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Ulster Open 2005

The Ulster Open was played over the weekend of 15-16 October at the Belfast Boat Club.

The Ulster Open was last held in the year 2000. For 2005 the UCU Committee decided to revive the competition and incorporate within in it the Ulster Intermediate and Junior Champioships. The event was run in a single section but with separate prize lists for the three different categories of player.

A total of 20 players entered, a rather disappointing number, particularly when the prize-fund was larger than in most UCU weekenders. Still the players who turned up weren't complaining about that.

In the absence of Steve Scannell, competing in a big tournament in his native USA, the favourite for the Open was Tom Clarke, and indeed he dominated the event, securing the title with a round to spare with 5 straight wins. Equal second were Michael Waters and David O'Donnell, the latter retaining his Ulster Intermediate title. Veteran Alan Burns and Methodist College schoolboy Luke McMullen shared the honours in the Junior Championship.

Final Standings

Place Name                   Rtg  Club          Score

1 Tom Clarke 2196 Clifton House 5.5
2-3 Michael Waters 2009 Fisherwick 4.5
David O'Donnell 1766 QUB 4.5
4-5 Nicholas Pilkiewicz 1796 Clifton House 4
Gareth Annesley 1892 RVH 4
6-7 Danny Mallaghan 1819 Clifton House 3.5
Anandagopal Srinivasan 1429 Fisherwick 3.5
8-13 Ian Woodfield 1652 Fisherwick 3
Stephen McCann 1740 RVH 3
Chris Millar 1492 Fisherwick 3
Richard Proctor 1567 Bangor 3
Alan Burns 1384 Bangor 3
Luke McMullen 1358 Fisherwick 3
14 Stewart McConaghy 1522 Bombardier 2.5
15-18 William Storey 1243 Unattached 2
Patrick McKillen 1285 Fisherwick 2
Kevin O'Neill 703 Fisherwick 2
Owen Wilson 1000 Bangor 2
19-20 Geoff Hindley 1045 Civil Service 1
Cathal Murphy 795 Fisherwick 1
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