The inaugural Coldwell Banker Jamaica Realty Backgammon Tournament was held Saturday, June 4, at the Spanish Court Hotel, St Andrew had an unusual twist. Businessman Roy D’Cambre outlasted the field and scooped the first top prize in the master’s division and pocketed $250,000, while the OAaSIS International Foundation was allowed to showcase and offer Jamaican art for sale.

The OAaSIS-staged exhibition was strategically of works by Prince Ewan Dain who focusing on the environment, recycles discarded material to create his durable art.

 

Meantime the backgammon tournament attracted 36 players who vied for J$600,000 in total prize money. Lamont Haskins, visiting from New York, secured the top spot in the intermediate division and $40,000 for his efforts. The tournament featured the island’s leading backgammon players plus the added presence of Antionette-Marie Williams, a doyenne of the backgammon scene in her home town, New York City. Co-ordinator of the World Backgammon Championships in Monte Carlo every year, she came specially for the tournament. 

It was sports at many levels offering something for everyone, despite religion, colour, culture, creed. The food was good, and soon after the winners were awarded, Coldwell’s Andrew Issa introduced some spontaneous fun with the ‘travelling of the jacket’ initially worn by Kynan Cooke.

 

Backgammon is fast becoming a popular option to bridge, pool, bingo for some Jamaicans especially businesspersons networking across Jamaica. Following a spade of weekly games at varied locations, the tournament is the brainchild of Alastair Macbeath.

 

Main sponsors were Wisynco, Best Dressed Chicken, Wray & Nephew, Track Price Plus, The Spanish Court hotel and Coldwell Banker Jamaica Realty.