2009 South Australian Open

Twenty (20) players including 3 from interstate fronted at 8:30 am in the almost deserted lobby lounge of the Hilton in Victoria Square in the centre of Adelaide. Dale Kerr, Larry Maestro and Tony Walker made the pilgrimage. Being 20 starters, we had a field of 32 with 12 byes. This meant buy backs were not possible, in the interests of finishing on the day. However, we did have an Unlimited Free Entry Consolation Tournament for those knocked out of the main flight.

Those "lucky" enough to have to play an extra round were Nick Begakis and Angelo Ali (Angelo won), Peter Geelen and Tony Walker (Peter won), Terry Efthimiou and Claudie Tromp (Terry won) and Elke Lewandowski and Don Schulz (Don won).

The final 8 consisted of Larry Maestro, Vassilis Toubakaris, Peter Geelen, Val Logins, Shane McNally, Chris Benham, Don Schulz, Siegfried Pohlenz.

This was reduced to Vassilis, Peter, Chris and Don and finally between Peter Geelen and Chris Benham, both multiple SA OPEN CHAMPIONS.

The score sheet says it all - Peter was not able to get "into the game" and Chris made it seem so straightforward, which of course it is not, particularly against a player as strong as Peter Geelen.
So congratulations to CHRIS BENHAM, runner up last year, winning 15-3.

The Consolation extended to 64 multiple entries. Nick Begakis entered 9 times, Elke Lewandowski and Claudie Tromp 6 times, Jack Clark, Val Logins, Seigfried Pohlenz 5 times and John O'Grady, Angelo Ali and Shane McNally, 4 times. These hardy souls battled it out all day with the final four being John McLean, Dale Kerr, Vassilis Toubakaris and Tony Walker. The final was between John McLean and Tony Walker and again the score sheet says it all. 5 point matches are a killer and John must have thought he was on his way but Tony came back from behind with the cube on two winning a gammon to take the Consolation Tournament.
So congratulations to TONY WALKER, winning 5-3.

31st South Australian Backgammon Open February 15, 2009; Adelaide, South Australia CHAMPIONSHIP (20): 1-Chris Benham (SA); 2-Peter Geelen (SA); 3/4-Don Schulz (SA) / Bill Toubakaris (SA); 1C-Tony Walker (NSW); 2C-John McLean (SA)

Photos - click on photo for full size image. Photos courtesy Nick Begakis.