WPH Handball Destination Series Showcases St. Louis Handball
WPH Showcase, St. Louis, MO
The WPH is excited to continue the WPH Handball Destination Series to showcase the world’s greatest handball cities and venues. On this edition of the WPH Handball Destination Series, we will feature the St. Louis handball, home to the 2024 Race 4 Eight Chapman Memorial and to the “handball only” St. Louis Hinder Club, in addition to Forest Park and Kirkwood Park.
St. Louis WPH Destination Series
4-Wall Courts in St. Louis
Hinder Club
- 7 courts
- Singles and doubles
- Mostly small ball with occasional local indoor big ball tournaments. The Hinder Club has a handful of big ball members.
- Most popular times to play: Wednesday nights and Saturday mornings – the club is open 24 hours for members to play.
- 120 players at the Hinder Club
- The top players at the Hinder Club are Kevin Pettus, Jeff Streibig, Dave Streibig, Jim Ward, Suz Entzeroth
- Hinder Club community leader: Eric Hilgren
- Tournaments: Missouri State Singles, Missouri State Doubles, and a Hinder Club House tournament.
- Current and past pros at the Hinder Club: Jeff Streibig, Kevin Pettus, Dave Chapman, Eric Hilgren, Bill McGrevey, Dave Streibig
- Most memorable tournament at the Hinder Club: 2022 USHA Masters Doubles
- Guests are welcome at the Hinder Club
- The Hinder Club is handball
- Two current Hinder Club members have world championships- Dave Streibig, Jim Ward
“I like playing at the Hinder Club because it is open 24/7 and you can always find a competitive game,” stated R48 #16 pro and Hinder Club member Jeff Streibig. “The courts are plaster and the floors are good. The club has great amenities. We have generations of players of all skill levels. Always a good time and good games to watch.”
Other 4-Wall Clubs in St. Louis
JCCA: Five 4-Wall courts with a handful of players.
Outdoor Handball in St. Louis
Forest Park
- Four 3-Wall, courts, two 4-Wall courts (outdoor)
- The 3-Wall courts are oversized and made of wood
- Singles and doubles, but mostly doubles
- 3-Wall is Big Ball, 4-Wall is Small Ball and Big Ball
- Most popular times of to play: Weekends in the summer
- 35 players at Forest Park
- Top players at Forest Park: Jake Pelech, JR Jones, Byron, Ram, Carl Mccain
- Forest Park community leader: RP Murphy
- Current and past pros at Forest Park: Dave Chapman
- Best/most memorable matches at Forest Park? Timbo vs. Chapman HERE and Carl Mccain vs Joe Durso
“I like playing at Forest Park because it’s a great crowd of people,” stated Streibig. “Different kind of Big Ball energy. It is in the middle of a very large park in downtown St. Louis.”
Kirkwood Park
- Two 3-Wall courts (newer courts with no ceilings in a nice park)
- Both Singles and doubles
- Both Small ball and big ball are played at Kirkwood
- Most popular times to play: Saturday and Sunday mornings during warm weather months
- Number of players at Kirkwood Park: 40
- Current and past pros at Kirkwood Park: Jeff Streibig, Kevin Pettus, Eric Hillgren
- Top players at Kirkwood Park: Jeff Streibig, Kevin Pettus, Will Lemp, Mike Benkelman, Eric Hillgren
- Kirkwood Park community leaders: Jim Smith and Richard Lynch
- Kirkwood Park tournaments: Kirkwood 3 Wall Tournament- Doubles small ball and big ball
“I like that St. Louis has so much handball history,” stated Race 4 Eight Chapman Memorial tournament director and Hinder Club community leader Eric Hillgren. “Many of the greats have played here, Jimmy Jacobs, Paul Haber, Stuffy Singer. The community is unlike any other with its cast of characters from all walks of life and places to play in and around the city. What’s unique is that you can catch a 3-Wall game outdoors at Forest Park, Kirkwood and then indoor 4-Wall at the St. Louis Hinder Club with its 50-year history as a club. My coach, Tommy Burnett used to say handball is 90% social and 10% handball and I believe that to be true. Don’t get me wrong there’s phenomenal handball going on but to attend a State tournament with guys from all over the state including the legendary Missouri State University Handball team and all the locals, it’s an atmosphere of top tier camaraderie. Even on a random Tuesday night you might catch a game and visit with players afterwards and have the best time. Many have formed lifelong friendships and consider each other extended family and that’s what makes the sport so great! It’s incredible to hear the stories! Some have seen the greats like Haber and Jacobs play at the JCCA during national tournaments. Some talk about Chapman’s games against Durso and Timbo at the famed 60×30 wooden 3wall courts. Or Chapman’s hands against racquet/paddle games with Marty Hogan at the Missouri Athletic Club. Stories of Billy Goldstein’s and David Chapman’s long list of state titles. The rivalry between Kevin Pettus and Tommy Little. Up to now, seeing Jeff, Max and Sam battling for state titles. Also having Killian, Luis, and Martin hit the bottom boards in the showcourt at the current club, it’s a rich history that deserves its recognition!”
Thank you to Jeff Streibig and Eric Hillgren for sharing info and what they love about handball in St. Louis.
Would you like to see your handball facility featured on an upcoming edition of WPH Handball Destination Series? Please contact David Fink at David.fink@wphlive.tv to showcase your city
Check out all of the WPH Destination Series HERE
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer