Unit 223 Reporter

News from Southern Illinois-Paducah Unit 223

Editor:  Karen Coe, 12761 Webb Hill Rd., Ewing IL  62836
Phone: 618-435-4200     finesse002002@yahoo.com

Youth North American Bridge Championships

The first-ever (!) Youth North American Bridge Championships was held in Atlanta from July 3 through 6. Participating were 198 young players from 22 states and two Canadian provinces, and six of the young players were from Unit 223. All the Unit 223 young players were participants in the Bridge Education Program in the public schools and were selected to attend on the basis of performance in Bridge League Play. Unit 223 Board of Directors and District 8 Board contributed toward the expense of making the trip to Atlanta. Col. Chris Shaw received the following letter from participant James Ritz and shared it with the Unit 223 Board:

Dear Mr. & Mrs. Shaw,

Thank you for the money that your group gave my partner Michael Goldstein and I to go to Atlanta for the youth bridge nationals. My partner’s parents and sister went and so did my mom. We really had a great time.

On the way down Wednesday, we had time to stop at Chattanooga, Tennessee and visit Lookout Mountain, Rock City and Ruby Falls.

On Thursday, we decided not to participate in the one afternoon practice session to get some more sightseeing in. We went to The World of Coca-Cola and the Museum of High Art. We really enjoyed both of those things. In the evening, I went swimming with Michael in the hotel pool and had pizza for supper.

On Friday morning, we did pretty good in the single pair practice session. Later that day we played with Braydon Braun and Mitch Cline from Beecher City IL for the Swiss team practice. We did average in the Swiss Teams event. That evening there were free hot dogs for supper and I went bowling with my mom after that.

On Saturday, we paired up for the Single Pair Nationals. Michael and I did not do well, not knowing that we were in the wrong section. We found this out later after talking to Mr. Shaw. You see, everyone that my partner and I played had over two years of experience or more, and we’ve only been playing contract bridge for about one year. Braydon and Mitch did well and they got fourth overall. They were playing in a different section than we were. They also earned some masterpoints that day. That evening we all went to Stone Mountain. Michael, Michael’s dad and I rode the tram up to the top of the mountain. You can see downtown Atlanta from up there. We then hiked down the mountain and got back just in time for the show. My mom and Michael’s sister saved a place for all of us on the lawn. The laser and fireworks show was impressive!

Sunday, we paired up with Braydon and Mitch for the Swiss Team National. Michael and I made slam once and we finished in the top half, and earned some masterpoints. After finishing we took off to return home to Effingham, getting there at 1:30 Monday morning.

Some of the things I learned at the tournament were:

* Do not bid too high.

* How to treat your partner properly and be treated properly by your partner.

* There are a lot of smart kids who play bridge.

* Everybody was really nice.

* Kids came from all over and were friendly.

* And most of all – HAVE FUN!

Again, thank you for giving me the opportunity to participate in the FIRST Youth North American Bridge Championships. It is an experience I will never forget!

Sincerely,
     James Ritz, Effingham IL

What a charming letter, and how wonderful to know that enthusiastic young players are being produced by the Bridge Education Program in the public schools. The 2009 Youth North American Bridge Championships are projected to be held in Washington DC.

Congratulations to these players who advanced in rank as of July 1, 2008:

New Jr. Master:  David Mindrup, Glen Carbon,IL

New Club Masters:  Barbara Walker, Metropolis IL and Steven Wheeler, Highland IL

New Sectional Masters:  Pam Fee, Paducah KY; Phillip Fultz, Benton KY; David Klingsick, Edwardsville IL; Susan Pensoneau, Collinsville IL; Bonnadean Reimer, Mt Vernon IL; and Sharon Vandeveer, Marion IL

New Bronze Life Master:  Bud Hawkins, Mt Vernon IL

New Silver Life Masters:  David Drennan, Granite City IL and Doug McQuaid, Lebanon IL

And two new Life Masters:  Patrick Dunkel, Mt Carmel IL and Bill Lentz, Paducah KY

New Location for Paducah Saturday DBC

The Saturday Duplicate Bridge Club of Paducah KY has relocated to 3553 Park Plaza. The club meets weekly at 12 noon on, of course, Saturday. The club’s new location is mapped on the “Find a Club” section of www.acbl.org. For further information, contact Club Manager and Director Julia Rambo,at (270) 247-7924.

Irwin Cobb Sectional Tournament

Unit 223’s next Sectional will be the Cobb, Aug. 29th through the 31st. This year the tournament will be located in the Baymont Inn, Metropolis IL, next door to Harrah's  Casino. Play commences on Friday, Aug. 29th, at 1:00 P.M. with Stratified Pairs. A Knockout will be offered starting that evening at 7:00. Play concludes on Sunday with Stratified Swiss Teams. 

Partnership Chair for the tournament is Maxine Wynn:  (270) 554-5719 or t_wynn@bellsouth.net. Phone number for the Baymont Hotel is (618) 524-5678 and a Bridge Rate is available. Tournament Chair:  Jim Kallaher (270) 444-6882 or jkallaher@bellsouth.net.

The annual membership meeting for Unit 223 will be held between sessions on Saturday, Aug. 30.

Busy Sectional Calendar

Unit 223 has several other upcoming sectional tournaments.  Please mark your calendars now and plan to attend: