Alabama Open & District 5 Results

16 Players:  8 Masters, 7 rounds of Swiss - 8 Majors, 7 rounds of Round-Robin, representing 9 states - $2,895 prize fund.  Donors: Joe McDaniel, Albert Tucker, Dallas Ramsey, Larry Keen, Frank Davis, and Clyde Hallmark.  We took up a collection for Kelly Pollard. Kelly did an outstanding job planning, organizing, and coordinating the tournament.  She had two tables full of nice door prizes, which included Alabama "Crimson Tide" hats, knit beanies, T-shirts, etc. and a lot of other stuff. Apparently she solicited many Winfield, Brilliant, Guin, and Haleyville merchants. Everyone received a visitors' welcome bag, complements of Guin Area Chamber of Commerce. There were several tables of checker picture & scrap books, Alabama checker memorabilia featuring Larry Pollard's long checker playing career. Old and new checker newspaper articles. The Guin's mayor, Max Maddox welcomed us and many friends, and Larry's family members were at the memorial presentation. Frank Davis presented a plaque to Kelly Pollard in memory of Larry. This was a fitting occasion to honor and celebrate the life of a fine gentleman and master checker player. Holiday Inn Express was a very nice venue with hot coffee all day long in the large playing room, Kelly had snacks, water, drinks, veggie / fruit trays, cracker & cheese, cookies, available both days, in addition to the BBQ lunch Friday, and a Saturday meal.  CBS 42 News covered the tournament Saturday morning and interviewed Alex Moiseyev, Dallas Ramsey, and several other players which I will provide a TV video link to this coverage when I get it.  Frank Davis, Tournament Director and Mary Davis, Score-keeper did as usual, conducting an excellent tournament. Most players enjoyed "Grille 22" which is located in the hotel and adds to a pleasant dining experience. This is convenient, great service, good choice for breakfast, lunch, & dinner at a reasonable price. They offered a nice, fresh salad bar at dinner with excellent menu choices. They also have a nice popular bar 11AM - 2PM for those who want a cocktail, beer&shot, or a glass of wine. Our new District 5 Manager is Dallas Ramsey and next year's AL/D5 Tournament will be held the 2nd weekend of November as (Friday & Saturday) 11/10th - 11/11th, 2017 and we plan to use this same hotel, Holiday Inn Guin (map).  

Masters:

1 Alex Moiseyev -18 tied with Larry Keen in game points, Co-Champion Winners

1 Larry Keen - 18 recognized as the District 5 Champion and awarded $100 in addition to his prize fund money.

3 John Webster - 17

4 Jim Morrison - 15

5 Michael Holmes - 14

6 Teal Stanley - 11 tied in game points for 6th place

6 Albert Tucker - 11 tied in game points for 6th place

8 Watson Franks - 8 Volunteered to play up from Majors to Masters. Watson won Minors at the 2016 3-Move Nationals in Branson, MO. There was a number of agreed draws in the 7th round in both the Masters and Majors, thinking Alex won the tournament since paired with Watson in the final round. Watson and Alex played their last round and Watson Franks drew both games, as Alex offered a draw in their last game which Watson accepted.  I hope Alex will post these two games.

Majors:

1 Mike Choate - 21

2 Lynn Steelman  - 19

3 Bobby Blankenship - 16 tied for 3rd place

3 Dallas Ramsey - 16  tied for 3rd place, & recognized as The New 2016 Alabama State Champion and awarded $100 in addition to his prize fund money.

5 Harold Thornton - 11

6 John Gibson -13

7 Clyde Hallmark - 9

8 JR Smith - 5 (withdrew after 3rd round) 

Dallas Ramsey is our new District 5 Manager. Frank & Mary Davis will bid the 2017 GAYP National for Lebanon, TN with Jim Morrison as Prize Fund Chairman who solicited $800 at this tournament.  I will post more details later. Mary will mail the finish & cross-tables in a few days which I will post on this page as a jpg file.

2016 Tournament Dates