0100 - Fellow South and North Carolina Chessplayers:
The "Carolinas Open" could be the top tournament in
our region with the proper promotion, location,
planning and support. We are moving up the "learning
curve" fast insofar as promotion is concerned. The 
success of the SC Open could be a good indicator of 
our abilities in that regard since we are counting
on its location to pull from the excellent N.C. chess
market. Location is critical. The Charlotte area is a 
prime location, specifically enhanced by the efforts 
that we receive from our friend, NM Leland Fuerstman.
I'm not discounting the other parts of the state of 
S.C., but "you go where the market is" if you want to
succeed. The issue of planning is my forte, so I would
want to be heavily involved in this area, especially 
coordinating with the TD/organizer in the location we
chose. Support is where the "rubber meets the road".  
We need to not only encourage our local players from
our individual areas to plan for this tournament, but
even provide "ways and means" for them to attend. In 
my discussions with Leland, there is the possibility 
of having a tournament within a tournament, whereas 
NC players and SC players will be playing not only 
individually, but as a team, to determine their state
"bragging rights". We did this informally at the
Snowstorm Special and it was a fun sideline. Everyone's 
ideas on this endeavor should be interesting, for some
have never played in a Carolinas Open, but us "old 
fogies" have and they were good tournaments. On the 
other of James suggestions, we do need a discussion 
forum at our state website. I think it would be a great
means for our members to correspond with each other on 
chess subjects as well as a means for the state officers
to hear their issues. I believe that the NC website has 
a discussion forum and it might provide some ideas.

I await your thoughts,
David Causey
Sec/Treas SCCA