A record 141 players from all over the globe entered the Halco
Atlanta Open, making it the biggest tournament in Georgia and the event is only in its fourth year. Special guest Ken Stillman, the USSRA's new president as of June, flew in for this tournament. And, "I will be back for next year's event" he proclaimed.

Many main-draw pro players arrived early to take part in the activities that tournament directors Andre and Danielle Maur had planned. For instance, one of the week's highlights was an exclusive sponsor and player party, held at East Andrews Cafe. Free drinks and food abounded, compliments of Richard Skaggs and his staff. The group partied all night long, as Lionel Richie would say! All participant's received a cotton playing shirt and a Nike microfiber plus Juvena skincare of Switzerland graciously donated gift bags for all participants.

Five kegs of beer and a Chinese buffet dinner later, the players were raving over the tournament's hospitality. And those who had been knocked out of the main draw had a chance to catch up on their tans by relaxing poolside in temperature's that were in the 80's. Saturday night was "Vision Night"; all participant's had waited for this moment. Danielle and Andre had hired a limo bus, which
carried all the amateur players,pro players and sponsors to Vision, the hottest nightclub in Atlanta. Great music and catered food adorned our private glass VIP room. With a couple of drinks in hand, we witnessed the packed club dance the night away.

Sunday was final's day, and what a day it was for Mother's Day! A packed gallery enjoying Atlanta Gourmet's catering anxiously awaited the special guests: Evander Holyfield and Manager Jimmy Thomas. The Final between Victor Berg and Mark Heather was
a 90 min. Hitchcock thriller with Berg edging past Heather 17-16 in the fifth to lift his first Atlanta Open title. Berg said he would come back and defend his title next year!