The World Outdoor Racquetball Hall of Fame (WORHOF) Committee is honored to make a very special announcement...Legendary doubles star and pro, Mike Peters, has been inducted into the 2019 Outdoor Hall of Fame.
The multi-talented doubles specialist has played professionally for three decades and has won one or more major titles in every major Outdoor Nationals doubles category: pro men's, mixed pros; CPRT and the master's divisions (at the Nationals Outdoor Championships events held in California and Las Vegas). What makes Mike Peters so unique is that at these two National Championship events, he has made it to the semifinals or better an astounding 34 times. In fact, Peters has won 11 national doubles titles: 3 pro men's national doubles titles; 2 pro mixed national titles; 3 CPRT national doubles titles and 3 national master's titles. He also finished second 9 separate times at nationals and has been to the finals 20 overall times in his career at these events. And add 14 semifinals appearance and it caps off one incredibly talented career!
In Mike's storied career, he has beaten many of the game's most famous stars including indoor/outdoor pro legends Cliff Swain, Rocky Carson, Marty Hogan and Alvaro Beltran; Outdoor Hall of Fame legend's Martha and Greg McDonald; 6-time outdoor champion Robert Hoff; 3-time outdoor champion Josh Tucker and many other famous indoor pro stars including Jason Mannino, Ruben Gonzalez, John Ellis, Jose Rojas, Chris Crowther and Ben Croft.
Greg Lewerenz, WOR National Director stated, "Congratulations to Mike Peters on a phenomenal career consistently playing against the world's best in outdoor racquetball. Along the way, Mike was quiet, steady and almost perfectly consistent to anchor many of those teams. He is not only an incredibly talented player, but also a first class human being. WOR is proud to welcome him to the WORHOF and to recognize his extraordinary level of excellence over the course of his career."
Brett Elkins, chairman/co-founder of the WORHOF stated, “Mike Peters is racquetball's version of an ironman. He is someone that would "drive" players crazy because he rarely missed a shot or a point while making others fail after a never-ending rally and for that, he was the other player's perennial favorite teaming up with a storied amount of star doubles players. Mike Peters was simply the one player you could always count on to almost never miss a shot ...giving you a shot at the title. He was also instrumental in providing documentation for other greats as well."
Most importantly, please take a moment below to celebrate Mike Peters' accomplishments by reviewing his resume below. The induction ceremony will take place "outdoor style" as we stop play at the event that started it all--the famously fabulously fun and can't miss one of a kind event--The"World Outdoor Championships" which takes place in Huntington Beach, CA July 11-14, 2019 (with the Hall of Fame induction ceremony occurring in the afternoon around 2 pm on Saturday, July 13, 2019). We suspect that Mike Peters may also make a cameo in September at the famous Las Vegas 3WallBall Nationals which is also player famous for usually having the greatest player tournament food in the history of any racquetball event--the famed player buffet(s) at the Stratosphere Hotel and Casino so stay tuned for more information on these two classic events. Whether you play these events to support outdoor racquetball or come to watch and cheer on Mike Peters, we hope to see you there!
Mike Peters-WORHOFF Class of 2019
(Born on January 15, 1962. Mike has been married to Jill Fantazia for 26 years and has a daughter Molly who lives in San Diego).
“This multi-talented, doubles specialist has played professionally for three decades and has won one or more majors in every doubles category: pro men’s, mixed, CPRT and master’s at the Outdoor Nationals in CA and the Vegas National Outdoors. What makes Mike Peters so special is that at major Outdoor National Doubles (both at Outdoor Nationals and at Vegas Nationals) he’s made it to the semifinals or better an astounding 34 times. In fact, Mike Peters has won 11 major titles: 3 pro men’s doubles titles; 2 pro mixed titles; 3 CPRT doubles titles and 3 master’s titles. He has also finished 2nd 9 times in his career. In other words, he has been to the finals 20 total times in his career. And add to this 14 semifinals and its been one incredible career.” (Brett Elkins).
Below are some great Mike Peter’s quotes on his career followed by his incredible notebook from Outdoor Nationals-(held in CA):
- My Sponsors: “I was originally sponsored by Wilson Sporting Goods. I switched to Pro Kennex in 2006. I have always had great support from Pro Kennex president Mike Martinez.”
