Let Us Help

I was invited at the last minute to play in a Scotch Doubles tourney a few weeks ago.  It was a cool little event, too! Women-only matched-up pairings and best of all → most of the proceeds of the tourney would help a team or two with expenses to go to Nationals!  I think having tournaments to raise money for travel expenses for teams to go to Nationals in any league is a GREAT idea.  :)

One of my girlfriends was with me when I got the invite so asked her to play and she was all excited to help out!  However, we would find out after a few phone calls that the league director and tourney director wouldn't let her play because she's a Master player.

What?

I realize the other teams wanted a chance to win and it's tough to beat a team with a Master player, but they risked that over us bringing in more funds for the fundraiser?

I would welcome all to a fundraiser! 

Also, I would not only have entered, but I would have bought raffle tickets to help them out, too.  But, we weren't welcomed.  :(

Although I "kinda" understand, I think for a fundraiser people might want to reconsider who they turn down to play since the ultimate goal is to go to Nationals, not win a local tourney. 

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I think it's humorous that many of my posts start out with intentional themes in my mind, but sometimes by the time I'm done writing, I second guess my thoughts, actions, and words.

Let's face it - if *I* didn't care about winning that little tourney, I could have shown up to play without a Master player, huh?

(although I still stick by the notion they should allow anyone to play in fundraisers)