By Tom Fitzwater & Mike Linnik 

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Mike has been playing competitive handball in the Bay Area since the 1980's. After winning the 35+ 4-Wall National Championship in 2001 against Jim Carkeek, he repeated in 2002 against the same player. The 2002 victory was an exciting 11-10 tie-breaker. 

His 10+ Open titles in the Bay Area include wins in Sacramento, the Olympic Club, San Mateo, Modesto, South End Rowing Club, and Santa Rosa. In 1995, Mike "slammed" in Sacramento winning both Open Singles and Doubles. His doubles wins include defeating a number of impressive teams including: Lennart De La Torre/David Wyrsch, Emmett Peixoto/Jim Peixoto, Gary Stedman/Francis Breining, and Lennart De La Torre/Chris Tico. 

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The longevity of his career is equally impressive having won Open titles from a 1994 Singles title in Sacramento to a 2014 Doubles title in Santa Rosa. The key to Mike's success is his phenomenal foot speed, his competitive desire, and his aggressive corner kills with either hand.  

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Mike battled and beat the top players in the world, from NorCal Hall-of-Famers to USHA Pro's. Mike is one of NorCal's top premiere player to every step on the court and compete in four wall handball. His quick aggressive play, his take-no-prisoners attitude, and his lightning fast reflexes have been appreciated by fans for decades. Congratulations and welcome to the NorCal Hall-of-Fame! 

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USHA National's: 

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2001 USHA 4-Wall, 35+ Singles, Mike McDonald d. Jim Carkeek (10-21),21-18,11-4. 

2002 USHA 4-Wall, 35+ Singles, Mike McDonald d. Jim Carkeek 11-10 tiebreaker. 

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USHA National Master's: 

2006 USHA Nationals Master Singles Los Caballeros, Fountain Valley 

2011 USHA Nationals Master Doubles, Minnesota, with Chris McDonald 

2018 USHA Nationals Golden Master Singles, San Diego 

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Pro Qualifier: 

1988 Nationals Berkeley, d. Dave Morones to qualify 

1989 Concord Pro Stop d. Pat Bowen to qualify 

1990 Spokane Pro Stop d. Tyler Hammel to qualify then d. Vern Roberts in the first round of the Pros 

1990 Houston Pro Stop Beat Larry LaCompte to qualify 
Note: Mike was ranked 13th on the Pro Tour at this time. 

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Singles: 

1988 Lake Chabot, Open Singles d. Larry Aguiar 

1989 Lake Chabot, Open Singles d. Fred Bancalari 

1990 George Lee, Dallas Texas, Open singles, d. Steve Bell 

1990 Houston Open, Houston Texas, Open Singles. 

1995 Olympic Club, Open Singles, Mike McDonald d. Rick Christian (19-21),21-16, wins tiebreak. 

1999 San Mateo Elk's Lodge, Open Singles, Mike McDonald d. Steve Kalpakoff

2009 Idaho State Championship, Boise Idaho, Open Singles, d. Eric Plummer 

2013 Sacramento Open, Open Singles, d. Lefty Suarez 
 
Doubles: 

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Hall of Fame: 

1989 Open Doubles with Jon Kendler Beat Doug Glatt/Jaime Paredes 

2013 Open Doubles with Chris McDonald beat Carlos Flores/Isidro Garcia 

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Memorial Day, South End Rowing Club, San Francisco: 

1989 Open Doubles with Jon Kendler d. Doug Glatt/Larry Morefield 

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Memorial Day, SOS Sportsman of Stanislaus Club, Modesto: 

2002 Open Doubles: Mike McDonald/Dave Vincent d. Juan Flores/Carlos. 

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Kauai Open: 

1992 Open Doubles with Chris Tico d. Al Sandoval/Lou Barberini 

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Top Gun, San Mateo: 

1988 Open Doubles with Billy Wyrsch d. Tom Gallegos/Mike Dunne Sr 

1993 Open Doubles with Rich Dunne d. Norm Dunne/Steve Kalpakoff 

2013 Open Doubles with Chris McDonald d. David Wyrsch/Lennart Delatorre 

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Superbowl, Pleasanton: 

1992 Open Doubles with Rick Christian d. Mike Conners/John Korzik 

2013 Open Doubles with Chris McDonald d. Shane Goyt/Danny Solario 

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Regionals at Big C, Concord: 

2008 Open Doubles with Shane Goyt d. Lefty Suarez/Luis Diaz 

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Turkey Shoot, Santa Rosa: 

2011 Open Doubles with Arturo "Lefty" Suarez d. Danny Solario/Dave Kennedy 

2012 Open Doubles with Arturo "Lefty" Suarez d. Jay Grenfell/Craig Lawrence 

2013 Open Doubles with Arturo "Lefty" Suarez d. Francis Breining/Gary Stedman 21-10,21-15. 

2014 Open Doubles with Arturo "Lefty" Suarez d.  Lennart De La Torre/Chris Tico 19,20. 

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Cinco de Mayo, South End Rowing Club, San Francisco: 

2017 Open Doubles with Erik Torres d. Jair/Jay Grenfell 

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Sacramento Open, Gold River Racquet Club 

1998 Open Doubles with Chris Tico d. Wayne Salo/Dave Vincent.