Saturday, November 6, 2010 - Northwest Alabamian www.mynwapaper.com - "Alabama State Checkers Tournament next weekend"


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"Alabama State Checkers Tournament next weekend"

11/06/2010
by Jim Mayhall

Sports Editor

HALEYVILLE – Once again, Haleyville will be the site of the Basil Case Alabama State and 5th District Checkers Tournament, according to tournament director Larry Pollard, of Brilliant. This year’s event will be held Nov. 12-13 at the Galley Restaurant.
The event attracts not only participants from Alabama, but checker enthusiasts from around the country.
“Last year, around a dozen states were represented, and two years ago, we had one gentleman drive all the way from Colorado,” said Pollard. “I know a lot of the players like coming to Haleyville. They like the small town atmosphere, and I think they like being able to eat, sleep and play checkers without having to do a lot of traveling. The Galley has a real good playing room, and they have good food.”
Several of the best checker players in the world are expected to compete again this year, including Alex Moiseyev, of Dublin, Ohio.
States that are expected to be represented this year include North Carolina, West Virginia, Texas, Missouri, Mississippi and Tennessee. Thirty-three players participated in last year’s tournament.
The Alabama state tournament was renamed after noted checkers player, Basil Case, in 2008. The Haleyville resident was remembered as not only being a fine gentleman, but one of the best checkers players ever.
The competition will begin Friday at 10 a.m. with the Saturday rounds starting at 8 a.m. Local residents are welcome.


"Haleyville hosts state checkers tournament"

11/24/2010
by Jim Mayhall

Sports Editor

HALEYVILLE – Another good turnout of checker enthusiasts from around the country participated in the Basil Case Alabama Open and District 5 Checker Tournament. This year’s tournament was held once again at the Galley Restaurant with over 30 players from several states on hand for the two-day event.
Haleyville mayor Ken Sunseri and mayor pro-tem Richard Bittinger were on hand to welcome the visitors,
“I think it was the best tournament we’ve ever had. It was so close; almost anybody could have won the Masters,” stated organizer Larry Pollard. “We had several new players attend this year.”
Larry Keen, of Halls, Tenn., came away with the 2010 District 5 championship in the Masters division, and Harvey Kelley, of Calhoun, Ga., was district runner-up. Pollard repeated as Alabama state champion.
Mike Choate, of Madisonville, Tenn., laid claim to the Alabama/District 5 Majors title with Lynn Steelman, of Crandall, Ga., taking second.
In the District 5 Minors division, Gayle Helterbrand, of Cabool, Mo., placed first. Wilma Wolverton, of Grain Valley, Mo., was second; Danny Hughes, of Niota, Tenn., placed third; Elbert Jones was fourth; and James Atkins, of Julian, N.C., placed fifth.
“We had some of the best players in the world here in Haleyville. I think we had seven state champions attend this year,” added Pollard. “Wayne Gober from Oklahoma was here. He is one of the best in the world, along with Harvey Kelly from Calhoun, Ga. He can play with anybody.”
“I just want to let everybody in Haleyville know we appreciate all of the help,” Pollard said. “We had a lot of participation from businesses with door prizes and such, and we appreciate it. We’ve been here five years, and the players like coming here.”
Players in each division are as follows:
Masters
1. Frank Davis, Clarksville, Tenn.; 2. Wayne Gober, Shawnee, Okla.; 3. Clyde Hallmark, Russellville; 4. Larry Keen, Halls, Tenn.; 5. Harvey Kelley, Calhoun, Ga.; 6. Roy Little, Oklahoma City, Okla.; 7. Larry Pollard, Brilliant; 8. Dallas Ramsey, Pine Hill; 9. Teal Stanley, Greensboro, N.C.; 10. Earle Sweatmom, Kaufman, Texas; 11. Albert Tucker, Minden, La.
Majors
1. Jerry Askins, Monticello, KY.; 2. Bobby Blankenship, Guys, TN.; 3. Mike Choate, Madisonville, Tenn.; 4. Clifford Daniels, Preston, Miss.; 5. Roy Harben, Corinth, Miss.; 6. Earl Harvell, Princeton, Texas; 7. Leonard Hickman, Culleoka, Tenn.; 8. Shelby Mays, Corbin, KY; 9. Foy Persell, Florence; 10. Harvey Powell, Hendersonville, TN.; 11. Ken Shultz, Cosby, Tenn.; 12. J.R. Smith, Greensboro, N.C.; 13. Lynn Steelman, Crandall, Ga.; 14. Ted Williamson, Kenova, W.V.
Minors
1. James Atkins, Julian, N.C.; 2. Gayle Helterbrand, Cabool, Mo.; 3. Danny Hughes, Niota, Tenn.; 4. Elbert Jones, Carthage, TX; 5. Jimmy Robbins, Haleyville; 6. Wilma Wolverton, Grain Valley, Mo.
Final standings courtesy of J.R. Smith and nccheckers.org


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