October 17, 1998
Fore Palms Disc Golf Course, Jacksonville, FL

Following a day of strong northeast winds, the winds calmed somewhat and a clear evening under the lights ensued. Many folks showed to see a tremendously talented field show their wares. An interesting set of circumstances unfolded as Gregg Hosfeld's partner did not show while Dave Murphy's partner, Steve Hanes, broke down (his car, not him!) half way to Jax while driving to the tournament. As the dust settled on those situations, the partnering situation ebbed and flowed and with just a little time left before tourney time, Gregg and Murf paired up.

The first round seeded the second. With 7 teams, the Jammers collectively decided to allow all to the finals, with judging handled FPA style except the team on deck was allowed to not judge and warm up so the play would be best.

Th semis went fairly straightforward with no real surprises as far as seeding went. The winds were reasonable and the relaxed nature of everyone being allowed to the finals inspired some cool moves by all teams.

Lawrence Frederick and Victor Ouzoonian started the finals off with a bang. Victor is a crusty jammer and plays alot with Craig Simon in South Florida. His quick spins and chest rolls got the crowd going early. Lawrence is coming off recent knee surgery. If the way he played is any indication, we all should sign up for surgery asap!

Up second was Fernando Direito from France(!) and local jammer Jerry DiChiara. Fernando has been playing maybe a year. Apparently Rimini was his first taste of world class freestyle. He is already inventing his own flavor. Newcomer or most improved, he is fast becoming an exciting force in the community. Jerry has some of the best technical skills around. This relative unknown Tasmanian Devil not only can megashred, he was a primary mover and shaker in making The Jammers the quality event it is trying to be.

Third up was Jeff O'Brien and Carl Emerson. Jeff is coming off a major ankle sprain which occurred in Seattle. If you have seen that video, you know how huge his game and heart are. Jeff's gitis tips and vacations create jealousy worldwide! Carl shows the savvy which comes from growing up (?) and jamming with Dave Murphy. Their play got the crowd fired up. Carl arranged to have the Jammer's Package party at a local establishment with complimentary consumables for all. We all thank Lynne for letting us have him for the weekend!!

Dan Yarnell and Jaime Chantiles came out of the blocks fourth with a serious routine. Saving their best for the finals, Jaime and Dan had a tight routine with Dan exhibiting his unbelievable moves which caused many to say "huh?". Jaime is just now getting back to the level he had prior to major knee reconstructive surgery. He has come a long way from the ultramegagitis thud of last year and replaced it with a more world class game appropriate for the big stage. These guys seed busted big for a second place finish. Well done. Up fifth were Scott Sailor and Gary Auerbach. Gary won the FPA World Championships here in Jax in 1995 and showed why here with some huge moves and a poetry in motion game which was as pleasant to watch as any. Scott is showing a rediculosity that comes from a passion to improve every day along with the unique advantage of being able to play in Ted Oberhaus's back yard!!! Their choreography aroused the crowd and earned them a third place finish.

The second to last team consisted of Carlos "Pipo" Lopez and Paul Kenny. This team has been playing together for the last year and a half or so and are now developing a chemistry that comes from mutual committment. Pipo, who was MVP of the pre-tourney jam, again pulled out the stops with so many huge moves that a U-Haul was ordered to ship them out!!! The tight coops to the music along with some tasty indies pulled this team to a surprising victory. The final team consisted of Gregg Hosfeld and Dave Murphy. Each went into the tourney with other partners, but due to last minute problems, they ended up paired together. These guys scrambled together a last minute routine based on huge Uggo's, unprecedented ground work along with the biggest moves in the business. They were clearly a fan and other jammers favorite. These guys went for moves that made women, children and grown men hide. Unfortunately, a bit of a choppy wind picked up as they were starting and they had a few too many drops.

The results...

1. Carlos "Pipo" Lopez/Paul Kenny
2. Dan Yarnell/Jaime Chantiles
3. Scott Sailor/Gary Auerbach
4. Gregg Hosfeld/Dave Murphy
5. Jeff O'Brien/Carl Emerson
6. Frnando Direito/Jerry DiChiara
7. Victor Ouzoonian/Lawrence Frederick

The random coop on Sunday on the beach at low tide with 10 mph winds included local jammers Terry Johnson and Orlando's own Tito??? a friend of Pipo's from PR. along with Mass. man Alan Caplin. Alan by the way pulled DJ duties for the main event and saved alot of heartburn from the TD.

Without going into gory detail, Murf, Jeff and Tito dominated the event. Murf Murfed and Jeff did a phlaud brush to a phlaud catch...enough said!!! The biggest highlight of Sunday was the Tasmanian, Jerry, along with Murf, going into a death jam unheard of on the east coast. It became a Murfathon as Murf and Jerry (Micromurf?) mimiced each other in front of the other Jammers. Sunday's MVP's were clearly Murf and Jerry. FYI, Jerry gives better counter than anyone!!

Sunday night was the awards ceremony and World Series Party. A big meal with appropriate libations were enjoyed by all. Monday consisted of a mass exedus of Jammers. The only jam left was Jerry, Scott and Paul. All that need be said was Scott did 10 consecutive elbow tips along with an over the head turnover to an upside down behind the back sweep to a turnover to a gitis or chair catch (forgive me, I got confused!!!). Monday's MVP was clearly Scott.

Special thanks to Murf. The Number one Jammer in the world committed to this tourney back in the spring and motivated this TD to pull out the stops. I hope if you showed, you had a grand time. If you didn't show, think about next year.

Thank you Jammers...PK