- My Most Fun Partner: “Playing with Freddie Ramirez in numerous tournaments and having a blast.”
- My Biggest Regret: “I would’ve liked to play with Brian Hawkes or Cliff Swain (Cliff said something about a cold day in hell…).”
- My Biggest Upset Win of All Time: “At the 2006 Outdoor Nationals, I beat legend Cliff Swain and partner Josh Tucker (thank you Jesus Ustarroz!). We did lose to Greg Solis and Craig Lane-- the eventual champions.”
- My Greatest Win: “In 2011, at the Outdoor National finals vs. Cliff Swain and Jason Mannino, I played with Alvaro Beltran and we lost 15-13 first game;down 9-0 in second; before winning 11-8 in the tiebreaker.”
- My Second Greatest Win: “In Nov. 2006, at the Pro Kennex Newport Beach Shootout, I played with Scott McMasters and we beat the current National Pro Men’s Doubles Champs Greg Solis/Craig Lane in the finals. They had won the pro doubles in 2004/2005/2006.”
- Oldies But Goodies: “At the 2018 Las Vegas Outdoor Nationals, I won the men’s 75+ division with Emmett Coe, beating Joey Salamone/Victor Salinas 15-13, 15-5 while coached by Charlie Brumfield/Dr. Bud.”
- More Oldies But Goodies: 1) “In 2018, at Outdoor Nationals, at 56, I made it to the finals of CPRT losing to Robert Sostre and Gabe Medina 15-14, 15-14...Ouch!” 2) At the same 2018 Nationals, I won the men’s 75+ divisions with Ravi Sohoi at a combined age of 106 beating Dale Valentine and Brian Pineda 15-5 and 15-6. ”
My Greatest Accomplishments (in no order):
- “In 2009, I became the first player (w/partner) to win Men’s Pro Doubles and Men’s CPRT 40+ doubles. This was the last year of the huge draws with 56 teams entered in the Men’s Pro Doubles division.
- “In 2016, with my new knee, at National Warmups in Hungtinton Beach, I played in 3 divisions and won all three. I won the men’s pro doubles w/Josh Tucker; I won the men’s 100+ with Gabe Medina and took first in the CPRT finals with Rick Koll. All three finals were played back to back on Sunday.”
- “From 2008-2012, in men’s pro doubles: I made the semis, won the finals; lost the finals; won the finals and then made the semis.”
- Cliff Swain and Jason Mannino: “I beat Cliff Swain and Jason Mannino 3 years in a row: 2009 (semis); 2010; (semis) and 2011 (finals).”
- “I won 2009 CPRT title with Kevin Booth in Tropical Park Florida beating Ruben Gonzalez and Vic Leibofsky in the semis and Marty Hogan/Freddie Ramirez in finals.”
NOTABLES DOUBLES PARTNERS (AND OPPONENTS):
“The doubles company that you keep or play against shows how good you really are (a famous saying):”
Doubles Players Mike Peters has beaten at Outdoor Nationals:
-In Mike's storied career, he has beaten many of the game's most famous stars including indoor/outdoor pro legends Cliff Swain, Rocky Carson, Marty Hogan and Alvaro Beltran; Outdoor Hall of Fame legend's Martha and Greg McDonald; 6-time outdoor champion Robert Hoff; 3-time outdoor champion Josh Tucker and many other famous indoor pro stars including Jason Mannino, Ruben Gonzalez, John Ellis, Jose Rojas, Chris Crowther and Ben Croft.
Doubles Players Mike Peters has played with at Outdoor Nationals:
-Mike Peters has played with some of the best outdoor doubles partners outdoor legends: Kevin Booth, Freddie Ramirez, Greg Freeze, Jesus Usterroz, Debbie Pierce; and pro stars Marty Hogan, Alvaro Beltran and Bret Harnett.
MIKE PETERS’ OUTDOOR NATIONALS JOURNAL NOTES :
(Mike’s vivid details below, include his notes on the outdoor nationals including the year, his succinct notes about his mindset, historical and contextual comments that he has shared with the committee and public on its request to publish this significant document).
