Spring Tournament - Hans Stocker

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Looks like we had a great Spring Tournament, at least it felt like that to me.

Participation was exactly the same as last year’s: 40 players in total. Last year: 24 women players,16 men; this year: 20 women, 20 men.

This time around I tried to split players into two skill-level Groups, A & B, but it only materialized with the ladies. Men, mostly feel that they are too good to play in a lower level of competition!. I only had three men players sign up to group B, and therefore had to cancel it. One bowed out of the Tournament, and the other two played in the single Men’s Group.

Group A Women had 9 players. Everybody played 6 games in a Round Robin format, and had one bye. We noticed some really fierce competition!, no prisoners were taken!.

Marie ended up on top with 75 points (with an assist from April, who played one game for her), followed by Paula Dean with 73, and Stephanie with 72. Connie with 71 and Kerry with 70 followed close behind.

Group B Women had 11 players. They all played 5 games in a Round Robin, and had 2 byes.

Pam Jepperson finished with the top score in this Group with 67 points; 2nd was Chris with 64, and 3rd Judie with 59. The two Marys’, Freudenberg and Whelan, followed with 53 and 52 points respectively. 
Other than that this group had to cope with the glare from the windows in the back, everybody looked like they were enjoying their games.

In the Men's Group of 20, all played 6 games; also in a Round Robin, but with no byes. Everybody (as was the case with the Women’s Groups) had a number assigned when registering to participate, and in that order.

Wade Morden ended up on top with a perfect score of 90! (equaling Myrna’s feat from last Spring), taking every point, and game seriously, as he always does. Jim Burton, a visitor from down the Valley, came in 2nd with 77 points, and Jacob 3rd with 76. Doug Jenkins and Jean Marc followed in a shared 4th place, both with 72 points. 

No trophies / medals / awards were handed out, and I think, none were missed. Jane took care of the water and snacks stand on both mornings, much appreciated by everybody.

Our Summer Tournament is tentatively scheduled for the second week of June, outdoors, very likely combined with a Social. The precise format of this event will depend on the number of courts we have available, number of interested players, and general desire. I am inclined to try pre-set pairs competition again, maybe in two skill-levels, but am open to suggestions.