Shirley Eager, District 5 Secretary
The District 5 Tournament of Champions has concluded and history was made. To qualify for the Tournament of Champions a person must have placed in the top 4 in the Championship or Consolation Divisions of the Singles or Any Doubles Tournaments. When a person qualifies, they receive a 5-year invitation to attend this prestigious tournament that is hosted by the Desert Crest Shuffleboard Club in Desert Hot Springs and the winners receive a lifetime invitation to the Tournament of Champions.
This year 32 women and 40 men competed in the single elimination tournament. Safari Park in Palm Springs had 3 of their members in the finals and one who previously was a member of their Park. District 5 President Gene Eager presents 
the Ladies Division winner, Safari’s Helen Fraser who played 94-year old Mildred Story from Tramview Park in Cathedral City for the championship. Third in the Ladies was Diane Johns, Royal Palms, Cathedral City and fourth went to Linda Nielsen, Desert Crest, Desert Hot Springs. Making District 5 Tournament of Champions history was John Ellis, 
who plays as an Independent, previously playing with the Safari group. John and Earle Maze, Tramview, who won the tournament last year, both had won the tournament 3 times prior. With John’s win at this year’s TOC, he has won the championship more than any other person. Allen Sliger, Safari, was runner up and third place was won by Bud Linquist, Royal Palms with 4th place being won by Wayne Duncan, also from Safari.
the Ladies Division winner, Safari’s Helen Fraser who played 94-year old Mildred Story from Tramview Park in Cathedral City for the championship. Third in the Ladies was Diane Johns, Royal Palms, Cathedral City and fourth went to Linda Nielsen, Desert Crest, Desert Hot Springs. Making District 5 Tournament of Champions history was John Ellis, who plays as an Independent, previously playing with the Safari group. John and Earle Maze, Tramview, who won the tournament last year, both had won the tournament 3 times prior. With John’s win at this year’s TOC, he has won the championship more than any other person. Allen Sliger, Safari, was runner up and third place was won by Bud Linquist, Royal Palms with 4th place being won by Wayne Duncan, also from Safari.That tournament concludes competitive play in District 5. Everyone looks forward to November when shuffleboard resumes here in the valley.
California Shuffleboard Association 