Belfast Summerfest 1977-2005
In 1977 Belfast City Council provided generous sponsorship for a new tournament to one of the events in the Belfast Civic Festival (from 2000 re-badged as Summerfest). The format used was then still in its formative years in Ireland - the 6-round weekend swiss. The Council's support continued for many years and helped create a very strong tournament in both quality and quantity.
In the final three years the winner of the Open section received the Arthur Cootes Memorial Cup.
WINNERS OF THE BELFAST CIVIC FESTIVAL/SUMMERFEST OPEN
1977 - John MOLES
1978 - Paul HENRY
1979 - Paul HENRY
1980 - Keith ALLEN
1981 - Paul DELANEY
1982 - John KENNEDY
1983 - Paul WHITEHEAD
1984 - Pat CARTON, David HOUSTON
1985 - Keith ALLEN, Colm BARRY
1986 - Tom CLARKE
1987 - Alan GILMORE
1988 - Keith ALLEN, Arthur PINKERTON
1989 - Tom CLARKE, David HOUSTON
1990 - Roger BECKETT
1991 - Kieran GREER
1992 - Adrian GILLEN, Kieran GREER, Greg JACKSON
1993 - Robert NOYCE
1994 - Kieran GREER, Brian KELLY
1995 - Colm DALY
1996 - Tom CLARKE, Colm DALY
1997 - Keith ALLEN
1998 - Michael HOLMES
1999 - Tom CLARKE, Adrian GILLEN, Richard McMASTER
2000 - Richard McMASTER
2001 - Stephen SCANNELL
2002 - Tom CLARKE
2003 - Stephen SCANNELL
2004 - Tom CLARKE, Stephen SCANNELL
2005 - Stephen SCANNELL
Stephen Scannell receiving the Arthur Cootes Memorial Cup
at the 2003 Belfast Summerfest from UCU President David McAlister
