by Dave Griffin

This year's Winter Championship in Spokane was one of the strongest club events in years. There were 25 players in all. Two of the players were experts: Mark Campbell and Lewis McClary, who traveled up from Moscow, ID to play each week.

Campbell won the tournament outright with a 4.5 score. He had to survive a 1st round scare vs. Pat Kirlin, who is rated 700 points below him. Campbell then defeated 2 “A” class players and an expert. He also drew McClary in the final round.

Chris Drake took 2nd overall in the event with 4.0. Drake’s only loss came in the 4th round, it was to Campbell. In the “A” class there was a 3-way tie for 1st in the section as John Julian, Kirk Steinocher, and Michael Cambareri each finished with 3.5. Steinocher had the biggest upset as well with a 2nd round win over McClary.

Phil Weyland won the “B” section with 3.5. Steve Brendemihl won the “C” section with 3.0. John Wynecoop finished with 2.5 to take the top “D” prize. Young Zach Countryman, a fourth grader, took home the “E” section with 1.5.

Thank you to all the participants. This was a great club event!