Dave & Betty Beachy will host a GAYP Checker Meet on Friday & Saturday, February 24th and 25th 2017 in Sarasota, FL. This is a delightful tournament with plenty of delicious food, snacks, and treats throughout the tourney including “homemade ice cream.” The meet will be held at Dave's home on 5382 Bowers Street, Sarasota, Florida 34232. Dave's GAYP Checker Meet will start at 2:00 PM Friday afternoon and again at 8:00 AM on Saturday morning. Dave mentioned he plans to furnish a Friday evening meal, donuts & coffee Saturday morning, and also provide a nice lunch on Saturday. This is an annual event with a round-robin format depending upon attendance. Usually 1st round as luck of the draw, thereafter opponents played whoever is available until each player finished their rounds. This allows for slow players who wanted to play a longer game. 90 minutes per 2 game rounds are allowed which most players played within these time limits. This will make a welcoming checker event because of all the activity in the Pinecraft Park where checker player use the park shelters and play. This park is well known for checker players and outdoor shuffleboard. You may review Pinecraft Park. All the top Amish & Mennonite players from Ohio, Indiana, and Pennsylvania will be there, so bring a friend and join the fun! Also come early and stay over because this is a checker player's haven for pickup games. Yoder's Restaurant, 3434 Bahia Vista Street, Sarasota, FL 34239 is close by, just .4 miles / 8 minutes walking distance. Yoder's Deli, Post Office, and Subway are also near the restaurant. You should write Dave Beachy for any questions about this tournament. He has trouble hearing so telephone is not very feasible, nor does he use e-mail. I personally correspond with Dave by texting him at 941-376-8163. You should write or text Dave if you plan to attend. There are plenty of hotel and motels in the area which I looked on-line this time of year for a weekly rental in the $100-$150 per night range and most everything was already booked for 2017. Here are the ones I looked at less than 15 miles from the park: Comfort Suites – Sarasota/Clark Station, Cadillac Motel, Lantern Inn & Suites, Regency Inn & Suites - Sarasota Bradenton, Motel 6 - Sarasota Bradenton, Sunrise Inn - Sarasota Bradenton, Sleep Inn – Sarasota, Motel 6 – Venice, Sunshine Motel – Venice, Roadway Inn– Venice. You will find more available hotels 40 miles away and at a little better price. You have the option of asking Dave to see if you can stay with a Sarasota home owner player who plans to attend or knows someone who has an extra bed. There are usually plenty of accommodations if you choose to bunk in with a player. You should search hotels in Sarasota early if you plan to attend. It's 770 miles from Greensboro to Sarasota, or 13 hours driving time, or a $400 round trip flight. Another good contact for information is Joe Weaver (330) 465-4025, email: summitframingweaver@yahoo.com The Pinecraft Park is located at 1420 Gilbert Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34239 | (map) | Beachy GAYP Postcard Invitation | Amish/Mennonite Chat Line
| 2016 Sarasota Results | 2017 Tournament DatesResults:
Dave Beachy reported that 12 players competed in their Sarasota GAYP Checker Meet. The format was Round-Robin with 1st round as luck of the draw, thereafter opponents played whoever was available until each player finished their rounds or withdrew. This allows for slow players who wanted to play fewer but longer games. We suggested 90 minutes per 2 game rounds which most players played within these time limits. Betty & Dave hosted a delightful tournament with plenty of delicious meals, snacks, and treats throughout the tourney including “homemade ice cream & chocolate cake.” No entry fees were collected but donations were accepted to support our tournament director and venue hostess.
Official results reported by text message 2/26/2017.