“We usually have 40 to 50 players to participate in the annual Tennessee State Open, but despite bad weather across multiple states where they needed to travel, 26 veteran tournament players did register and played,” said J.R. Smith with the Checker Association. “These were top-rated players after the $5,000 prize fund paid out to all three divisions.”

North Carolina was well represented over the weekend, as all three divisions were won by players hailing from that state. There were seven players in all from North Carolina.

Grand Master John Webster of Stoneville, N.C. won the Masters division. Bobby Gerringer from Pittsboro, N.C. took the prize in the Majors division and Glenn Fuquay from Elon, N.C. won the Minors division.

“No individual dominated his division and all levels were hard fought, neck to neck to the very end with the winner emerging in the final eighth round in all divisions,” said Smith.

In the Masters division, this “neck-and-neck” status was evidenced by the final points tally for the top three contenders.

Webster, International Master Larry Keen from Halls, Tenn., and Grand Master Jim Morrison from Glasgow, Ky., finished in a three-way tie with 22 game points each, according to Smith. The deciding factor in naming the eventual winner came down to “honor points,” according to Smith.

Other states represented in the tournament included 10 entrants from Tennessee, four entrants from Kentucky, two each from Alabama and Georgia and an entrant from Ohio.

Also during the tournament, Keen was recognized as the 2015 Tennessee State Champion. Mike Choate from Madisonville, Tenn., and Harvey Powell from Hendersonville, Tenn., were crowned 2015 Tennessee State Majors Co-Champions and Ron Hensley from Madisonville, N.C., was named 2015 Tennessee State Minor Champion. Vonda Jones from Talbott, Tenn., claimed the title of 2015 Tennessee State Women’s Champion.

2015 Tournament Dates  | 2015 TN Open Results | Articles