Note: The bold listings below are Mike Peters’comments and do list the top finishes overall in the year listed (at Outdoor Nationals in Ca.)
The Beginning of My Career:
I started playing outdoor racquetball after picking up indoors in 1987. I had played tennis at Sunset High and later at Oregon State. In fact, I went to the same high school as current USA Pro/USA Jr. National Head Pro Coach Charlie Pratt (and we graduated 27 years apart!!!)
1995
- I won men's B singles at Outdoor Nationals in Orange County, CA.
1996
- I lost in A doubles to Joe/Jay. I played with Jimmy Fernandez.
- I beat Joe Perez to win A singles 11-15, 15-8, 11-5.
- In men’s pro doubles, Ring/Booth beat Greg Freeze/ Dan Southern 2 straight.
- In men’s pro doubles,Tony Jelso beat Brian Hawkes in singles.
1997
- I lost in men’s open doubles final with Greg Freeze to Genevey/Sandello 15-11, 15-8.
1998
- I lost in men’s pro doubles semis with Greg Freeze to Booth/Ring 15-9, 15-11.
- In men’s pro doubles, Solis/Solis came back from a 5-10 deficit in breaker to beat Ring/Booth.
- In men’s pro singles, Brian Hawkes beat Tony Jelso to win.
1999 July 24-25 (I got worked at the General)
- I lost in men’s pro doubles semi (with Greg Freeze) 15-13, 5-15, 11-8 to Solis/Solis.
- I won mixed pro doubles with Debbie Pierce beating Martha and Greg McDonald.
- In men’s pro singles, Brian Hawks beat Solis to win the singles.
- In men’s pro doubles, Solis/Solis beat Hawks/Lane to win doubles 11-6 tiebreaker.
2000 July 22-23
- Solis upset by Jeff Johnson 11-9 breaker (quarter final).
- In men’s pro semis, Brian Hawks def Kevin Booth; Greg Freeze def Jeff Johnson.
- I beat Solis/Solis in men’s pro double’s semi's 2 straight with Kevin Booth (later won finals).
- Pro Singles Final: Greg Freeze was up 12-7 over Brian Hawks before losing 15-12, 15-2!
- Pro Double Final: Booth/Mike Peters def. Medina/Alvaro Beltran 15-11, 15-12.
- Pro Mixed Final: I lost to the McDonald’s playing with Debbie Pierce.
2001 July 28-29 (Not working)
- I lost in pro doubles in semis to Solis/Solis with Freeze. 8-15, 15-12, 11-3.
- In pro doubles, Greg Freeze and I beat Hoff/Genevey 11-2 in breaker to win 3rd.
- Pro doubles final: Gabe Medina/Alvaro Beltran win open def Solis/Solis 2 straight.
- Pro singles final: Brian Hawkes def Solis 15-7, 15-8.
- I won 40+ doubles with Tim McGuire- 11-9 in a tiebreaker vs Paul Olson/Mike Hickman.
- I won pro mixed doubles with Debbie Pierce beating Eric and Rebecca.
2002 July 6-7 (Did not play; was in Sacramento/Tahoe)
- In men’s pro singles: Rocky Carson def Brian Hawkes 11-4 in breaker.
- In men’s pro doubles: Hoff/Genevery def Sandello/Sohoni.
2003 July 12-13
Pro Singles:
- Semi: Genevey beat Rocky Carson in 2 straight.
- Semi: Brian Hawks beat Solis in a tiebreaker.
- Final: Brian Hawkes crushes Genevery 0 and 4.
Pro Doubles:
- Semi: Gabe/Mike def Mike Peters/Booth in breaker 11-8.
- Semi: Hoff/Genevey def Rocky Carson/Schy Manzuri.
- Final: Hoff/Genevery def Mike/Gabe 11-9 breaker.
- Solis/Lane upset by Mike/Gabe 11-10 breaker in quarters.
Pro Mixed: Gaye/George def Booth/Pierce.
40+ Masters: Final: Hickman/Holland def Mike Peters/McGuire 11-10 breaker.
