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Archive for October, 2007

The East Coast ‘Movers & Shakers’ Backgammon Tournament

Bangalow Bowling Club on 10 and 11 November 2007

The third East Coast ‘Movers & Shakers’ Backgammon Tournament has a new location. After two years at the Byron Bay Beach Resort, the 2007 tournament will be held at the Bangalow Bowling Club on 10 and 11 November 2007. “Bangalow Bowling Club is a cheaper, more community-friendly location” said Hamish Whetstone one of the organizers, “This means more of the entry money goes back into the prize pool”.

Last year players came from The Gold Coast, Newcastle, Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne to compete, including the 1989 Australian champion Steve Roberts. Despite many excellent players coming from all over Australia, last year four local players made it to the top-five to play for prize money of over $1,200.

The Backgammon Tournament is the idea of local backgammon players; Hamish Whetstone, Jake Rozenthal and Neil Young, and like last year, they hope to attract interest from interstate backgammon players but they also hope to bring together all the backgammon players living locally in the shire. “There are many backgammon tournaments played over the internet, but we felt like a real competition between real players sitting opposite each other would be a lot more fun” said Hamish from his Mullumbimby home, where he plays backgammon every week with a group of friends “We hope it will bring together the local backgammon community again like it has for the last two years”.

The tournament costs $65 to enter with all entry fees returned as prize money once costs are covered – this is a not for profit event. There will be two days of backgammon competition. Day one is a ‘Swiss Qualifier’ where everyone plays six opponents and then the 16 players with the most wins qualify for a Knockout Final on day two (this is a double-elimination final, which means you are not knocked out until you have lost twice). There will be a state representative competition and on day two there will be a consolation competition for those that didn’t qualify for the finals and also plenty of blitz rounds (small round robin competitions) for players as they get knocked out or if they can only attend for one day.

Contact bbblot@hotmail.com for more information or phone Hamish on 0413 564 838

Migaloo the albino humpback whale in Byron Bay

Migaloo the albino humpback whale in Byron Bay

Two of our guests were extremely lucky yesterday on their whale watching trip. Although it is very common to see loads of whales with their calves at this time of the year, spotting Migaloo the albino humpback whale right here in the bay is something very special. And this is their photo! Thanks Maria and Daniel for letting us put this up in our news blog.

Tim & Wandy Hochgrebe
PLANULA Bed & Breakfast Retreat
Lot 1 Melaleuca Drive
PO Box 1753
Byron Bay NSW 2481

Tel: +61-2-66809134
Mob: 0403 357 969
e-mail: relax@planula.com.au
WWW: http://www.planula.com.au