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The Closed has attracted 205 entries, very acceptable. Most of the top names have entered, although no Gary Thwaite, Galen le Cheminant, Nicky Gatward Duncan Walsh or – on his annual skiing trip Peter Alexander. Nick Taylor has entered the O35’s so will be favourite, whilst John Clark, Peter Gunter and Colin Payne will all vie for the O40’s. The O45’s sees Mark Woodliffe with Greg Pearman and James Ockwell seeded 2 and 3. The O50’s seeds Duleep Adihetty at 1 with Mark Cowley and David Taylor having designs on the title as well. Both the O55’s and O60’s have clear cut favourites in Keith Jones and Phil Ayton. Jones was expected to meet Dave Lumsden but the latter has entered the O50’s where he will meet Mark Cowley in the Quarters, if both progress. Jones, however, took out Lumsden 3/0 in the ICC O45’s last weekend. Adrian Wright is certainly the bookies favourite for the O65’s but a ding dong is in store for Messrs Kirton and Woodliffe in the O70’s.
The Women’s see Amanda Warren seeded 1 in the O35’s and Carole Page in the O40’s. Paula Arrowsmith will have to contend with Helen Gould in the O45’s - no Liz Brown and in the 50’s Julie Field is a clear favourite. In the golden oldies at O55 there is a Round Robin.
On a different note, I entered the East of Scotland Masters in Edinburgh last weekend to see first hand how they run their tournament. Their Points I think are superior to ours and it is up for discussion in Manchester whether we change to their system PLUS they also give points for Plate events and I am fairly sure we will adopt this next year. You can all get a fair idea how their system works by going on their Website. They play through to Sunday afternoon and the downside is the presentations were much later than ours circa 5.30pm. From comments in England, most people wish to leave early afternoon, not early pm!