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.