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Table-tennis club search for competition

  • Published
  • By Airman Anthony Jennings
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Many people may fancy themselves a Ping Pong player, but the top two table-tennis addicts at Eglin say most people who think they're good at ping pong wouldn't last long against an experienced table tennis player. 

"Yes, it's basically the same game as Ping Pong," said Dennis Rackard, Acquisition Center of Excellence Operations Research analyst. "But to compare the two is like saying Goofy Golf is the same as playing 18 holes of real golf." 

Traditional table tennis matches are played with two to four players hitting a lightweight, hollow ball back and forth on a table, in a manner similar to tennis. Ball spin, speed, placement, strategy and tactics play an important role in a competitive table tennis match. 

"To most people, a match of table tennis would seem repetitive because it's so fast paced," said David Budenstein, 46th Test Systems Squadron and the number one player on Eglin. "They just see the ball going back and forth. They miss all the strategic ball placement, precise spin techniques and skill it takes to actually be competitive." 

Because skill sets can vary between amateurs and pros, USA Table Tennis, the national governing body for the Olympic sport of Table Tennis in the United States, uses a ranking system which provides players the opportunity to grow among peers at their own level. 

Mr. Rackard, the number two player on Eglin, began a table tennis club 10 years ago in the NCO club, but is now located at the Hedrick Recreational Center in Fort Walton Beach. The club is open to anyone who shares their passion. 

"With a simple desire to find some competition, I created a club with a lasting legacy," said Mr. Rackard. "We've since gained not-for-profit status, purchased more than $6,000 of club equipment and introduced the sport of table tennis to about 200 folks." 

Though they appreciate newcomers, he warns the club is centered on serious players looking to build their skills. 

"It just wouldn't be fair and not much fun to play against someone who can spot you 17 points in a game to 21, and still beat you 21 to 17," said Mr. Budenstein confidently. "It's great to have a ranking system because it gives you another level to look to. If you keep playing people who are a step behind you, you won't grow." 

The levels vary greatly, with beginners coming into the league with 100 points, where as the pros can have 2,800. On average, about a dozen serious players from across the panhandle gather three times a week, and playing at least seven to 10 hours. 

"My table tennis racquet costs $175," said Mr. Rackard. "It has different sheets of rubber on each side for different spin effects so I can spin the ball to the 'point of no return' against an untrained opponent. I still can't figure out why most newcomers walk in expecting to dominate."

Though Mr. Budenstein and Mr. Rackard admit they couldn't compete against world-class champions like China's Wang Hao, they enjoy the sport for the exercise and competition. 

"It's just plain out fun," said Mr. Budenstein. "It's physical enough in the thighs and upper arm area but not too dangerous for a man of my age. I don't hear too many stories of people getting seriously injured playing table tennis." 

There are side benefits to playing table tennis competitively. Traveling and playing in new locations was a luring aspect. 

"Any time I travel to a different city or state, I always check to see if there are any local clubs," said Mr. Budenstein. "It's a great opportunity to contend against fresh competition and learn a few tips along the way." 

Mr. Rackard, who has visited more than 20 table tennis clubs across the country, says that several FWBTTC members have competed internationally in places such as Korea, Japan, Germany, Jamaica, Philippines and China, as well as Hawaii and Alaska. 

"One of our guys participated as a referee at the Table Tennis World Championships in Japan," Mr. Rackard said. "Just because he's from Niceville, don't think he wasn't qualified. He's been a certified referee and coach for years. The FWBTTC re-kindled his interest in the sport and helped to polish his game back to near his youthful status as a 'contender.'" 

For those interested in becoming a table-tennis professional, there are clinics and coaching camps across the country, and Wesleyan University in Texas offers scholarships in table-tennis to the nation's top collegians. 

For those just interested, Mr. Rackard insisted that anyone who would like to try table tennis out as a real sport to check out the competition at Luke's place. There, on the original Eglin TTC table which has been supplemented with another nice table, a good game can sometimes be had daily during lunch. 

"Watch out for David Preston, he's one of ours and has been honing his skills to be pretty tricky," said Mr. Rackard. "If you really think you're good, are serious about the game, and can get by David Preston, come out to the FWBTTC."