubles
PADDLING WITH PADDLES!
The National Paddleball Association (NPA) presented the 2026 Midwest Doubles Paddleball tournament this weekend. The host of the tournament this year was the beautiful and long standing Davison Athletic Club.
Thank you to the NPA and tournament director Jim Price in organizing and coordinating this event every year. Jim did a great job in communicating to players about the tournament and running it with plenty of food and drinks. Thank you also in order to Jim Owens in coordinating the day and keeping matches running on time all day long and for his longtime commitment to the game of Paddleball.
Players from all over Michigan and parts of Wisconsin competed in multiple divisions in this round robin and single elimination event in trying to capture division wins. Like many years, this tournament included players of various skill levels and ages and included the highest level of fair and competitive play.
This year was no different and players battled on the courts all day long. Even though everyone wants to win, every player showed grace, honesty and integrity during their matches and would make a call against themselves if they did not hit a winning shot to the front wall. Many of the things that make this sport great…honesty, integrity and sportsmanship.
I was honored to compete in the A and Gladiators divisions with my long time “Ride or Die” doubles partner in Howie Webb (aka Snacks). We battled each and every match with some very high level Paddleball players.
We had some very good matches in our A division with all of the players/teams in this Round Robin, 1 game to 21 points, . Thank you to all the players in our division namely Trevor Keyes, Landon Beckers, Jason Beckers, Jim Price, Tonya Rose and Andrew Pappas.
Howie and I were fortunate to win all of our robin matches and made it to the finals, where we ended up playing Trevor and Landon once again, but this time in a full match.
Trevor and Landon played great throughout the entire match as both games went back and forth with both teams going on runs with plenty of great rallies and shots by all players. In the end, Howie and I were fortunate to win the match and were crowned the A champions.
Much respect to both Trevor and Landon as they both played great, hit amazing shots and not only showed their competitiveness, but also their great sportsmanship on and off the court.
Onto the Gladiator division, where teams are paired up in this single elimination, 1 game to 21, winner takes all title. This division included most of the players in the tournament and any team had an equal chance to grab the title.
Howie and I ended up playing in our first match, our close friends in our brother Kelvin Hatcher Jr and sister Tonya Rose. We all play each other all the time so it felt like any other match, only it’s tournament time. Our match went back and forth with each team hitting winners all match long and in the end, Howie and I squeaked out the win and advancing to the semifinals.
No surprise by us that Kelvin and Tonya played great like they always do. Always fun battling with your friends who are family. Great play Kelvin and Tonya.
In the semifinals, we were matched up against Trevor again and this time his partner Al Harris. This very experienced team showed us how Paddleball is played, with their depth of experience and creative shot making. Howie and I had to earn every point against this great team and we were able to win the game and move into the Finals.
Trevor and Al, you both are great players and we had a great time playing with you on the courts and the laughs and fun off the court. You both are true gentlemen and amazing Paddleball players.
In the Finals, we were matched up against our friends from Wisconsin, Ben DeGroot and Tyler Tate. Over the past few years, we have gotten to know many of the Wisconsin players and it’s always great when we all get together and are able to play some matches. Ben and Tyler got off to a quick start and rattled off some points and Howie and I battled back and got points of our own.
The game and match ended on a great dive, rollout kill by Tyler to give both Ben and Tyler the win and Gladiator division championship. Great playing by Ben and Tyler and awesome to get on the courts with you guys again. Congratulations fellas.
Howie, appreciate you brother and great all around playing by you. An honor to be able to play all these sports together as a team. Win or lose, it’s always a pleasure to play matches together with you my brother. I appreciate you.
I’m always humbled to play against so many talented players in all sports and especially in Paddleball because so many players, at various skills and at different ages are competing and bringing their own competitive fire to the game.
It was great to catch up with old friends again, competing with them on the courts and continuing to have great camaraderie off the courts.Thanks to the National Paddleball Association for putting on this fun and competitive event. Always a pleasure to get everyone together.
Peace to all.
