I was informed by Roger Blaine who attended Pete Schmucker's Checker Meet in Shipshewana, IN in May, 2015 that he met Dave Beachy who said he will host a GAYP Checker Meet on Friday & Saturday, February 26th and 27th 2016 in Sarasota, FL. The meet will be held at Dave's 2nd home at 1353 Oakview Drive, Sarasota, FL 34232, not his 5382 Bowers Street home. Dave's GAYP Checker Meet will start at 2:00 PM Friday afternoon and again at 8:00 AM on Saturday morning. Dave mentioned he plans to furnish a Friday evening meal, donuts & coffee Saturday morning, and also provide a nice lunch on Saturday. This will make a welcoming checker event because of all the activity in the Pinecraft Park where checker player use the park shelters and play. This park is well known for checker players. You may review Pinecraft Park. All the top Amish & Mennonite players from Ohio, Indiana, and Pennsylvania will be there, so bring a friend and join the fun! Also come early and stay over because this is a checker player's haven for pickup games. Yoder's Restaurant, 3434 Bahia Vista Street, Sarasota, FL 34239 is close by, just .4 miles / 8 minutes walking distance. Yoder's Deli, Post Office, and Subway are also near the restaurant. You should write Dave Beachy for any questions about this tournament. He has trouble hearing so telephone is not very feasible, nor does he use e-mail. I personally correspond with Dave by texting him at 941-376-8163. You should write or text Dave if you plan to attend. There are plenty of hotel and motels in the area which I looked on-line this time of year for a weekly rental in the $100-$150 per night range and most everything was already booked for 2016. Here are the ones I looked at less than 15 miles from the park: Comfort Suites Sarasota/Clark Station, Cadillac Motel, Lantern Inn & Suites, Regency Inn & Suites - Sarasota Bradenton, Motel 6 - Sarasota Bradenton, Sunrise Inn - Sarasota Bradenton, Sleep Inn Sarasota, Motel 6 Venice, Sunshine Motel Venice, Roadway Inn Venice. You will find more available hotels 40 miles away and at a little better price. You have the option of asking Dave to see if you can stay with a Sarasota home owner player who plans to attend or knows someone who has an extra bed. There are usually plenty of accommodations if you choose to bunk in with a player. You should search hotels in Sarasota early if you plan to attend. It's 770 miles from Greensboro to Sarasota, or 13 hours driving time, or a $400 round trip flight. Another good contact for information is Joe Weaver (330) 465-4025, email: summitframingweaver@yahoo.com The Pinecraft Park is located at 1420 Gilbert Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34239 | (map) | Amish/Mennonite Chat Line
Results:
Dave Beachy reported that 12 players competed in their Sarasota GAYP Checker Meet. The format was Round-Robin with 1st round as luck of the draw, thereafter opponents played whoever was available until each player finished their rounds or withdrew. This allows for slow players who wanted to play fewer but longer games. We suggested 90 minutes per 2 game rounds which most players played within these time limits. Betty & Dave hosted a delightful tournament with plenty of delicious meals, snacks, and treats thoughout the tourney including "homemade ice cream." No entry fees were collected but donations were accepted to support our tournament director and venue hostess.
Official results reported by text message 2/27/2016.