Carol Joy Cole, director of the Michigan Summer Championships held in the suburbs of Detroit for over four decades, was honored in a tournament-long celebration of her retirement from the directorship role. Tributes included numerous gifts including a backgammon board with her image, cake and champagne, and a video with glowing comments from her friends, staff, and colleagues.
The tournament had one of its largest fields of participants ever, with 185 entrants in the ABT Open, Intermediate, and Limited divisions – many of whom made a special effort to attend out of their affection for Carol and appreciation of her leadership over the years. She was honored in 2015 by her selection into the American Backgammon Hall of Fame inaugural cohort.
Wendy Kaplan (IL), hot on her heels after winning the Women’s National Championship in Chicago, went undefeated in the Championship bracket, losing in the Final Playoffs to Bill Calton from Michigan. It was the second time women players have come within a hair of taking the ABT Championship division in 2024 – with the year only half over. Marcy Kossar (MD) narrowly lost to Victor Ashkenazi in the Championship division at the 2024 Cherry Blossom Championship in April.
The Women’s World of Backgammon Fireworks Cup had 20 entrants. Lynn Ehrlich (FL) won the final against Marcy Kossar (MD). Lynn was delighted to win the first-place prize, including $500 in added money and a WWB board donated by Women’s World of Backgammon. Samra Hadden (GA) won the Consolation, defeating Terri Fishel (MN) in the Consolation final.
Irina Litzenberger (VA) continued to display her prowess in the Backgammon Masters Awarding Body (BMAB) Players Cup Michigan, ranking 15th out of 32 on the basis of PR with a 6.16 PR. Marjie Harbrecht (6.86 PR) and Leslie Lockett (8.19 PR) also played in the event.
Women were in the Winner’s Circle in both the ABT Intermediate and the ABT Limited divisions. Petty Culpepper (VA) tied for 3rd in the Intermediate division. In the Limited division, Joan Koscielny (FL) took first place, while Rhonda Woodbury (IL) finished second. Congratulations to all!
Young Hannah DeRosier (LA), age TK, has burst on the tournament scene this year. She came in second with her father, Jim DeRosier, in the Limited Doubles, losing to Ronda Monro (MI) and her son Noah Monro in the final. Hannah also won the Frank Talbot Newcomer Free Roll with 37 participants. Congratulations, Hannah, and welcome to the Women’s World of Backgammon.
ABTÂ - 49th MICHIGAN SUMMER BACKGAMMON CHAMPIONSHIPS
July 3-7, 2024; Novi, Michigan
ABT OPEN (98): 2-Wendy Kaplan (IL),Â
ABT INTERMEDIATE (71): 3C/4C-Peggy Culpepper (VA)
ABT LIMITED (16): 1-Joan Koscielny (FL), 2-Rhonda Woodbury (IL);Â
LIMITED DOUBLES (8 teams): 1-Noah Monro (MI) & Rhonda Monro (IL), 2-Hannah DeRosier (LA) & Jim DeRosier (LA).
FRANK TALBOT NEWCOMER FREE ROLL (37): 1-Hannah DeRosier (LA)Â
WOMEN'S WORLD OF BACKGAMMON FIREWORKS CUP (20): 1-Lynn Ehrlich (FL), 2-Marcy Kossar (MD); 1C-Samra Hadden (GA), 2C-Terri Fishel (MN).
Comments