Iowa Handball has been the home of the Tallcorn Tournament since 1949. The tournament is hosted by the Des Moines Hinder Club and the Greater Des Moines YMCA. Over the years the tournament has been supported by many sponsors. Our current major sponsor is Owen Gloves.

Traditionally, the Tallcorn Tournament is held the first weekend in May. For 2010, the Tallcorn is scheduled for April 30th - May 2nd. Tournament information and an entry form can be found within the Tallcorn Tournament link. Come join us for a great handball tournament

The first official Tallcorn Handball Tournament was in 1949.  Since there were only four courts available it was limited to 16 single players and 16 double teams.  The Tallcorn name came from a YMCA volleyball team that was popular at the time.

In 1957 the YMCA moved to its current location.  The original design was for eight courts—four on top and four on the bottom.  However, not enough money could be  raised, so a heavier foundation was not constructed to support all eight and the top four were never built.  These original courts are number one through four and are referred to as the old courts.

During the 60’s and 70’s racquetball became popular and the demand for courts continued to increase.  In the late 60’s four new plexiglass courts were added to the Y.  About ten years later another four were completed.  During this time two YMCA handball players, Rod Farmer and George Riggins were very instrumental in getting these courts built.  The Des Moines YMCA now had eight beautiful handball courts!  To help pay for the new courts the Y initially charged several dollars for an hour of use.  At one time the phone company complained that telephone lines were becoming jammed in the morning when court reservations were made as everyone was calling to reserve courts.  This problem was remedied by also taking reservations at noon and in the evening.

After the Y had completed eight courts in the early 60’s the Tallcorn Tournament really became popular.  At that time the Dallas Invitational was considered the best and oldest tournament in the US.  It attracted the top players.  Ken Konkol and the Hinder Club wanted to make the Tallcorn as good as the Dallas Invitational.  With twelve courts the Des Moines Y was an excellent location and many top players participated.  During the 60’s and 70’s great players such as Terry Muck, Stuffy Singer, Phil Collins, Alvis Grant, Dave Greybill, Bill Yambrick, John Sloan, Jack Gordon, Gordon Pfieffer, Dennis Hoflander, Bob Peters, Jimmy Jacobs, and Paul Haber played in the tournament.  Current ranked pro players that participate every year include Marcos Chavez, Tom Little, and Tyler Hamel, Amando Ortiz, and Chip Morales.

The tournament has also fielded a group of top-ranked collegiate players such as Wade Brower, Curt Heiting, Steve Johnson, and Matt McLlaughlin .

The Des Moines Hinder Club has produced several national champions: Chuck Housman, Bill Luftman, Curt Heiting, Steve Johnson, Tom Kopp, Joey Petersen, Jesus Moran, and Jim Hartzell.. In December 1998 and 1999 Joey Petersen won the 11 and under division at the National Juniors tournament. Nick Ira won the 1999 National Three Wall 13 and under division.  Joey Petersen also won the 13 and under division at the 2001 National Juniors tournament and at the 2002 World Nationals.  And in 2009 Jim Hartzell won 65+ championships at the USHA National Masters, at the USHA Nationals and at the World Championships. 

Currently the tournament attracts about 100 Midwestern players including  20-30 juniors.

Des Moines handball players and the YMCA have worked together to teach and promote this great game.  The Hinder Club is over 50 years old and its 100 plus members all share the camaraderie and good times associated with handball.