The tournament is run according to NSW ASPA rules except that a "handicap" champion is determined, as well as an "open" champion, by using a spreadsheet which accepts game scores that have each player's club handicap included. The handicap is the current Monday tournament one, or otherwise one given by the tournament director. Consequently, each player should have an equal chance of becoming "handicap" champion.
This year, 15 W.O.R.D.S. members were able to attend. Unfortunately, Keith Bioletti (currently our highest ranked tournament player) had work commitments and Merle Young was struck down by the flu. The person with the bye was kept busy by being the computer operator for challenges, which was quite an educational experience for some of the Thursday ladies who had never played a "serious" tournament. However, things ran smoothly with Rene working overtime on her spreadsheet entries between rounds, while Graeme had the easier job of entering results into the Swiss program.
After eight rounds with a break for lunch, the results were as follows:
Club Open Champion -7wins- Graeme Lock Lee (last year's "handicap" champion)
Runner-up -6wins- Rene Chelton (last two years' open champion)
3rd place (margins)-5wins- Esther Rolfe (the bolter)
Handicap Champion Therese Bruce
Runner-up Dell Callinan
3rd place Val Ryan
Highest game 509 Graeme Lock Lee
Highest word 109 "ANOINTS" Val Ryan
Graeme continued his recent lucky run in tournaments and Rene needed only another win to gain a hat-track of open championship trophies (on margins). Jean Balmer's welcome return after a long spell on the sidelines with illness proved to be decisive. Looking sharper than ever, Jean was able to manage wins against Rene and Esther and gave Graeme a scare. Other highlights included Esther's good run despite her normal tendency to tire during a long tournament. The home environment obviously allowed Esther to diplay her true form. Ros managed wins (on handicap) against the three players ranked above her, which showed that with just a few more points (4 against Graeme, 8 against Rene) she would have been challenging for honours. Other highlights included 5 wins by Yvonne from the Thursday meetings and Jeff Chelton beating Graeme by 434 to 299 only to be punished by the ladies Rene, Esther, Val and Ros. It was good to see a new face pick up the handicap trophy. Congratulations Therese. Rene again did a marvellous job in acquiring some impressive tropies for the club champions to keep along with the perpetual shields.
Other awards were presented for the highest game and highest word scored throughout the year. These were:
Highest Game on Mondays 635 Rene
Highest Game on Thursdays 525 Val
Highest Word on Mondays 167 "INVESTED" Val
Highest Word on Thursdays 92 "VESTING" Yvonne