2004 July 11-12 (Did not play and was in Hawaii)
Pro Singles:
- Semi: Genevey beat Solis (Solis is DQ’d after losing 15-14, sore shoulder).
- Semi: Rocky Carson beat Brian Hawks in a tiebreaker.
- Final: Rocky Carson def Dave Genevey (Dave won first game) in a breaker.
Pro Doubles:
- Semi: Freeze/Martin beat Gabe/Mike.
- Semi: Solis/Lane beat Hoff/Genevey.
- Final: Solis/Lane beat Martin/Freeze in a tiebreaker.
40+ Masters: Pete/DarylYurick beat Booth/McMasters in a tiebreaker.
2005 July 9-10
Pro Singles:
- Semi: Brian Hawks def Cliff Swain breaker 11-4.
- Semi: Rocky Carson def __?
- Final: Brian Hawks def Rocky Carson 2 straight.
Pro Doubles:
- Semi: Hogan/Swain def Mike Peters/Booth 11-5 breaker.
- Semi: Solis/Lane beat Sostre/Ramirez 2 straight.
- Final: Solis/Lane beat Swain/Hogan 2 straight.
40+ Masters: Final: Booth/Mike Peters def Medina/Beltran 2 straight 15-4, 15-9.
2006 July 8-9
Pro Singles:
- Semi: Cliff Swain def Solis 2 straight.
- Semi: Rocky Carson def Willie Tilton 2 straight.
- Final: Rocky Carson def Cliff Swain 2 straight and both games went 13-13.
40+ Masters: Lost with Jimmy Banuelos 2 straight to Kiser/McMasters 2nd round!
Pro Doubles:
- I played with Jesus Usterroz. Beat Freeze/McDonald 9 and 13.
- Beat Tucker/Swain 11-9 breaker (quarters).
- Semi: Solis/Craig Lane def Mike Peters/Jesus Usterroz 15-7, 15-3.
- Semi: Rocky/Rob def Ruben/Ellis 2 straight.
- Final: Solis/Craig Lane def Rocky Carson/Rob Hoff 11-3 in breaker.
2007 July 14-15
Pro Singles:
- Semi: Rocky Carson def Freeze 2 straight.
- Semi: Jack Huczek def Solis 6 and 7.
- Final: Rocky Carson def Jack Huczek 7 and 4.
Pro Doubles:
- I lost with Ruben Gonzales to Tucker/Nguyen in quarters.
- Semi: Rocky Carson/Rob def Tucker/Nguyen 11-9 breaker.
- Semi: Solis/Lane beat Elle (John Ellis)/Rojas 2 straight.
- Final: Rocky Carson/Rob def Solis/ Craig Lane 8 and 9.
CPRT 40+ Final: Sandello/Johnson def Brett Harnett/Mike Peters 11-9 breaker.
CPRT $1500 prize money first time. $500 for 2nd place. Also TV coverage at racquetballonline.tv .
2008 July 12-13
Pro Singles:
- Semi: Rocky Carson def Cliff Swain 2 straight.
- Semi: Alvaro Beltran def Solis in breaker.
- Final: Rocky Carson def Alvaro Beltran 2 straight.
Pro Doubles
- Semi: Tucker/Nguyen def Booth/Mike Peters 3-15, 15-10, 11-6 breaker.
- Semi: Ruben/Alvaro def Rocky Carson/Scott McMasters.
- Final: Tucker/Nguyen def Ruben/Alvaro breaker. Ruben/Alvaro had 14-12 match point 2nd game.
- Solis/Lane lost to Alvaro/Ruben in quarters breaker.
CPRT: Mike Peters/Booth def Rick Sandello/Jeff Johnson 8 and 6. I won $1000!
2009 July 9-12
Pro Singles:
- Semi: Rocky Carson def Charlie Pratt 15-13, 15-13.
- Semi: Alvaro Beltran def Ben Croft 11-7 in tiebreaker.
- Final: Rocky Carson def Alvaro Beltran.
Doubles:
- Semi: Mike Peters/Booth def Swain/Manino 15-10, 9-15, 11-9.
