Keith Callander was 19 when he began playing racquetball in 1979 in Abbotsford. He soon became an elite player in B.C. and was ranked seventh when he died last January after battling ALS.
Keith’s memory will be honoured with the Keith Callander Open this weekend at Rosters Sports Club.
After 20-plus years of being known as the Splatfest Racquetball Tournament, organizers and players voted unanimously to change the name to the Keith Callander Open.
Callander always promoted the sport of racquetball through his demeanour and sportsmanship on the court as well as his willingness to assist any level of player to improve their game.
“Keith was one of those unique individuals that was liked by everyone and definitely paid it forward,”, said tournament co-director Doug Ross.
Callander was ranked as high as 47th in Canada and after 35 years of playing and competing, he was ranked 87th in Canada and in the top-30 for players 50+ in Canada.
He was diagnosed in March of 2016 with one of the most aggressive forms of the disease. It was a wish of Keith’s that no one should ever have to go through what he experienced, so the tournament will be set up to take donations for ALS Canada research and treatment.
The Vernon event is one of the largest attended racquetball tournaments in B.C. with 60 registered players and more on a waiting list. Corey Osborne of Penetanguishene, Ont. is ranked 13th in Canada and Tanner Mattson of North Vancouver is rated No. 1 in B.C .and 17th in Canada.
They are expected to battle for the Men’s Open title again this year.
Action opens mid-day Friday and runs through Sunday.