Any Interest in a Florida/Georgia/Alabama Tournament?

[Jay Bailey]

Though there is a Florida tournament already, Florida is a very large state. From Tallahassee to Miami (basically the most northern part of the state to the where the current tournament is held), it is a seven hour drive. From where I'm at, I might as well go to the North Carolina tournaments. So I was wondering if there were others who are in the viscinity of Northern Florida, Southern or Central Georgia, as well as Eastern Alabama or anywhere else that would be interested in a tournament somewhere in Northern Florida (the Panhandle/Big Bend area)? If there's enough interest, I would like to propose that one be established and recognized by the ACF. I will take the liberty of organizing it myself if needed.

[Patrick Parker]

in what city
pennsecola?

[Jay Bailey]

Most likely Tallahassee. I'm also considering Panama City or somewhere in southern Georgia; maybe Albany, Thomasville, or Valdosta. Just depends on where most people would be coming from and where I could find a venue.

[Patrick Parker]

isnt dothan near that triangle? of states anyway
if u have it far enough north you might can get some of those north carolina virginians to show up
they travel it packs it seems

[Jay Bailey]

It is, but it's not exactly centrally located. And hopefully some NC players would come because it's still pretty close, and still within District 4. I'm willing to take suggestions. Right now I'm just trying to judge whether there will be enough support to justify a tournament in this area. As far as I know, there's no GA state tournament, this could name a GA champion perhaps.

[Patrick Parker]

there has been one in sometime in Ga as far as i understand it
hm
i want to see a list of states with no tournament

[Jay Bailey]

As far as I can tell from looking at nccheckers.org and ACF listings, the last tournament in Georgia was in 2004, not counting the "Atlanta Annual Golden Olympics" last year. As for other states,I'm not sure.

[Lisle Cormier]

As far as I can tell from looking at nccheckers.org and ACF listings, the last tournament in Georgia was in 2004, not counting the "Atlanta Annual Golden Olympics" last year. As for other states,I'm not sure.

The last Georgia tournament was in March 2004, but it was an open tournament that did not determine a state champion. I became state champion at the Georgia State tournament in 4Q03 when Harvey Kelley did not compete. The late Gene Lindsay, who is sorely missed, was the tournament winner.

Kris Gordon and Archie Marcotte were the organizers of these tournaments. Kris disappeared in 2H04. His brother called me last year to inquire about Kris' whereabouts as he had not heard from him in two years. Archie seems to have retired as tournament organizer.

I would be willing to organize a tournament in North Georgia at some point, but it will not be this year due to time constraints.

[Alex_Moiseyev]

Kris Gordon and Archie Marcotte were the organizers of these tournaments. Kris disappeared in 2H04. His brother called me last year to inquire about Kris' whereabouts as he had not heard from him in two years.

I don't have good feelings about Kris. Something really bad happened around 2004 if even his brother haven't heard about him for more than two years.

We trully have to restore GA tournament. Unfortunately Bob Cooper is not with us and Lisle is not very active due to circumstancies. I remember a nice tournaments we had in Calhoun at the end of 1990's, collecting every year 20-25 players in 2 Divisions.

Previous year we had a family vacation in Florida, Disney World, and I drove from Columbus to Orlando with my wife and 2 kids. Calhoun was exactly half a way, and we reached it around 1 AM. I got alot of memory and nostalgia and told my wife that I want to stop here for the night and leave earlier in the morning.

Indeed, I choose the same hotel we used in the past for Checkers tournaments - Best Western (if I am not mistaken) - over the corner after exit. Oh-h-h-h

Alex

[Jay Bailey]

Thank you for the information, Mr. Cormier. Something in northern/central Georgia would be perfect. Perhaps Calhoun, where it used to be, would be a fine place to restart the Georgia tournament. Other cities around Atlanta, such as Athens or Macon, should make fine venues as well.

We trully have to restore GA tournament. Unfortunately Bob Cooper is not with us and Lisle is not very active due to circumstancies. I remember a nice tournaments we had in Calhoun at the end of 1990's, collecting every year 20-25 players in 2 Divisions.

20-25 is quite an impressive turn-out; given such information it is apparent a Georgia tournament today could have an equal or greater number of participants, especially with the help of Mr. Cormier. The presence of the world champion would surely increase turn-out, as well, Alex . However since Mr. Cormier is unable to participate for at least a year, perhaps a state tournament could be postponed and an open tournament put into place sometime this year, so as to allow Mr. Cormier to retain his state title without unfairly giving it to someone else when he has not the opportunity to defend it.

[Patrick Parker]

i dont want to say bad things about people but kris gordon umm
at about april to may of 04
he ripped a few people off of some money and checker books then disapeared not long after
havent seen him online since zone

[Patrick Parker]

arch has been on kurnik lately ....you can talk to him there
i think maybe a Ga player showed up at the alabama tournament

[Jay Bailey]

Well there appears to be enough support for a tournament to be set up. It looks like the support favors a Georgia tournament, so I'll try to set up something in southern-central Georgia as opposed to Tallahassee. Possible sites are in Thomasville, Georgia; Cairo, Georgia; Albany, Georgia; Valdosta, Georgia; Macon, Georgia; and possibly Athens, Georgia. At the earliest, I'd like to try and set up a two-day (weekend) tournament for one of the last two weekends of June or the first weekend of July; however, this might be too close to nationals. Any preferences or suggestions? Other, later dates will be considered if this is too soon or too close to nationals.

[Patrick Parker]

dont do it around nationals time.....make sure it isnt near any other tournaments near you in space and time