The Americas 
                      * 12/8/02 
                               2002 U.S. Open (4-Dec -- 8-Dec) 
                               Results Day 4 -- Rory Kelley 


                      Saturday:  Talk about red hot....there are two players
                      playing somewhere where no other man has traveled.
                      Play-offs began  in the Championship ( Open flight ).
                      Rock Kraft bt Cameron Guernsey 26-4
                      Johnny Mitchell bt. Roy Gee 18-14
                      Richard Powell bt. Charlie Smith 18-15
                      Rory Kelley bt. Russell Uhler 17-12
                      Losers dropped into the plate event ( Optional )
                      Kraft took on MItchell and won with an easy victory +26.
                      Powell and Kelley battled it out with Powell coming out 
                      on top 26-8.  Powell took nine, Kelly hit in and stuffed
                      thre back on an easy hoop shot.  He was heard 
                      complaining about sideline " Cell phone " conversation
                      that carried onto the court. 
                      Powell and Kraft took to the court with Powell going 
                      around with his two balls , one for the peg and one
                      for pentultimate. Kraft took controled, took nine and 
                      set a excellent leave.  Powell missed, and Kraft took
                      charge.  Kraft form was excellent.
                      Time was running out ( two hour games ) and Kraft new 
                      he had to get at least one peel in to tie.
                      Kraft did his 4 back peel after he made pentultimate.
                      With a good escape ball Kraft rushed to rover, made his 

                      roquet, and had a short take off to get in front of the 
                      his hoop.  Kraft ended up with an angle hoop shot, and 
                      stuffed, leaving Powell wired from the ball, thus 
                      forcing Powell to lift to the B baulk line.  Powell hit 
                      Krafts Red ball that had bee peeled, but could not 
                      finish his turn.  time ran out and Powell did a good 
                      job of leaving Kraft with a long shot.
                      Kraft missed and Powell won 22-21.
                      POWELL after three big wins, had to face Britt Ruby who 
                      was defeated in a best of three by Rich Lamm.
                      Lamm 26/23 and 26/3.  Not too steller of either games.
                      Rich is on a roll and playing solid croquet with
                      greata focus.  Ruby/Powell match up held the crowds
                      interest for half the game, with each player getting 
                      their first nine, but having Ruby then fall into a hole
                      that he could climb out of.  Powell, tired and worn,
                      held his composure and was steady, but not fancy, 
                      prevailed 26/11.  
                      Rich Lamm and Richard Powell will play Sunday in a 
                      best two out of three finals.
                      Britt Ruby is third in the tournament at 8 wins and 4 
                      losses, Ren ( Rock ) Kraft fourth ( with a 10 and 2 
                      record ), Rory Kelley ( 9 wins and 3 losses ) and 
                      Johnny Mitchell (7 wins 4 losses) tied for fifth.
                      High hamdicap B Robert Coleman won his flight beating 
                      Aviv Katz + 3, David Cartwright and Phyllis Butts tied 
                      for third place.
                      Low B flighthas Bob Riddel and Len Lyon in the finals 
                      on Sunday.  Melanie Marsac ( 80 + years young ) and 
                      Gordon Smale tied for third.  .
                      Plate finalist are Art Bagby and Roy Gee, who will play 
                      Sunday.
                      Weather is super , mid 70's , and sunny.