Greater St. Louis Bridge News

News from Greater St. Louis Unit 143

Editor:  Sheryl Finkenstadt, St. Louis MO   sheryl@finkenstadt.com

Overheard at the table:

“Before the game, it is like herding cats to get them to sit down. Once the game has started, it is like herding turtles to get them to move.”

“Don't think too long -- unless the 4 diamonds are 6-0.”

“What are you complaining about, partner? I led my singleton as you told me at the last table. How was I to know that it does not apply to the trump suit?”

“We had a partnership misunderstanding. My partner assumed I knew what I was doing.”

“The brain is a wonderful organ. It starts working the moment you get up in the morning and does not stop until you sit at the bridge table.”

APRIL FOOL!    Bridge may be just a game, or even an addiction, but it is one that entertains us all. What would our lives be without it?

Tom Oppenheimer wins 2009 Ed Schultz Unit Championship Award

In 2009, the Unit renamed the former Player of the Year Award in Ed Schultz's memory. This award is given to that unit member in good standing who has won the most masterpoints in unrestricted Unit-sponsored events in a given calendar year.

The award is designed to promote the participation of the players in Unit143-sponsored events and to recognize an individual's achievement in those events. This reflects loyalty and dedication and, of course, a great deal of skill.

Tom Oppenheimer received the memorial trophy from  Beth Fay, Ed’s wife, at the recent January Sectional.
 

199er Championship Tournament -- March 27, 2010

The tournament brought  63.5 tables to Maryland Heights Community Center -- 41.5 for the morning session and 22 in the afternoon. Jane Ettelson, tourney chair, praised her colleagues for their invaluable help – and the players for having such a good time.

Morning session	Morning Flt A: Paul Radsom & Steve Russell	Morning Flt B & C:  Kathy Botney & Lauren Rice
Tournament Chair Jane Ettelson (center) congratulates Kathy and Lauren	Afternoon Flt A & B: Louise Koenigfeld & Atul Hajela	Afternoon Flt C:  Trish & Dick Lazeroff

District 8 StaC

Results from the District 8 Sectional-at-Clubs found five Unit 143 players placed in the top 10 of the District’s masterpoint winners:

(1)  Arbha Vongsvivut

(2)  Debra Romero

(7)  Donna Pedrotti

(10/11)  Richard Riezman & Roger Lord.

70+% games at local clubs are possible!   

A baker’s dozen of pairs, including 4 married couples, enjoyed really great games in the past two months. Congratulations to: 

Jackie Baker & En Xie  (70.59% on 3-25-10

Joyce Weinstein & Sue Perez  (70% on 3-16-10)

Arbha Vongsvivut & David Drennan (81.25% on 3-4-10)

Karen & Tom Engle (72% on 2-27-10)

Marv & Sandy Meinz (70.83% on 2-24-10)

Norman Athy & Carol Hamilton (73% on 2-22-10)

Louise Ellebracht & Lee Hastings (73.10% on 2-15-10)

Bill & Sheryl Finkenstadt (71.53% on 2-10-10)

Susan Kilo & En Xie (73.36% on 2-9-10)

Don Chase & Del Sylvester (70.92% on 2-3-10)

Don & Regina Hauser (72.22% on 1-29-10)

Sue Perez & Judy Eaton (70.83% on 1-29-10)

Unit membership

Unit 143 now has 1116 members: 53% below 100 masterpoints, 15% above 100 MPs but not yet life masters, 26% life masters who are not yet gold LM, and 5% gold LM or above. Well-deserved congratulations go to the 40 following players who have advanced in rank, as of March 1, 2010.

Upcoming Tournaments

May 14-16, 2010  -- Sectional Tournament, Blanchette Park, St. Charles MO

August 9-15, 2010 -- Regional Tournament, Renaissance Hotel (next to the airport)

September 25, 2010 -- 199er Tournament. Maryland Heights, MO

October 15–17, 2010 -- Sectional Tournament. Blanchette Park, M