7th Causeway Scrabble Challenge

Scrabble Association, Singapore
Mailing address: Scrabble Association, 14 Robinson Road, #08-01A Far East Finance Building, Singapore 048545
Web master: webmaster at toucanet.com

7th Causeway Scrabble Challenge

All queries to be directed to Michael Tang <alchemist9189@gmail.com> or +65 9189 9189.

First announcement

From: "Michael Tang" <alchemist9189@gmail.com>
Subject: 7th Causeway Scrabble Challenge
Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2007 20:08:52 +0800

Dear fellow Scrabblers,

I am pleased to announce that the 7th Causeway Scrabble Challenge will be held from 3rd to 7th December 2008 at Zon Regency Hotel, Johor Bahru. A total of 45 games will be played over the 5-day period. The following 10 teams will be invited:

1. Australia

2. Canada

3. Malaysia

4. New Zealand

5. Nigeria

6. Singapore

7. Thailand

8. UK

9. USA

10. International

Qualification:

The top 5 players from each country, according to their respective country rating rankings, will be invited.  The top rated player from The Philippines, India and The Gulf shall be invited to Team International. The remaining 2 placings shall be at the sole discretion of the Organiser where only players with at least 1900 International rating may be invited. The cut-off date for ratings is 30 September 2008 but the respective Scrabble Association can opt to have an earlier cut-off date for ratings.

Format of play:

The format is 1 FULL Round robin where players from the same team do not play against each other and they will play against players from ALL the other 9 teams ONCE.

Schedule of play:

Wednesday, 3rd December 2008 (9 Games)

7.30am to 8.30am:     Breakfast

8.30am to 12.30pm:   Game 1 - 4

12.30pm to 2.00pm:   Lunch

2.00pm to 7.00pm:     Game 5 - 9

7.00pm to 8.00pm:     Dinner

Thursday, 4th December 2008 (10 Games)

7.30 am to 8.30am:    Breakfast

8.30am to 12.30pm:   Game 10 - 13

12.30pm to 1.30pm:   Lunch

1.30pm to 7.30pm:     Game 14 - 19

7.30pm to 8.30pm:     Dinner

Friday, 5th December 2008 (10 Games)

7.30am to 8.30am:     Breakfast

8.30am to 12.30pm:   Game 20 - 23

12.30pm to 1.30pm:   Lunch

1.30pm to 7.30pm:     Game 24 - 29

7.30pm to 8.30pm:     Dinner

Saturday, 6th December 2008 (10 Games)

7.30am to 8.30am:     Breakfast

8.30am to 12.30pm:   Game 30 - 33

12.30pm to 1.30pm:   Lunch

1.30pm to 7.30pm:     Game 34 - 39

7.30pm to 8.30pm:     Dinner

Sunday. 7th December 2008 (6 games)

7.30am to 8.30am:     Breakfast

8.30am to 12.30pm:   Game 40 - 43

12.30pm to 1.30pm:   Lunch

1.30pm to 3.30pm:     Game 44 - 45

3.30pm to 4.00pm:     Prize giving ceremony

Prize Money:

The prize money for the Individual placing is as follows:

Champion: US$10,000

1st runner up: US$5,000

2nd runner up: US$2,500

4th placing: US$1,000

5th placing: US$700

6th placing: US$600

7th placing: US$500

8th placing: US$400

9th placing: US$300

10th placing: US$200

Registration Fees: US$150

Dictionary: Collins 2007

Time of Play: 25 minutes per player

Challenge rules: 5 points penalty per word challenge

Open Section:

The Open section of 7th Causeway Scrabble Challenge will be held from 4th to 7th December 2008. A total of 33 games will be played over 4 days.

Qualification criteria:

Only players with SOWPODS International ratings can apply to participate in the Open section. Players who qualify for Master section are NOT allowed to play in the Open section should they turn down their invitation to the Master event.

Format of Play:

Swiss pairing with no repeat on each day. The pairing will be reset at the beginning of each day where 1st will play 2nd and etc, there will be no-repeat Swiss pairing from Day 1 to Day 3. The final 6 games on Day 4 shall be King-Of-The-Hill with repeats.

Schedule of Play:

Thursday, 4th December 2008 (9 games)

7.30am to 8.30am       Breakfast

8.30am to 12.30pm     Game 1 to 4

12.30pm to 2.00pm     Lunch

2.00pm to 7.00pm       Game 5 to 9

7.00pm to 8.00pm       Dinner

Friday, 5th December 2008 (9 games)

7.30am to 8.30am       Breakfast

8.30am to 12.30pm     Game 10 to 13

12.30pm to 2.00pm     Lunch

2.00pm to 7.00pm       Game 14 to 18

Saturday, 6th December 2008 (9 games)

7.30am to 8.30am      Breakfast

8.30am to 12.30pm    Game 19 to 22

12.30pm to 2.00pm    Lunch

2.00pm to 7.00pm      Game 23 to 27

Sunday, 7th December 2008 (6 games)

