Medalist in Korea

So December 18th rolled around and we were off to the tournament. The tournament was a blind draw format where lower level players were paired with higher-level players.

Once we got to the tournament we discovered that our qualifying scores were worth money. The first place qualifier received 700,000 won ($700). Second place was awarded 400,000 won ($400). The third place winner received 200,000 won ($200,000).

We also discovered that the only person to score higher than us was the guy running the tournament. Petro and I both agreed that if we knew we were shooting for money during our qualification games, we would have gone back and scored higher. We had no idea at all why were not told that the qualifying games were also for money. Okay, water under the bridge, on to the tournament.

Making a long story short. I won first place and Petro won second. The guy who runs the machines, the same one that outscored us in the qualifying events, was out of the competition in the second round. He must have been having an off day.

So, for first place I was awarded 500,000 won. Petro won another 200,000 I believe.

At the awards ceremony, I was called to the front to receive my trophy and cash. The trophy is nice and the cash was not there. I was given a little flashy card with the amount of cash I had won scrawled across the front. I was encouraged to hold this up to the camera with my trophy as my picture was taken. Okay, I played along…. But where was my cash?

After the ceremony, I spoke with the guy running the tournament. Oh! He needed my bank account number so he could send the money to my account. This is not unusual in Korea. Okay, fine! I gave the guy my account information.

It is now January 19, 2007, and I have not heard from Medalist Korea. The guy running the machines has turned off his phone. The offices of Medalist Korea are not returning phone calls or E-mails.

Here is a hint for anyone planning to visit Korea to play in a Medalist sponsored event. Make sure the money is at the tournament and that they plan on giving it to the players.

I’m out 900,000 won ($900) thanks to Medalist Korea. Someone has really missed the mark over here.