Causeway spreads to four corners

Michael Tang has not being resting on his laurels since pulling off the biggest ever Causeway Challenge, in Johor Bahru three months ago, followed by the outrageously ambitious Tournament of Champions event.

Now he has announced that, from 2012, the Causeway Challenge concept will spread across the year in four regional franchises.

The circuit kicks off with the Melbourne Causeway, from 9 to 12 March 2012 (entries close off 9 December 2011). This is followed by Vancouver, May 25–28 (close-off 9 March 2012); Manchester, 17–20 August 2012 (close-off 9 June) and the traditional Johor Bahru, 28 November – 2 December 2012 (close-off 9 September).

Each of the first three Causeway events will have three divisions: Premier division for players with WESPA ranking of 1800 upwards; Masters for ranking of 1500 to 1800; and Open for below 1500.

There will be prizes for the top 10 finishers in each division, ranging from US$10,000 down to $500 in Premier; $2000 to $300 in Masters; and $1000 to $200 in Open. Tang is also offering a number of special prizes, including $10,000 for the player who has scored the most 'Causeway points' in the Premier section at all four events.

The prize structure for Johor Bahru will be announced at the end of the 2011 event.

In announcing the new franchise programme, Tang said: "I believe these four cities are the best strategic location to address the core group of tournament Scrabble players today. Rest assured that I am already working on expanding the Causeway circuit for 2013."

2 March 2011