Great Western Series
The Great Western Series (GWS), also known as the Great Western Tournament Series, was an American paintball tournament circuit founded in 1991 by Russell Maynard, the first editor of Action Pursuit Games. It organised five-player and ten-player competition, principally in the western United States, and subsequently developed into the Pan Am Circuit.[1][2]
History
[edit]Russell Maynard established the series in 1991. Dan Bonebrake became a promotional partner in 1997. Documented tournament locations included Las Vegas, San Diego, Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle and Hawaii.[1][2]
The series combined major tournaments with affiliated events. Participating teams could organise affiliated competitions to raise funds for their tournament activities.[2]
Contemporary reporting dates the transition to the Pan Am organisation to 1999, with Liz Bonebrake and Jessica Sparks joining as partners. The expanded circuit attempted a national schedule before returning to its established western venues in 2000.[1]
The successor Pan Am circuit was reorganised as the Xtreme Paintball Sports League in 2004.[2]
Competition format
[edit]The Great Western Series used five-player and ten-player formats with limits on the amount of paint carried onto the field. Teams could bring their own paintballs or purchase paint at the tournament.[2]
Some events also included three-player stock-class competition, divided into beginner and advanced categories.[3]
1999 Hawaii tournament
[edit]The Hawaii tournament took place at Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu from 18 to 21 November 1999. Playing environments included woodland, coastal terrain and an inflatable Sup'Air field.[3]
The programme included three-player stock-class, five-player and ten-player competitions.[3]
| Format | Division | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Ten-player | Amateur | Diablo |
| Ten-player | Novice | KAPP |
| Five-player | Amateur | Genesis/Swoop |
| Five-player | Novice | KAPP |
| Five-player | Rookie | Urban Quest II |
| Three-player stock-class | Beginner | Quack Attack |
| Three-player stock-class | Advanced | NIB |
Source: WARPIG's contemporary tournament report.[3]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- “Pan Am Las Vegas 2002”, WARPIG, 4–8 December 2002. Includes a retrospective on the Great Western Series and its transition to Pan Am.
- Bill Mills and Jeff Oliver, “XPSL — San Jose”, WARPIG, 2004.
- “1999 Great Western Series Hawaii Tournament”, WARPIG, 18–21 November 1999.