This month the US Backgammon Federation (USBGF) donated a side pool for current USBGF members. The added money attracted a record 15 players, breaking the previous record (14 players) for a monthly tournament. Two new players attended: John Baron and John Schraufnagel. Jon Stephens won first place in the Main bracket final over second place finisher, David Steinberg. The Consolation final, Trevor Dierkes vs. Edwin Jones, was suspended (at the score 2-2 to 7) due to time constraints. The match will resume next month.
The USBGF side pool was split between Stu Cohen and Edwin Jones with Edwin also earning the right to represent Columbus in the USBGF Inter-Club Championships, an online tournament with an estimated 22 entrants (one entrant per qualifying USBGF Prime Club) beginning on March 1. Jason Marshall was presented with a cake and a gift certificate to Carol Joy Cole’s Backgammon Boutique as recognition for his work in growing the club to Prime Club status over the last six years. Thanks, Jason!
Here is a list of the Inter-Club Championships entrants:
| USBGF Inter-Club Championships Players | |
| Club | Entrant |
| Atlanta Northside | Stuart Domeshek |
| Austin | Nick Blasier |
| Backgammon by the Bay | David Levy |
| Baltimore | February 19, 2018 |
| Beltway | John Klein |
| Charlotte | Jeb Horton |
| Chicago Bar Point | February 18, 2018 |
| Colorado | Myra Gazvoda |
| Columbus | Edwin Jones |
| Connecticut | Al Theriault |
| Flint Area | Dan Wittkopp |
| Gammon Associates | Gus Contos |
| Hoosier | Kevin Heacox |
| Houston | George Morse |
| Las Vegas | Joe Apicella |
| New England | Rich Sweetman |
| New York City | Lynn Ehrlich |
| Northern Virginia | Gary Fries |
| Orange County | February 17, 2018 |
| South Florida | Stacy Turner |
| St. Louis | February 20, 2018 |
| Twin Cities | Jeff Spencer |
You can see the USBGF report (including a picture of Edwin) of our tournament here: http://usbgf.org/edwin-jones-brings-home-the-added-money-in-columbus-prime-local-club-initiative/
You can follow Edwin’s progress in the Inter-Club Championships at this link: http://usbgf.org/trny/drawsheets/?trny=411
Wrapping up the final Consolation match from the January tournament, Mike Rezai defeated Maron Cury to finish in third place for January. As a result, Mike gained an additional 27 Masters Points for January.
The full tournament bracket for February can be found here. The current Masters Points standings can be found here. Additionally, the winner of the suspended Trevor Dierkes vs. Edwin Jones match will gain an extra 27 Masters Points when the Masters Points are updated next month.
Thank you to all who came out to play, welcome again to John Baron and John Schraufnagel, and congratulations to our winners:
1st – Jon Stephens
2nd – David Steinberg
3rd – Trevor Dierkes or Edwin Jones
USBGF Added Money: Stu Cohen and Edwin Jones
USBGF Inter-Club Championships Entrant: Edwin Jones
The next monthly tournament will be held on March 11. See you then!