Let me start by saying it was a privilege to GM Acquire's return to the Century in 2004! This year we had two rounds of play. In each round each player had to compete in two games. We gave points based on placement. 7 for first, 4 for second and so on. We had six groups of 4 in the first round with three folks scoring 11 or more points. In the second round we had seven groups of four play and six folks scored 11 or more points. So nine great performances merited consideration for the final. The tie breaker was based on money earned in the two games of either round. The four who advanced to the final were:

Al Mink
Craig Moffitt
David Gantt
Don Lubreski

who earned over $87,000 to qualify.

Although participation levels were roughly the same as in 2003, the format ensured enough player hours were generated to return Acquire to the Century for 2005.

The final was never in doubt as David Gantt was first in two early mergers of Imperial. He racked up stock after stock and trade after trade on the way to his win. The battle for second was very close and the third and fourth slots were settled by a mere $100 difference. The final scores were:

David Gantt $62,400
Al Mink $41,700
Don Lubreski $39,900
Craig Moffitt $39,800

It was David's fourth wood but his first since 1997 - thus ending a seven year personal drought while his buddies in the Greenville Mafia carted home beaucoup honors.

All of the remaining laurelists were new to the top six in this event since WBC's inception in 1999.