With the Bob Symon Memorial Handball Tournament set for this coming weekend on the four YMCA courts, entries are still coming in and a larger field of contestants is assured for the eighth annual event.

Entries will close on Monday at Jon Symon's office in Kansas City and the tournament committee will meet at that time to make the draw and set up the playing field. Play will begin Friday, continue through Saturday and conclude on Sunday. There will be no admission charge.

Last year, the tournament boasted a field of 48, including 16 in the open singles and 32 in the contender's singles.

Mike Gardner, St. Joseph native and nationally-ranked player, won the open singles last year and is expected back to defend his title. Jim Faulk of Dallas finished second. In the contender's singles, Alonzo Lewis of St. Louis claimed the title while David Stephens was second.

This year's tournament will again feature cash awards: $400 to first place, $200 to second, $100 to third and $50 to fourth place.

The tournament is sponsored by Jon Symon and the St. Joseph Gymnastics Society with Bill Rosenthal the current president. The local committee will meet at 6:15 p.m. Monday. That committee includes Spud Hunt, Jim Roth, William Weipert, Bill Hurley, Dr. Harvey Ryder, Dr. Phil Lipira and Bob Schiesl. YMCA staffers include Fred Hauser, Darrell Huggins and Fred Hoffman.