The 2012 FUN Tournament:
Special thanks to this year's tournament director, Jonny O. who volunteers many, many hours to make this all a reality. He returned this year ready to conduct another great tourney! Without further adieue visit Jonny's blog for the recap, then check out the full results here.
What is it?
Aren't pinball tournaments super-serious affairs? And you have to spend a lot of money and time to participate?
Not this one!
If you've never played in a pinball tournament this is a fun and easy way to give it a try. We’re keeping this tournament relaxed and social because that's what Pin-a-Go-Go is all about. Entry is just $5 and all proceeds after expenses will be donated to the Dixon Teen Center and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Sacramento.
Who can play?
Any Pin-a-Go-Go attendee can enter. There will awards for Open, Novice and Kids. If your kid is a whiz kid s/he can also enter Open/Novice division.
What can I win?
Plaques and prizes will be awarded to:
- Top 6 Open Players
- Top 6 Novice players
- Top 4 Kids (13 years and younger)
In addition, the first 10 Kids who complete may get a special surprise for participation! There will also be some freebies and fun "side quests" available for the open and novice divisions.
How long does it take? Will I have to miss the rest of the show?
The tournament will be run on Saturday of the show.
It will take two to three hours for a typical Open/Novice player to play all their qualifier games. You don't have to play them all at once. You can come and go as you please and enjoy the rest of the show. Note, however, it is up to you to get all your games done during the qualifying period.
If you make the playoffs they will start at 6 PM the same day. If you go the distance and make it to the final rounds of play, we expect to finish the competition between 7:30 and 9pm.
Kids will play two games two times each in a regular high-score format and do not have to come back for finals. For most kids it will take a half hour for them to play at most. There are no finals for the Kids tournament.
What is Pin Golf? How does it work?
In Pin Golf, objectives are set on each machine. For example, score 3 Million points on Scared Stiff, or complete the FILM letters on Creature from the Black Lagoon. The player attempts to accomplish each objective with the fewest number of balls as possible (like strokes in golf). If you're unclear on how to accomplish the goal or the best way to do it, just ask! We are all friendly and will share our tips and strategies.
After 6 "holes" (games) the players with the best total scores advance to the playoffs/finals.
What games will we play?
Tentative list is at the bottom of the "Bring Games!" page.
When: Saturday May 19, 2012. Registration starts at 10 AM and closes at 2 PM. Entry is limited to 64 Open/Novice players. Kids can enter any time. Last year we filled up early, so don't hesiate, come early!
Warm Up: You can warm up from 10 - 11:30 if you want. If you can't get there that early, you can play one ball before your official entry on each game. Sorry, but once the tournament is underway the warm-up time has to be limited like this for us to keep on schedule.
What does it cost: $5. Unlike many other tournaments this will not be an "open qualifier" where you keep buying and buying qualifier entries. It is just a flat $5 per person.
Here's stuff about last year's tournament:
First ever PIN GOLF Tournament at Pin-a-Go-Go HUGE SUCCESS!!
Congratulations to Open Division WINNER Dave Easterla!
A first time tourney player and the very bottom qualifier for the Open event clawed his way into the final, and when it counted most, he dug deep against some of the best of the best to take the whole thing! It was his first tournament and he probably didn't know he had it in him. Well, he certainly does now. Congratulations to Dave Easterla - you not only won the first tournament you've ever entered, but you also won the first PIN GOLF tournament at Pin-a-Go-Go!
Open Division, Top 25:
Pos / Name
1 Dave Easterla
2 Josh Lehan
3 Walter Hurwitz
4 Chris Helig
5 Andrei Masenkoff
6 James Edes
7 Damien Charlety
8 David Rockholt
9 Kenneth Reyna
10 Mark Fitzpatrick
10 Tim Hansen
12 Keith Parkins
13 Eric Wagensonner
14 Jem Gruber
15 Jim Vierra
15 Jason Delano
17 Emmett Cadigan
18 Chris DeLeon
18 Robert Freitas
18 Janice Edes
18 Michael Schiess
18 Jeannie Rodriguez
23 Steve Faith
23 Stephen Kleckner
25 Andrew Nunes
25 Perry Farrens
Top 8 Open qualifiers: Chris Heilig, Josh Lehan, David Rockholt, Andrei Massenkoff, Walter Hurwitz, James Edes, Damien Charlety and Dave Easterla.
1 Robert Freitas
2 Eric Wagensonner
3 Janice Edes
4 Jem Gruber
5 Steve Faith
6 Spencer Clingan
7 Stephen Kleckner
8 Perry Farrens
9 Chris Deleon and Jeannie Rodriguez (tied)
11 Denise McCullough
Top 8 Novice qualifiers: Stephen Kleckner, Perry Farrens, Steve Faith, Jem Gruber, Eric Wagensonner, Spencer Clingan, Robert Freitas and Janice Edes.
A note about the final results: The top twelve players overall - whether Novice or Open - went on to compete in the Open play-offs and finals. The next twelve competitors who qualified for Novice only played in the Novice play-offs and finals. However, the International Flipper Pinball Association only recognizes Open divisions for ranking purposes. Therefore, Novices who did not qualify for the Open play-offs are ranked in the final results based on their qualifying performance.
Kids Tournament
The Kids Tournament consisted of 2 games, Star Wars and The Flintstones. Each entrant was allowed 2 games on each machine.
Kids winner Josh Faith took home a Transformers home game, a plaque and passes to Playland-Not-At-The-Beach in El Cerrito.
Special thanks to Greg Freres for the spectacular plaque artwork!
See more photos of the 2011 Adult & Kids Tourney in our photo section.