- Semi: Rocky Carson/Mark Koidin def Josh Tucker/Son Nguyen tiebreaker 11-9.
- Final: Mike Peters/Booth def Carson/Mark Koidan 15-8, 15-12.
CPRT 40+ Mike Peters/Booth def Gabe Median/Alvaro Beltran 15-4, 15-7.
2010 July 8-11
Pro Singles: Final: Rocky Carson def Alvaro Beltran 2 straight.
Pro Doubles:
- Quarters: Mike Peters/Booth def Ben Croft/Rod Frontino 15-2, 15-9.
- Semi: Mike Peters/Booth def Cliff Swain/Jason Manino 9-15, 15-13, 11-2.
- Semi: Rocky Carson Hoff def Solis/Lane 15-11, 15-7.
- Final: Rocky Carson/Hoff def Mike Peters/Booth 15-12, 15-13.
CPRT 40+ Swain/Lane def ??? (we lost to Cliff Swain/ Craig Lane in semis 15-14, 15-8.)
2011 July 7-10 (Had 7 months off—post meniscus repair surgery)
Pro Singles:
- Semi: Rocky Carson def Greg Solis 11-5 tiebreaker.
- Semi: Scott Davis def Alvaro Beltran 11-8 tiebreaker.
- Final: Rocky Carson def Scott Davis 15-8, 15-8.
Pro Doubles:
- Semi: Mike Peters/Alvaro Beltran def Mike Orr/Brandon Davis 9-15, 15-5, 11-2.
- Semi: Cliff Swain/Jason Mannino def Ben Croft/Rod Frontino tiebreaker (don’t have the scores) .
- Final: Mike Peters/Alvaro Beltran def Cliff Swain/Jason Mannino 13-15, 15-13, 11-8.
CPRT 40+ Final: Swain/Lane def Mike Peters/Freddie Ramirez 15-9, 15-0.
2012 July 12-15 (I was the #1 seed in pro doubles with Alvaro and the #1 seed in CPRT).
Pro Singles:
- Semi: Rocky Carson def Solis.
- Semi: Nick Montalbano def Charlie Pratt.
- Final: Rocky Carson def Nick Montalbano.
Pro Doubles:
- Semi: Rocky Carson/Hoff def Mike Peters/Alvaro Beltran tiebreaker.
- Semi: Solis/Kevin Booth def ___???
- Final: Solis/Kevin Booth def Rocky Carson/Rob Hoff.
CPRT 40+ Final: Swain/Lane def Mike Peters/Freddie Ramirez (not sure the scores).
2013 July 11-14
Pro Singles: Final: Alvaro Beltran def Rocky Carson.
Pro Doubles:
- Semi: Rob Hoff/Rocky Carson def Brandon Davis/Jesus Usterroz.
- Semi: Alvaro Beltran/Daniel De La Rosa def Micah Rich/Jason Geis 11-5 tiebreaker.
- Final: Rob Hoff/Rocky Carson def Alvaro Beltran/Daniel De La Rosa.
- First game was a blowout by Alvaro/Daniel. Then Rocky/Rob won 15-14 and 11-10.
- (They came back from like 10-4 in the tiebreaker!!)
CPRT 40+ Marty Hogan and I lost to Cliff Swain and Craig Lane in the semis.
- I think they beat Dale Valentine and his partner in the finals.
2014 July 10-1 (6 months off and post knee replacement. Made CPRT semis 6 months after surgery).
Pro Singles: Final: Rocky Carson def Josh Tucker in 2 straight.
Pro Doubles:
- Semi: Craig Lane/Scott Davis def Ben Croft/Rod Frontino 2 straight.
- Semi: Cliff Swain/Josh Tucker def Rocky Carson/Jose Rojas 2 straight.
- Final: Cliff Swain/Josh Tucker def Craig Lane/Scott Davis 15-8, 15-0
- First ever “donut” (0 and 0) given in the pro doubles final (as far as I know).
CPRT 40+
- Semi: I only played CPRT doubles w/Pete Gouchi; we lost to Rick Sandello/Daryl Urich.
- Final: Craig and Cliff beat Kevin Booth and Dillon Silver in the final.
