Reported by Shirley Eager

A District 5 rookie is defined as: “a player who has not been involved in extended shuffling, either in organized or recreational play, prior to January 1^st of the preceding year of the Rookie Tournament.”  Twenty rookies throughout District 5 competed in the annual Rookie Tournament hosted by Ramon Shuffleboard Club in Palm Springs on January 15 & 16. Even though the entry numbers were down from previous rookie tournaments, the competition was tough. The 2018 Rookie Tournament was won by Sue Anderson, Tramview Shuffleboard Club, Cathedral City. Other winners in the Championship Division were: 2. Terri Manley, Indian Wells Shuffleboard Club, Indio; 3. Betsy Carlson, Tramview; and Mike Amos, Palm Desert Greens Shuffleboard Club, Palm Desert. Consolation Division winners: Champion – Mike Ryen, Tri-Palms Shuffleboard Club, Thousand Palms; 2. Jeannette Conway, Ramon Park, Palm Springs; 3. Augustus Ginnochio, Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club, Cathedral City; and 4. Kerry Bedel, Ramon.

            Many of these rookies are now playing in the social Desert Shuffler League.

Thanks to D5 Secretary Shirley Eager for this article.

            When the Safari Shuffleboard Club, located in Palm Springs, decided to no longer host the annual District 5 Cash Bonspiel, the Indian Wells Shuffleboard Club discussed the advantages and disadvantages of trying to take on this project. No other club in the District was interested, so in order for the Bonspiel to continue, the Indian Wells Shuffleboard Club decided to be the host of this 4-day tournament. Since all of the entry fees go back into the purse to be paid out, the only way the Club could make some money was to sell tickets on an Opportunity Drawing each day and man (woman) the kitchen for 4 days.  And that they did under the guidance of Louise Bryant.

            The 64 players from 8 of the 11 clubs that represent District 5, played 2 games on Friday. The results of those 2 games determined the division the players would play in on Saturday & Sunday. Each of those days, the players competed in 2 games. The top 4 scoring players in each of the 4 divisions played in the final 2 games on Monday. Game points determined the top 4 players with ties being determined by spread points.

            Over the 4 days, Shirley Eager, ATM, reported 104 games were played on the Indian Wells’ 4 shuffleboard courts. The Board crew, led by Gene Eager, who also was the Head Referee, had the boards in excellent condition and were able to do a turn around on the boards in less than 6 minutes which kept the games close to being on time.

            The owners of the Indian Wells RV Resort, Sun RV Resorts, donated money toward the prize money that was distributed to the winners. Winners were: A Division: 1. Gene Eager, Indian Wells RV Resort, who also will have his name engraved on the Bonspiel travelling trophy; 2. Gene Carriere, Indian Wells RV Resort; 3. Gideon Carriere, Indian Wells RV Resort; and 4. Janice Fitzgerald, Royal Palms. B Division winners: 1. Jackie Davidson, Safari Park; 2. Jim (Pete) Peterson, Indian Wells RV Resort; 3. Allen Sliger, Safari Park; and 4. Fran Maze, Tramview. Winners in the C Division: 1. Clint Barton, Palm Desert Greens; 2. Doris Barton, Palm Desert Greens; 3. Bill Rideout, Indian Wells RV Resort; and 4. Ray Hall, Palm Desert Greens. The D Division winners were: 1. Coley Aldrich, Tri Palms; 2. Joe Campanella, Royal Palms; 3. George Parker, Desert Crest; and June Merasty, Royal        Palms.

Winners L-R  A Division: 1. Gene Eager, Indian Wells RV Resort, B Division: 1. Jackie Davidson, Safari Park,  C Division: 1. Clint Barton,  D Division: 1. Coley Aldrich,

       A District 5 tournament had never been held at Indian Wells RV Resort but the small but mighty Indian Wells Shuffleboard Club pulled it off.

WE GOT THIS FOR OUR CAR.

ANYBODY ELSE INTERESTED?

jayandmar@yahoo.com    925-978-3634

by Dean Grattidge, District 7 Reporter

Held in landmark venue of Golden Village Palms Resort, this site hosted the Hall of Fame Tournament. GVP has been the home of the shuffleboard museum for over a decade, having been moved here from Manteca.

Three newly elected players await the posting of their photographs on the wall of the Hall of Fame.  They are:

Mike Walke, D13, Sacramento, Sharyn DiChiro, D7 SDSE, and  Gene Eager, D5, Palm springs. Congratulations to these winners.

Player participants, representing 8 local clubs, plus District 5 of Palm Springs were on hand, with a total of 60 entries. Eight players from Hemet Muni stepped forward to showcase their skills. Games were 12 frame singles, played under CSA rules.

The Bank of Hemet was very generous again in  funding drawings and prize money. We certainly commend them and thank them for that.

Entry fees also paid for a portion of the funding.

Tournament director, Helen Bell, kept this event running smoothly. Several CSA officers participated: President Jay Davidson, first vice president, Carol Blasingame and second vice president, Nelda Lichtwald who supervised the collection of and

certifying the accuracy of all score cards. Head ref was Ray Achenhausen. We thank them all for their time and effort.

All eight winners received a pin and a cash award.

I am always delighted to list the eight players who leave a personal legacy in the shuffleboard record book.  They are  –

Championship: L-R

From SDSE, Robert Brooks, first place, who was awarded the handsome traveling trophy to keep for one year,

second place, Kit Lyman (Hemet Muni) who made a serious challenge for first place, third place, George Baslak (Foothills of Hemet),

and fourth place, Earl Berard (Golden Village Palms), his first win in this type of tournament.

Consolation round: L-R

First place John Brock (CCC),

second place, John Nielsen (District 5),

third place, Warren Huffman (Hemet Muni)

and fourth place, Cheryl Newberry (also a Hemet Muni entry).

I commend all workers and players who took part in and made this a memorable tournament.

Next event will be the Tournament of Champions, to be held at SDSE from January 5th to 6th, 2018.