The UKBGF Board are delighted to confirm the UK’s most prestigious event is open for registration. And remember also to book your accommodation at Woodland Grange.
Huge thanks are due to Steve Lee and his team for stepping in last year and creating such a wonderful community spirit and a well-run event. This year the UKBGF Board have decided to take the lead and any surplus funds generated by the UK Open will either be ploughed back into the event itself or invested in other member benefits.
This will be our fourth visit to Woodland Grange, and the ninth live UK Open – the first was at the Ricoh Arena in 2014. (For obvious reasons there was no live event in 2020). This year we have the Bank Holiday to enjoy: Saturday August 26th to Monday 28th, with warm up events for the early birds on the evening of Friday 25th! We have negotiated the sole use of the entire hotel for the long weekend, with discounted rates and improved meal choices. Penalty-free cancellation is possible up to the day before arrival, so book the hotel when you register for the tournament – that way you won’t forget!
Although the event this year has been extended by a full day, we have kept the headline registration fees the same as last year and, except for the evening doubles, there will be no further registration fees for any of the side events, including jackpots, thereby providing great value to the players!
We are delighted to confirm the TD team who will look after you will be Julia Hayward, Mark Calderbank, David Potter, Jill Gibbs and Andrew Selby, plus a special guest host will be with us live in the form of Nick Blasier. Author of the recently published Adjusting to Match Play, Nick is arguably now the world’s foremost backgammon commentator as well as an excellent player and a huge personality. He is ubiquitous in the backgammon world and will offer some wonderful live commentary, insights and “good banter” throughout his time with us over the weekend.
We are also delighted to confirm that ArtGammon, our UKBGF partner for 2023, will be a visible sponsor at the event, donating numerous prizes which will go to winners who are current UKBGF members. The streaming board will be an added prize for the Masters Champion, and additional boards and gifts will be presented to other winners and runners-up. Huge thanks in advance to Aydin Kolcak who will be offering excellent value merchandise to members at the event.
The Masters Winner will receive the stunning Joe Dwek Trophy, beautifully crafted from sterling silver and generously donated by the legend himself – we hope he may even make a further appearance this year!
We can now also confirm that UK Grandmaster Tim Cross has kindly agreed to deliver a morning seminar at the event, and a further seminar will be presented by Nick Blasier during the weekend.
This year, the Masters tournament will replicate the Monte Carlo World Championships, with a double-elimination format comprising 13-point matches in the Undefeated bracket and 9-pointers in the Fighters, with a progressive Consolation. A Last Chance will also be provided on the final day.
The Intermediate event will follow the popular combination of an initial Swiss phase followed by a Knockout for qualifiers, and a Consolation for those who miss the cut, plus of course a Last Chance on day 3.
There will be an 11-point Super Jackpot on the Saturday, and 8 player Jackpots (7-point) throughout the weekend if / when you are free.
There is one big addition, the inaugural UK National Doubles Championships – this will be a 7-point knockout, run over the first two evenings, and is open to both Masters and Intermediate players.
Finally, we will once again hold the UK Junior and Youth Championships. Further details about this will be released in due course, including our annual online fundraiser, the winner of which will receive free entry to UK Open event!
We look forward to seeing you at this UKBGF flagship event which is all about our members. The more players who register, the better value we will be able to offer to all entrants, especially those who are current UKBGF members and are thereby eligible for additional benefits.
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