Greater
St. Louis Bridge NewsGreater
St. Louis Bridge NewsEditor:
Sheryl Finkenstadt, St. Louis MO sheryl@finkenstadt.com
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"Sometimes, a rule is really best thought of as a rule of thumb."
Just because you have an agreement with partner doesn’t mean you should stop
playing bridge. |
Congratulations
Grand Life Master Tom Kniest (right in photo) has won his third national championship -- the Fast Pairs at the Summer NABC in Philadelphia.
Partnered with Ed Schulte (Tampa FL), the pair posted a 67.7% game in the final
session to capture the title by less than half a board.
Kniest is also a
two-time winner of the
Rockwell Mixed Pairs Championships with Karen Walker.
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St. Louis' Bragging Rights teams won two of three events in the Missouri “Bragging Rights” KO team championship held at the Columbia MO Sectional on June 9. The teams came within 7 IMPs of sweeping this annual face-off. The Flt C team (Dennis Abeln, Kevin Clarkin, Steve Russell & Mark Prosser) led impressively throughout and the KC team withdrew. The Flt B team (Veena Uberoi, Phyllis Siegel, Jay Shah & Roseanne Stice) had a roller-coaster ride. After being down by a huge margin at the half, Flight B came from behind to take a lead into the fourth quarter and held on to win by 1 IMP. Jay says, "Never let it be said that one overtrick isn't important in a team game!" On another rollercoaster, the Flt A team (Steve Brauss, Jerry Spencer, Lee Hastings, Mark Boswell & NPC Emmy the Wonder Dog!) led at the end of the first quarter, fell behind by a huge margin at the half, came back to within 7 at the end of the third quarter, and lost by 7. |
Flight A: Steve Brauss, Jerry Spencer,
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Flight C: Dennis Abeln, Kevin
Clarkin, |
Flight B: Veena Uberoi, Phyllis Siegel, |
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Youth
Scholarships
Rieley and Brandon Fitzgerald (left) were awarded scholarships to the fourth annual Youth Bridge Camp. The Unit 143 Board of directors awarded two scholarships to children or grandchildren of Unit 143 members who were eligible to attend the youth bridge camp.
Led by Chris Shaw, Education director for District 8, his wife Mary Lattan Shaw, and a group of volunteer counselors and instructors (including Mike Huston from Joplin MO), the Youth Bridge Camp became the first residential bridge camp in the country for students entering 6th through 10th grades in the fall of 2012.
This year there were 49 campers. The six-day, five-night residential camp was held at Lake Williamson Christian Center in Carlinville IL from June 24-30. Campers were divided into beginner, intermediate, and advanced bridge classes for daytime instruction.
Phyllis Siegel taught and George
Marvin was the table coach for the 20 beginners for the week. Steve Reiss and
Amy Stabenow served as camp registrars for the second time. Steve was also a
counselor and Amy was an invaluable aide, part-time first-aid person, and table
coach.
Now you have a chance! The annual Pro-Am Auction Charity game for Backstoppers will be held at Bridge Haven on August 26 at 6:00 pm. Last year, Backstoppers received $5000 from Bridge Haven players.
There are 50 volunteers for whom you can bid; high bid gets to play with the “Pro.” Many, many good players are willing to enjoy a game with you, including Grand Life Master Tom Kniest. Also participating as a “Pro” is Phillip Alder, New York Times bridge columnist. Bidding ends at noon on August 12. Call Barbara (314-374-6027) or email Chuck (Starovasnik@sbcglobal.net).
The 199er Championship has new starting times: 10 a.m. & 3 p.m. The two single-session, sectionally rated events offer silver points, trophies, hand records and snacks. Play in one or both sessions on September 29, 2012 at the Maryland Heights Community Center.
The championship is open to all bridge players with fewer than 200 masterpoints. Because demand is high, reservations are requested for the 10 a.m. session. Those without reservations will be seated on a space-available basis. For reservations or partnerships, contact Lee Hastings, Tournament Chair (314-518-9774 or email 199reservation@gmail.com).
St. Louis Bridge Center debuts on October 1, 2012. Bill Canfield, on the SLBC board of directors, said enthusiastically, “It’s a concept whose time has come for St Louis. The St. Louis Bridge Center is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. It will be directly influenced by its members and governed by a Board of Directors. The success of the Center relies entirely upon the strength and support of its members.”
On Monday, October 1, the games currently held at the Occidental Lodge and the Olivette Community Center will relocate to the completely renovated, ADA-compliant, St. Louis Bridge Center (8616 Olive, St. Louis MO). Later in October, Jerry Helms, ACBL Bridge Bulletin contributor, will be celebrating with the players on October 23-24. For further information, check out the Bridge Center's web pages.
Unit 143 now has 1190 members, more than half with fewer than 100 MPs. Many thanks and kudos to those involved in promoting our vigorous newcomer program! Well-deserved congratulations go to the following 36 players who have advanced in rank between June 1 and August 1, 2012.
New Junior Masters (5+)Delaine Boyd Morton L Brown Theodore Fahs Maureen M Ottenlips Sam Ottenlips Dennis L Whitmore New Club Masters (20+)Barbara M Brown Mark Coe Karen E Graves Renee E Hartstein Cheryl L Judd Ruth A Kessler Nancy S Labrier New Sectional Masters (50+)Charlene Bry Sally M Canfield John B Millham Arthur O'Mara Cynthia S Peters Crystal B Spencer |
New Regional Masters (100+)Roxy W Kesler Dr Hong Liu Augustyn J Ortynski Hope M Wood New NABC Masters (200+)Gene Fluri Louise Koenigsfeld Fay Wuest
Mark Ziegelman New Bronze Life Masters (500+)Jackie Baker Ron Combs Michael J Mitra Barbara Stewart
Margaret M Taylor New Silver Life Masters (1,000+)Karla Hahn Edward R Samuels
Scott Tilsen New Platinum Life Master (10,000+)Rod Van Wyk |
August 6-12: Gateway to the West Regional, Renaissance Hotel (next to airport).
September 29: 199er Championship, Maryland Heights. Silver Points. Open to anyone with fewer than than 200 masterpoints, regardless of residence.
October 19-21: Fall Sectional, Blanchette Park, St. Charles
