Three-time
Decatur Open Tai Long Tey of Memphis is the all-time money winner of the
tournament's 12-year history. Long, a former member of the Malaysian World
Team, has pocketed over $1,100. This year's addition of $125 came when he
finished as a finalist Aug. 16, 2003. Photo by Michael Wetzel
Two-time Olympian and 5-time national singles champion
Sean O'Neill executes a shot in the finals of the 12th annual Decatur Open on
Aug. 16. O'Neill won his second Decatur Open title defeating Tai Long Tey 4-1
in the finals. Photo by Michael Wetzel
Tournament directors Michael Wetzel and Walt Chenault
welcome the sold-out field of the 12th annual Decatur Open at the Aquadome
Recreation Center on Aug. 16. Seventy-three players from 12 states participated
in the 2-star event. Photo by Don Johnson
Sean O'Neill gave a two-session clinic on Sunday, Aug.
17, 2003, at the Aquadome Recreation Center. Here are those attending the
morning clinic. From left, are Roger Dickson, Paul Holliger, Charlie Gover,
Sean, Kyle Franks, Rashid, Igor Chappel, Chris Sharp, David Budenstein and
David Landry. Photo by Michael Wetzel
Those players attending an afternoon session of a
clinic offered by Sean O'Neill at the Aquadome Recreation Center in Decatur,
AL. on Aug. 17, 2003, were: from left, Charlie Gover, Rashid, Chris Sharp,
Roger Dickson, Kyle Franks, Sean, Bill Neely, Roberto, Igor Chappel, Mary S.
Rutherford, Jishnu Saha and David Landry. Photo by Michael Wetzel
Aquadome Recreation Center staff member Connie Holladay is flanked by the 12th
annual Decatur Open finalist, Tai Long Tey, left, and Sean O'Neill. Sean
defeated Tai 4-1 to win his second Decatur Open title on Aug. 16, 2003. Photo
by Michael Wetzel
Sponsors of the Decatur Open since its inception in
1992, Jimmy Smith Jewelers (jsmithjewelers.com) provides the annual champion
with a gold table tennis tie tack or charm (1999 winner Amy Feng doesn't wear
ties). Here Jimmy Smith, Sean O'Neill and Jimmy Ray Smith chat a few hours
before Sean won his second Decatur Open on Aug. 16. Photo by Michael Wetzel
Lang's Sporting Goods of Decatur, a major sponsor of the Decatur Open, helps
provide quality t-shirts and screening to all the tournament players. Here Sean
O'Neill, left, and Lang's owner and manager, Nolan Lang, chat a few hours
before Sean won his second Decatur Open title on Aug. 16, 2003. Photo by
Michael Wetzel
The Decatur Daily has been a major sponsor of the
Decatur Open since its beginning in 1992. Here THE DAILY's publisher Barrett
Shelton Jr., 2-time Olympian Sean O'Neill, Hudson Shelton, William Shelton and
Clint Shelton chat a few hours before Sean won his second Decatur Open title on
Aug. 16, 2003, at the Aquadome Recreation Center. Photo by Michael Wetzel