Rod Davidson, Andy Lewis and GM Rob Kircher beckon.	Kelly Krieble and Rob Kircher
Pat Mirk, Andy Latto and Roger Budz.	John Shaheen and Barb Roeper

I would to thank everyone for playing again and express special appreciation to those bringing games. We had six games in each of the first two heats and four in the third heat.

During the heats, Pat Mirk again took top score honors with 262. In the short game department, Bob Wicks had the lowest winning score with 96 in a 4-player game. Top cash went to Roger Budz with 88. In the 4-player games Bill Peeck took the top cash with 72. Proving that you do not need cash, Bob Wicks won his game with only 29 cash. In other notable games, Rod Davidson and Pat Mirk were able to make 16 connections in 7-point cities for 112 points, tying the record. Andrew Kiefe was able to make 16 connections with 4-point cities. Rodger Budz made 18 connections in 5-point cites breaking Bill Burch's record of 15.

In the semifinals, Richard Shay edged John Shaheen by four points with 14 connections of 4-point cities, taking out 2006 champ Bob Wicks in the process. Rob Winslow took top cash, connecting San Francisco for 12 and a double Albuquerque for 30 to crush his table by 31 over third-ranked Rob Kircher. Bill Herbst won his table with the best combo of 6- and 7-point cities, relegating 2003 champ Andy Lewis to a distant fourth. However, the upset of the day was turned in by Roger Budz who eked out a four-point win to eliminate the last three champions in one game.

Semi #1
Richard Shay 30 cash + 161 cities = 191
John Shaheen 51 cash + 136 cities = 187
Bob Wicks 32 cash + 151 cities = 183
Stephen Squibb 41 cash + 136 cities = 177

Semi #2
Rob Winslow 42 cash + 119 cities = 161
Rob Kircher 30 cash + 100 cities = 130
William Hoch 22 cash + 107 cities = 129
Rod Davidson 37 cash + 90 cities = 127

Semi #3
Bill Herbst 28 cash + 142 cities = 170
Barb Roeper 35 cash + 122 cities = 157
Pat Mirk 27 cash + 104 cities = 131
Andy Lewis 44 cash + 86 cities = 130

Semi #4
Rodger Budz 40 cash + 114 cities = 154
Mike Shea 25 cash + 125 cities = 150
Kevin Wojtaszczyk 6 cash + 143 cities = 149
Tom Demarco 40 cash + 100 cities = 140

The four finalists didn't have a laurel to their name, so 2012 would crown a new champion. Early in the game, Kansas Pacific (yellow) was pushed north connecting to Duluth and branched on its way to Seattle. Santa Fe (blue) was run due south hitting Houston and run across through LA to San Francisco. By mid game Kansas had reached Seattle with no hope of ever making Denver. Santa Fe finished out reaching Salt Lake City. Southern Pacific (white) followed along Santa Fe and raced out to LA, then back to Salt Lake City, reaching Rapid City from the west. By the end game, Union Pacific (green) was sent north to Canada and also through the center with Denver, making Salt Lake City. Great Northern (green) ran west making the Pacific in Seattle and had no other route but to make Sacramento. With the number of trains making the coast the 7-point cities were going to prove decisive. Roger played early for cash, but did not have west cities in the end. Rich had much better cities than Roger but only two west coast cards. Rob made 12 connections with his 7-point cards and had the second most cash. However, in one of the closest finishes ever, Bill connected 14 7-point cards and retained just enough cash to beat Rob by two points and Rich by three. Bill had also played the most city cards with 13 to Rich's 12. Both Rob and Roger had ten.

Final Scores:
Bill Herbst 34 cash + 154 cities = 188
Rob Winslow 42 cash + 144 cities = 186
Rich Shay 38 cash + 147 cities = 185
Roger Budz 59 cash + 117 cities = 176

He who shan't be named is all decked out in his Legion shirt and ever so stylish chain. Roger Budz has eminently better taste in head gear.	Rob Winslow fends off the younger set as Michael Wojtaszcyzk and Danny Lewis feign respect for their elders.