The tagline could not have been more appropriate to describe this year's Medford Masters as we saw some things that we never saw before happen. We had our first female participant, we had our first taste of Masters Moonshine, we closed out the event with Mint Juleps as we passed the torch to the host of the Derby Day Tournament...so many firsts but somehow they all felt like been with us for the entire history of this event. Oh, yes we also had our first repeat champion and our first four-time jacket winner...a well deserved congratulations to the members of the Dead Rabbits as they pulled a rabbit out of the hat to become 2017 Medford Masters Champions.
The day got started at 2:00 PM with our first pairings squaring off with Bloody Mary's in hand. Sri Lanka Donks (Sandhun Mendis and Aaron Juckett) didn't have enough kick to fend off tournament veterans JO Time (Sean Toner and Brian O'Kane). The 2:30 Tee Time saw Orthopedics Please (Joe "Papa Joe's Pub" Halt and Mikey Denkowycz) looking for their shoe inserts as upstarts Pucky Brewster (Cody Grable and Patrick Lavelle) came out firing to an early and decisive win. All of Riverton was waiting on baited breath as they saw two of their own square off as the Dead Rabbits began their quest to repeat by holding off Dark Corris (Mark Morris and Dan Colbert). Next up was our very own version of Darla Moore as East Meets West (Jenn and Scott Reddell) went up against the aforementioned JO Time and in record breaking fashion quickly disposed of JO and moved on to the next round. The fan favorite Quate Kings went against WickGinnis (Joe Wick and Josh Ginnis) and were seen drinking the High Life like a Red Auerbach cigar...toasting Joe and Josh all the best in the Loser's Bracket. The last match of the round saw BSC veterans One More (Mike Francisco and Chris Cogan) come up against the buzz-saw that was Pucky Brewster.
The Winners Bracket finale came as no surprise with the two most talented teams going head-to-head. The only surprise was how quickly and easily the victory came to the Quate Kings as the Dead Rabbits looked as if it wasn't their day and were regulated to the Loser's Bracket. It is there that the Rabbits began to regain their stride as they began to show the steely resolve that has made them the champions that they are...holding off Pucky Brewster to push themselves back into the championship. It was a steep hill to climb as the Rabbits were facing a tall challenge to beat the Kings in consecutive matches if they wished to slip their arms back into those coveted Green Jackets. The Rabbits jumped out to an early and commanding lead leaving our fan favorites back on their heels but they aren't called the Kings for no reason as they mounted a comeback of their own getting the match within reach before the Dead Rabbits closed out the contest to force a sudden-death winner-take-all finally.
Again the Rabbits jumped out to an early and commanding lead to only be brought back within striking distance of the Quate Kings when Rick Green threw a hammer shot that Odin himself would have been proud of...by passing Dave Dieal's four quates to sit a three and breath life back into the struggling Quate Kings. But alas it wasn't enough as the Rabbits were too much for the Quate Kings as they went on to win their second Green Jacket in consecutive fashion.
That concluded the action on the shuffleboard table as the Green Jacket ceremony was quickly performed thereafter. A fantastic finish to a great day and another nod to the improving Table Shuffleboard scene that is taking place in the area. Hats off to the Board Members of the Triple Crown of Shuffleboard for staging another event as they showcased more fine examples of top-flight Table Shuffleboard talent. Many thanks to all that helped make the day a success, as this kind of event doesn't happen without a lot of people helping out and we would like to recognize those who did help:
- Papa Joe - If it weren't for you and the example you provided all of this wouldn't be possible
- Mikey Denkowycz - Keep the wings coming...they were delish!
- Aaron Juckett - For keeping the drinks flowing and making sure everyone had a cocktail when needed
- Scott and Jenn Reddell - For bringing us our newest tradition with the Masters Moonshine...they were some tasty beverages!
- Jenn Reddell - For keeping the Brackett legible and being the tournament photographer
- Mike Francisco - For keeping the peace
- Rich "the dealer" Wessel - For keeping the cards in the air!
- Rick Green - For providing the path for all of us to follow...no March Madness,..no TCOS!
- Marianne Halt - For being my partner in life and supporting this!
- All the 2017 Participants - Thanks for making the time to share the day with us...your friendship is why this is possible...so thank you!!!
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