The last few days in June, Carolyn Davis, tournament coordinator for the World Championship Domino Tournament, was busy getting the second batch of tournament brochures in the mail.

The annual tournament, hosted by the Andalusia Rotary Club, brings top-notch domino players to town Friday, July 12 and Saturday, July 13 to compete for almost $20,000 in prize money and trophies.

The competition begins Friday with on-site registration from 7 a.m. until 8 a.m. at the Kiwanis Fair Complex. Domino play starts at 8:30 a.m. Pre-registered players must be present by 7:30 a.m.

Although players are encouraged to pre-register, Davis said they often don't know how many will be competing until the day of the tournament.

"I don't try to keep up with numbers in comparison to last year because you can never tell until the day of tournament how many players we will have," she said.

Pre-registration for the tournament ended on July 1. The pre-registration fee is set at $25 per player for adults, teens ages 13-19 is $15 per player, and for children under the age of 13, it is $10 per player. There is a $5 late fee for registration on or after July 1.

The singles tournament is Friday morning. On Saturday morning, doubles tournament action begins. Adult singles and doubles finals are Saturday afternoon.

To make sure everyone gets to play enough dominoes, round robin tournaments will be held on Friday and Saturday. Singles round robin is Friday afternoon and doubles round robin is Saturday afternoon.

"People can come out and play in the round robin and it only costs $10," Davis said. "They won't win thousands, but they can have a good time and win a trophy."

Prizes for this year are listed on the domino tournament's website, along with other information about the event. Concessions are available provided by the Andalusia High School Band Booster, Davis said.

Since the World Champion-ship Domino Tournament began 27 years ago, more than $450,000 in prize money and trophies has been awarded.

In 1976, the Andalusia Rotary Club began sponsoring the World Championship Domino Tournament as an opportunity for members to render a service and for the club to contribute to several worthy causes.

Davis said the club has longtime sponsors for the domino tournament.

"I think Henderson Sewing Machine has been a sponsor every year but one," she said. "Andalusia Regional Hospital is also a sponsor and has been one before."

Davis said even non-domino players are invited to come and enjoy the tournament.

"You can come and watch the players," she said. "Some people aren't aware that you can come and just enjoy what's going on."

And even if you aren't playing in tournament competition, there may still be an opportunity to get in on a game of dominoes.

"There is always the possibility of a pick-up game," Davis said.

For more information about the World Championship Domino Tournament, contact Carolyn Davis at P.O. Box 276 - Andalusia, AL. 36420 - (334) 222-5830 or visit the tournament website at www.worlddomino.com.

The Andalusia Rotary Club, organized on December 1, 1920, under Charter #801, has encouraged its members to get involved in community activities, and they have lead the way in organizing a chamber of commerce, The United Fund, J. G. Scherf Memorial Foundation, the Andalusia Hospital and the Andalusia Health Services, Inc. Rotarian’s leadership and interest can be seen in their projects, which are supported by events such as the domino tournament. Some of these projects include Boy Scout Troop #45, Covington County’s Junior Miss, Camp ASCCA , International Arion Award to outstanding students in band and choral groups and scholarships to LBW College, MacArthur Technical College and Troy State University.