Charlotte NC                                                                                      by John Pahl
                

Cost of travel to Charlotte: minimal
Entry fee including lunch, drinks & supplements: $40.
Compete in a  “train wreck” format against 47 other players for over a thousand
dollars in prize money: Priceless.

Location was long time Charlotte ttc home Tuckaseegee Park.
Good lighting, grid rubber floor.
Format: as long as you keep winning, it’s single elimination to the championship.
If you lose a match, your championship dreams come to an end, but you can still
win your consolation round robin and some prize money.
Nine tables were put to good use as the bottom 32 played the first match of the day
to decide who moves on to face the top 16 and who drops to Class C round robins.                                              
Bryan Horton won over John Funk in Class C final after they each won their 8 man rr.
Ray Filz and Richard Ilson won the Class C single elimination doubles.
The next two single elimination rounds sent the 24 losers into 4 groups of 6,
with Amir Amidi winning Class B over Walter Murray.
The quarter finals sent 4 players into the last round robin with Stephane Aube
besting Rodrigo Merida for Class A honors.
That leaves 4 players for the semis. Nigel Christopher won a spot in the final     
over Ty Hoff , and Didi DeSouza won over Jim McQueen. Ty then beat Jim for
third place in a back and forth best of seven.
Hometown favorite Nigel took Atlanta native Didi DeSouza six games before giving up the  
$300 first prize sponsored by Wireway/.Husky. Didi actually struggled through some                               
early rounds but dug in and eventually won it all. His higher level of practice showed
in his touch and short ball openers, allowing more of his big shots more often.
Both exhibited flawless form and explosive power inspiring many to hit the practice
tables after the final.
I’m sure the prize money at every level had something to do with an early sell out,
as well as the “train wreck” format borrowed from the UK leagues.
Thanks to Butterfly for supplying balls and Charlotte Park & Rec for their cooperation.
Tournament staff Simon Brain, Ira Goodman and John Pahl hope to see you next time.