Editing Great Western Series (section)

== History ==

=== Establishment (1991–1996) ===

The Great Western Series was founded in 1991 by Russell Maynard, a paintball journalist and former editor of ''Action Pursuit Games'' magazine.[1]

The circuit developed as a regional alternative to national tournament competition, with events organised throughout the western United States.

Its structure allowed amateur teams to compete in organised tournaments while reducing some of the travel and paintball costs associated with national competition.[2]

The series also sanctioned affiliated tournaments organised by participating teams, enabling them to raise funds for further competitive participation.[2]

=== Expansion (1997–1998) ===

Dan Bonebrake joined Maynard as a promotional partner in 1997.[1]

The 1997 season included tournaments in Las Vegas, Nevada; San Francisco, California; and Portland, Oregon.

At the Las Vegas event, the Great Western Series and [[National Professional Paintball League]] (NPPL) organised separate tournaments at the same venue over the same weekend. The arrangement allowed divisional GWS teams to compete alongside a national tournament attended by professional players.[4]

The 1997 San Francisco tournament was held at [[Mare Island Paintball]] in Vallejo, California. Hostile Takeover won the amateur 10-player division, while Lofty II won the novice 10-player competition.[5]

The Portland tournament took place at Enchanted Acres Paintball Park in Scappoose, Oregon. The venue was operated by Dan and Liz Bonebrake and hosted five-player and 10-player competition on wooded playing fields.[6]

The series returned to Enchanted Acres in 1998. Contemporary coverage recorded teams including KAPP, Lofty, Phantom Force, Outsiders and Captain Geech and the Shrimp Shack Shooters.[7]

=== 1999 Hawaii tournament ===

From 18 to 21 November 1999, the Great Western Series held a major tournament at Turtle Bay Resort on the north shore of Oahu, Hawaii.[8]

The competition included five-player, 10-player and three-player stock-class divisions, with playing areas incorporating woodland, coastal terrain and an inflatable Sup'Air field.

Diablo won the amateur 10-player division, while [[KAPP]] won the novice 10-player competition.

In the five-player divisions, Genesis/Swoop won amateur, KAPP won novice and Urban Quest II won rookie.

The stock-class competition was divided into beginner and advanced categories, won by Quack Attack and NIB respectively.

The tournament concluded with an awards ceremony recognising event winners and the 1999 series champions.[8]

=== Transition to Pan Am (1999–2000) ===

In 1999, the Great Western Series organisation underwent restructuring with the addition of Liz Bonebrake and Jessica Sparks as promotional partners.[1]

The expanded competition became known as the Pan Am Paintball Circuit.

The Pan Am initially attempted to establish tournaments beyond the western United States. However, contemporary coverage reported limited participation outside the region, and the circuit subsequently concentrated on its established western venues.[1][2]

By March 2000, tournaments were operating under the Pan Am name, including an event in Las Vegas that retained the limited-paint format associated with the Great Western Series.[9]

The Pan Am continued until its reorganisation as the Xtreme Paintball Sports League in 2004.[2]