(by Steve Hopkins)

ICC will be host to the 3-day, 4-star ICC Butterfly Winter Open on February 22-24.  This is the largest event in the Bay Area with entries expected to top 250.  The window to register is closing quickly but there is still time to sign up (the entry deadline is 2/17, though late entries may be accepted if space is available).

The ICC Sports & Recreational Center at 1507 Milpitas Blvd. in Milpitas California is one of the best table tennis venues in North America.  This is a 20,000 square foot facility with high ceilings and custom lighting designed for table tennis.  The red floor mat, ample space, Butterfly tables, and professional staff will combine for a smooth tournament in almost ideal conditions.

The Winter Open is providing over $5,000 in prizes with cash awards in eleven events.    There are twenty-five events total – with rating events from U200 to U2500, Men’s & Women’s Singles, as well as Juniors, Cadets, and Mini Cadets.   

ICC has been known for being home to elite players since it began.  There is a truly elite quality of play in many of their training camps and leagues and this event will not be an exception.  Currently there are four players over 2600 signed up for the Open (Chee Feng Leong, Yonghui Liang, Pu Zheng, and Ruichao Chen).  There are an additional seven players rated between 2425 and 2600.  In fact, there are seventeen players already registered who are over 2250.  It should be an exciting event.

Entry form can be downloaded here

Check in at ButterflyOnline.com for updates throughout the event