2015 July 9-12 (Did not play. Vacation to Istanbul and Greece).
2016 July 8-11
- Played Pros with Mike Orr. We lost first round to Bobby Horn and Robert Sostre.
Pro Singles: Final: Rocky Carson def Josh Tucker in 2 straight.
Pro Doubles:
- Semi: Rocky/Jesus Usterroz def Robert Sostre and Bobby Horn 2 straight.
- Semi: Alvaro Beltran/Daniel De La Rosa def Cliff Swain/Josh Tucker 11-6 tiebreaker.
- Final: Rocky/Jesus Usterroz def Alvaro Beltran/Daniel De La Rosa 15-11, 10-15, 11-3.
CPRT 40+
- Semi: Robert Sostre/Gabe Median def Mike Peters/Rick Koll 15-9, 6-15, 11-6.
- Final: I think Robert Sostre and Gabe Medina won but not sure.
2017 July ?? (Did not play. Vacation to Istanbul and Greece).
Pro Doubles: Final: Rocky/Jesus Usterroz def Alvaro Beltran/Daniel De La Rosa 15-11, 10-15, 11-3.
2018 July 12-15
Pro Doubles: I played Pros with Chris McDonald. We lost first round to Danny Lavely and Joey Salamone.
Pro Singles: Final: Luis Avila def. Brandon Davis tiebreaker.
Pro Doubles:
- Semi: Rocky/Jesus Usterroz def Brian Pineda/Emmett Coe.
- Semi: Josh Tucker/Brandon Davis def Patrick Allin/Rick Koll 15-3, 15-10.
- Final: Josh Tucker/Brandon Davis def Rocky and Jesus 2 straight 15-9, 15-7.
CPRT 40+
- Semi: Mike Peters/Koll def Usterroz/Valentine 13-15, 15-14, 11-7.
- Semi: Robert Sostre/Gabe Medina Def. Solis/Patrick Allin 15-13, 15-5.
- Final: Sostre/Medina def Mike Peters/Koll 15-14, 15-14 ugh!!!
Men’s 75+ (I won the Men’s 75 doubles with Ravi Sohoni. Here are the results):
- I beat Jonathan Clay/Rafael Fillipini 15-3, 15-4.
- I beat Bobby Friedman/Tony Burg 15-11, 15-8 Quarters.
- I beat George Barrera/Louie Orosco 15-2, 15-5 Semis.
- Ravi Sohoni and I beat Brian Pineda/Dale Valentine 15-5, 15-6 Finals.
2019 (I was inducted in the Outdoor Hall of Fame!!!)
LEAVING LAS VEGAS: (Results at Las Vegas Outdoor Pro Nationals):
2010: Pro Men’s Doubles. Played with Kevin Booth. Lost to Cliff Swain and Craig Lane in Finals.
2011: CPRT Doubles. Played with Robert Sostre. Beat Cliff Swain and Craig Lane 2 straight in semis. Beat Kevin Booth and Jesus Usterroz in finals, 11-5 tiebreaker.
2013: CPRT Doubles. Played with Marty Hogan. Lost to Cliff Swain and Craig lane in semis in 2.
2015: CPRT Doubles. Played with Freddy Ramirez. Lost to Greg Solis and Craig Lane in semis in 2.
QUOTABLES :
“Imagine playing with the best players in the world and winning 11 national titles in every doubles area including men’s pro/open, mixed, CPRT and masters. His resume reminds of Clubber Lane’s for his dominance over three decades.” He has also played a pivotal role with his Outdoor Championship notebook and his encyclopedic help in filling in the sport’s history where WOR tries to list the top four winners with his documented records. It is an honor to have his encyclopedic knowledge in the HOF.” (Brett Elkins, Chair WORHOF).
"Congratulations to Mike Peters on a phenomenal career consistently playing against the world's best in outdoor racquetball. Along the way, Mike was quiet, steady and almost perfectly consistent to anchor many of those teams. He is not only an incredibly talented player, but also a first class human being. WOR is proud to welcome him to the WORHOF and to recognize his extraordinary level of excellence over the course of his career." “ (Greg Lewerenz, WOR National Director).