7.30am to 8.30am      Breakfast

8.30am to 12.30pm    Game 28 to 31

12.30pm to 1.30pm    Lunch

1.30pm to 3.30pm      Game 32 to 33

Registration Fees: RM120

Prize Money:

Champion:       RM5,000

1st runner up:  RM2,500

2nd runner up: RM1,000

4th placing:     RM800

5th placing:     RM700

6th placing:     RM600

7th placing:     RM500

8th placing:     RM400

9th placing:     RM300

10th placing:   RM200

Special Prizes:

Senior (50 years old and above)

Best Finish :       RM500

2nd Best Finish: RM300

3rd Best Finish:   RM200

Youth (18 years old and below)

Best Finish:        RM500

2nd Best Finish:  RM300

3rd Best Finish:   RM200

Closing Date for Registration: 31st October 2008

Lucky Draws:

3 Economy class Return air-tickets from ANYWHERE in the world to Causeway Scrabble Challenge 2009. If the lucky winners are from Malaysia and Singapore, he or she can choose to go to either Penang Open 2009 or King's Cup 2009 in Bangkok. The tickets are non-transferable and it is valid for only 1 year.

Recommended arrival time:

Players are recommended to arrive in Singapore from 9am to 5pm should they choose to enter via Singapore. This is to avoid the massive traffic jam during the peak hours at the Causeway linking Singapore to Johor Bahru.

The hotel packages at Zon Regency hotel will be announced in due course.

Please send your registration to alchemist9189@gmail.com or you can contact me at +65 9189 9189.

Michael Tang

Organising Chairman

Second announcement

From: "Michael Tang" <alchemist9189@gmail.com>
Subject: Causeway Scrabble Challenge 2008
Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:43:45 +0800

Dear Fellow Scrabblers,

The 7th Causeway Scrabble Challenge is just slightly more than 4 months away. As usual, there will be 2 tournaments being held concurrently. The Master Division will feature 10 teams comprising a total of 50 top-rated players in the world. They will battle over a 45-game round robin from Dec 3 to Dec 7, 2008 for the top Individual prize money of US$10,000. The Open Division will be held from Dec 4 to Dec 7, 2008 where a total of 33 games will be played with the top individual prize money of RM5,000 (US$1,550).

As in the past, the tournament will be held at Zon Regency Hotel in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Players can choose to fly to Singapore where a transfer will be provided to go to Zon Regency Hotel. Please try to arrive in Singapore between 9am and 5pm in order to beat the traffic jam at the Causeway. I am pleased to announce the hotel package as follows:

Master Section:

5 Nights + 14 meals package

Single Occupancy: RM1,250 (US$386)

Double Occupancy: RM875 (US$270)

Open Section:

4 Nights + 11 meals package

Single Occupany: RM1,000 (US$308)

Double Occupancy: RM 700 (US$215)

Please note that all the meals provided will be buffet style and there will be 5 types of cuisine, i.e. International, Chinese, Thai, Malay and Western, which will be offered throughout the tournament. Alternatively, players can also choose to just take the room + breakfast package as follows:

Single Occupancy: RM200 (US$62) per night

Double Occupancy: RM120 (US$37) per night

As in the tradition of Causeway Scrabble Challenge, there will be 3 lucky draws of return air tickets to either Causeway Scrabble Challenge, King's Cup or Penang Scrabble Open in 2009. As for the Open section, there will also be 3 prizes for players above 50 years old and players below 18 years old (those who did not finish in top 10).

I shall send out another e-mail in October to announce the confirmed line-up for each teams in the Masters as well as the Open participants.

Please feel free to contact me by e-mail or +65 9189 9189 should any of you have any questions.

Michael Tang
Organising Chairman

Third announcement

From: "Michael Tang" <alchemist9189@gmail.com>
Subject: Updates on Causeway Scrabble Challenge
Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2008 22:57:13 +0800

Dear fellow Scrabblers,
The 7th Causeway Scrabble Challenge will be held in slightly over 2 months
away from 3 to 7 Dec 2008 in Zon Regency Hotel, Johor Bahru. I am pleased
to inform you the confirmed list of participants for both Premier and Open
section as follows:

Premier Section:

A total of 10 teams will compete in the Premier section with 5 players from
each team. They will compete over a 45-game tournament in 5 days, i.e.
Every player from each team will play the other 9 teams ONCE. The top
individual winner will win US$10,000 while the top 3 teams will be awarded
Gold, Silver and Bronze medals.

