JOHN O’GRADY
WINS THE ANGIE HAMBOUR MEMORIAL
BACKGAMMON TOURNAMENT
CHRIS BENHAM - FINALIST
Early
one bitterly cold Sunday morning in August, the 10th to
be exact, 16 players were ready to go. Some were more ready
than others as TERRY EFTHIMIOU did not quite make it. So
at 8:45 am, the time set for the draw by ALEX ATHANS, we
had 15 starters and someone with a lucky bye.
The
event was limited to 16 players and was sold out two weeks
before the early bird cut-off date much to the disappointment
of several players. This event is different to other tournaments
we play as it gives players the chance to lose once and
still win big. But lose twice and you are heading home.
The
difference between allowing buybacks and this method is
that losers have a predetermined spot where in a buyback,
if you do well and lose late, generally there are no spots
to buy back into. The winners side of the draw played for
9 points while the losers side played for 7 points. Isn’t
7 points just a killer.
The winners through to the third round were PETER GEELEN
(who knocked out CHRIS BENHAM), CLAUDIE VASSEUR, KOSTIS
TSOUKARIS and JOHN O’GRADY. CLAUDIE met JOHN after
that with JOHN eliminating CLAUDIE who then went back into
the losers side.
Perhaps
the most delicious irony of the day occurred when PETER
GEELEN met CHRIS BENHAM (who he had knocked out in the second
round in the winners side) in the fourth round of the losers
side, only to lose to CHRIS on his way to the top.
So
the final was between JOHN O’GRADY and CHRIS BENHAM.
Both players decided to postpone the final to the next club
night, Tuesday 12th August.
So
at 7:45 pm on Tuesday night at the ADELAIDE HILTON INTERNATIONAL,
JOHN and CHRIS squared off. CHRIS would need to win over
JOHN twice while JOHN needed to win over CHRIS just once.
This is because JOHN had not lost a match. And by 11:30
pm, the result was in: CHRIS won the first match 11-6 meaning
a second match was necessary. And JOHN won this match 11-9
to claim the glory, the trophy and the money.
Afterwards JOHN
said that he actually felt quite calm over all the 3 3/4
hours he played the final. And CHRIS was heard to say it
is the first time he has ever lost a final he has played
in.
Its worth noting, last year’s winner, JUSTIN FREYTAG
was out of state and unable to register and Finalist BILL
TOUBAKARIS had the bye but would tell us I am sure that
it was not the best of days for him.
Well, a great day was had by all, winners and losers and
we look forward to another great event in 2004.
