You usually define event officials as "masterful"...but this year's MASTERS at KCRC were, as the title above suggests, FULL of all the things you attend an SPA contest for. Flying, funnin', fellowshipping, joking around, serious competition, and this Masters......more of the usual show of affection for each other, precipitated by the recent loss of our beloved members, Jim Ivey, Bill Kite and Cass Underwood. One of our Senior members was overheard saying "if there's a closer knit group than the SPA members, they'd have to be held together with one of Granny's old garters".

Golly, what a week-end......four full rounds of regular competition and those delightful, "knee-knockin'" FLY_OFF championships. The fly-off for the Memorial Trophy and each of the other classes, is, without a doubt, the pinnacle of SPA participation. Ed Hartley and Mrs. Rachel graded the score sheets for each of the classes THREE (3) times to assure accuracy. Wait'll you see the scores, especially the Memorial Trophy competition to validate the need for this scrutiny on behalf of the Hartleys.

When MASTERS Skipper Dennis Hunt became incapacitated due to his illnesses, First Mate Ed stepped right up to the helm and drove the MASTERS ship, directed by Navigator Phil Spelt, right in to the contest port known as SUCCESS. I am "privvy" to the detailed financial report shared privately with me by Hartley.....and this, not only was the most successful Masters contest in the field of just plain "enjoyment", but durned if KCRC didn't fare VERY well in the receipts department as well, thanks to you good folks purchasing the raffle tickets and Pyramid Hobbies making most of the prizes available. Others came from other sources (Dan)....Ed, Phil, Dennis and KCRC are mucho grateful !!

At the MASTERS banquet, this year the main speaker for the event was none other than our own FOUNDER, Mickey Walker. Mickey detailed the formulation of SPA and answered questions, with no reservations, to all during a Q & A session. He said "SPA is growing now like I had hoped it would at its' origin"! He was so grateful for the leadership and direction. Whatta guy!

What a delight to see the NOVICE class with a whopping 16 entries and all dealing with the strong winds of Saturday with skilled finesse......er uh, in MOST rounds. Check with a certain flier from D GA. for a bit of a "mod" from the above sentence. The "practice" that reveals itself this late in a season was evident with much improved flying from the seasons' beginning. Had there been a "hard-luck" trophy, it would have been won by our beloved friend and companion from Kingsport, TN, Mr. Rhea Starnes,....you recall the tall poplar tree that Jim Ivey was able to recoup and land after having flown thru the top of....that's the very one that grabbed Mr. Rhea's airplane. Show you what kind of fellow Starnes is, he remained on the scene all day Saturday rooting for ALL participants. Starnes, like all of us, sorely missed our late "flying buddies" but recalled the "good" times we'd shared with them in the past.

I'm trying to recall the last Masters entry from Texas, before this season. Seems it was quite a while ago, maybe the mid 90's when Cal Scully and his Son-in-Law came from the Lone Star state to a Masters in Hotlanta. This year it was a joy to have Ellis "Kinky" Newkirk, a prominent pattern patron from the 70's and 80's rekindle his talents with a Jerry Black DB. Newkirk said, "I must stimulate some of this SPA activity around Dallas".

What excellent EXPERT competition....only 23 "normalized" points separating 1st and 3rd with the winner winning only round 3 but the high scores of rounds 2 and 4 totaling enough "booty" to crown him the winner. What a class this is going to be in 08. Jamie Strong (CSP) in handing out the "points" trophies said "what a great job these winners have done this season, I have a feeling the consistent winners are in for a surprise in 08". Strong was of course, directing his remarks to those that will "move up".

Results are elsewhere, the trophies are going to be cherished for many years to come and it's hoped that each time they are viewed, or just the results for those of you who will "hone" your skills and garner the gold in future events, that your memories of this event are as delightful as a crisp early Fall morning.

Ed Hartley, you Old F_ _ _ you, you still direct a Good event , just like years ago when you did it at the old Knoxville site just off Lovell Road. Ed told me privately, it was a joy working with Co-CD Phil Spelt. We're just "give-out" but its' a pleasant feeling "give-out" and we're gonna be constantly by Dennis's side as he continues his return to good health which "hopefully is gonna be soon". (Did YOU teach Joel Hebert to sing that beautifully, and Phil, what an inspiration your petition to the Chief was). I'm just glad to associate with a group like KCRC.

Bruce Underwood PIO

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These Pictures taken by Gary Lindner Of KCRC
 

Fly Off Winners
Senior Expert
1st Mickey Walker 324.3 Marietta Georgia	2nd Keith Watson 320.3 Marietta Georgia
Expert
1st Jerry Black 358.5 Jonesboro Tennessee	2nd Randy Roberts 350.8 Cullman Alabama
3rd Jamie Strong 333.0 Prattville Alabama
Sportsman
1st Chris Gregory 310.5 Resaca Georgia	2nd Jim Rogers 283 Marietta Georgia
Novice
1st Mike Robinson 175.1 Dalton Georgia	2nd Don Eilor 169.5 Knoxville Tennessee

Raffle Prize Winners
Spektrum DX7 Radio System From Horrizon Hobbies and Pyramid Hobbies Ellis Newkirk - Dallas Texas	A-6 Intruder From AirBorne Models & Pyramid Hobbies Robbie Walker - Cullman AL	$100.00 Gift Certificate From Pyramid Hobbies Mike Robinson - Dalton GA
$100.00 Gift Certificate From Pyramid Hobbies Steve Byrum - Cullman AL	$100.00 Gift Certificate From Pyramid Hobbies Jamie Strong - Prattville AL	We thank those Suppliers who were so instrumental in the success of our contest. Pyramid Hobbies http://www.pyramidhobbies.com Horizon Hobby http://www.horizonhobby.com AirBorne Models Http://www.airborne-models.com Be sure and support these fine companies! They support the Senior Pattern Association!

More Pictures from Gary Lindner
Phil Spelt
Bruce Underwood