Australia:

1. David Eldar
2. Chris May
3. Andrew Fisher
4. Edward Okulicz
5. Naween Fernando

Malaysia:

1. Suanne Ong
2. Aaron Chong
3. Henry Yeo
4. Vannitha
5. Tan Jin Chor

New Zealand:

1. Nigel Richards
2. Jeff Grant
3. Howard Warner
4. Joanne Craig
5. Blue Thorogood

Singapore:

1. Cheah Siu Hean
2. Lim Li Wei
3. Marlon Prudencio
4. Liew Kian Boon
5. Andy Kurnia

Thailand:

1. Pakorn
2. Komol
3. Jakkrit
4. Taewan
5. Nawapadol

United Kingdom:

1. Harshan
2. Helen Gipson
3. David Webb
4. Ed Martin
5. Femi Awowade

USA:

1. Tim Adamson
2. Sam Kanthimathi
3. Amit Chakrabati
4. Bob Linn
5. Steve Polatnick

Team International (Asia)

1. Akshay (Dubai)
2. Odette Rio (Philippines)
3. Sherwin Rodriques (India)
4. Tony Sim (Singapore)
5. Wajid Iqbal (Pakistan)

Team International (Rest of the World)

1. Nathan Benedict (USA)
2. Albert Hahn (Canada)
3. Gerry Carter (England)
4. Adrian Tamas (Romania)
5. Theresa Camilleri (Malta)

Please note that Team Nigeria will announce their line-up after the
completion of African Nation Championships on 12th Oct 2008.

I am also pleased to introduce a new prize for breaking the Highest Game
scored in Premier section which was 709 set by A Ganesh in 2005. Any player
who breaks this record will win himself or herself a return air ticket to
Causeway Scrabble Challenge in 2009. If the player is residing in Malaysia,
Singapore or Thailand, he or she will win a return air ticket to ANY
International tournament in the world in 2009.

Open Section:

A total of 33 games will be played over 4 days from 4 to 7 Dec 2008. The
top individual winner will win RM5,000 or US$,1450. The confirmed players
to-date are listed as follows:

Australia:

1. Alastair Richards
2. Karen Richards
3. Paul Richards
4. Diane Ward
5. Olga Visser
6. Eddie Mueller
7. Michael McKenna
8. John Hamilton
9. Philip Hamilton
10. Natasha Podesser
11. Kitty jean Laginha
12. Bela Laginha
13. James Gunner
14. Jane Taylor
15. Helen Maurus
16. John Barker

England:

1. Amy Byrne

India:

1. Mohd Irfan

Indonesia:

1. Ferdy Antonio
2. Jeffry Salim

Malaysia:

1. Alex Tan
2 Jocelyn Lor
3. Chim Wai Main
4. Mohd Ali
5. Paulette Yeoh
6. Yeap Gim Sai
7. Chuah Sim Swee
8. Adele Tan

New Zealand:

1. Liz Fagerlund
2. Ellie Quin
3. Rosalind Philips
4. Betty Eriksen

Philippines:

1. Martus
2. Malonzo
3. Dimanao

Singapore:

1. Victor Chua
2. Chua Guo Cong
3. Ricky Purnomo
4. Shim Yen Nee
5. Dorai
6. Dylan Sharma
7. Jessie Lim
8. Catherine Tong
9. Valli
10. Ruby Sim
11. Ismail Kassim
12. Aloysius Conzaga
13. Suhaimi Khalil
14. Noor Hanis
15. Syed Ahmad
16. Mohd Noorhisham

Thailand:

1. Amnuay
2. Thacha
3. Purinth
4. Cholapat
5. Apirat
6. Suthiraphan
7. Warodom

Trinidad and Tobago:

1. Pat John
2. Tamara John

United Arab Emirates:

1. Mohammed Zafar

As in the tradition of Causeway Scrabble Challenge, there will be 3 lucky
draws at the end of the tournament where 3 return air tickets will be given
away to the lucky winner to return back to Causeway Scrabble Challenge in
2009 which will be held from 2 to 6 Dec 2009.

Please note that the closing date for the Open Division is 31 October 2008.
Please also remember to send me your confirmed flight itinerary for all
overseas players so that I can make the necessary transport arrangement.
Last but not least, please also send me your hotel and meal package
bookings for those who choose to stay at the tournament hotel.

Looking forward to seeing all of you soon.

Michael Tang
Organising Chairman
Cell Phone: +65 9189 9189

Buses from Singapore to Johor Bahru Checkpoint:
SBS 160, 170 (red plate), 170 (blue plate), SMRT 950
Take MRT to Kranji.
Cross Woodlands Rd.
Take 160 or 170 (blue plate). - You can also take 170 (red plate) but it is slower.
Alight at Woodlands Checkpoint.
Pass through Singapore immigration.
Take 160 or 170 to Johor Bahru Checkpoint. - If you use an ez-link card, you can take 160 even if you came on 170 (or vice versa) without paying more, click here for details. (If you pay cash, you must retake the same service number.)
Alight at Johor Bahru Checkpoint.
Pass through imigresen Malaysia.
Taxi from Johor Bahru Checkpoint should cost less than RM 10 each way.
Map, and driving instructions (to Zon Regency Hotel, formerly Eden Garden)

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