New Life Master

Congratulations to Burt Moore on becoming a new Life Master. Burt, being an Illinois product, grew up in Galena. From there, Burt continued his education at University of Wisconsin-Platteville. Graduating in 1967, Burt continued his studies, on his way to become a medical Doctor, at the University of Iowa. To complete his degree, Burt put in three years of residency at Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Duty called, and Burt spent the next three years at Fort Hauchuha, Arizona as a member of the United States Army. Finally, in 1975, Burt was able to go into private practice as a pediatrician in Rockford.

As a baby doctor in Rockford, Burt and his wife Debbie are the proud parents of four sons and a daughter. All five children live in the northern Illinois area. The boys include a golf instructor, an electrical engineer, and two public school educators. The youngest child, the girl, is employed as a social director at nursing home. Burt and Debbie have six grandchildren.

Burt’s card career began at an early age, learning to play party bridge with his family. In 1993, Burt discovered the Rockford Bridge Club and his first partner was Kathy Owens. Even though he knew little about duplicate bridge, he and Kathy took first place that evening. Burt’s first mentor into the finer points of duplicate bridge was Mary Bell Moss. From there, Burt developed partnerships with Pam Eden, Bob DeKeyer, Doug St. John, Mike Abarbanel, and Don Malone.

Burt said he really didn’t give much thought to participating in tournaments, so obtaining the rank of life master was far from his mind. Burt’s first gold point was earned at a club game with Don Malone. Then Mike Abarnanel convinced Burt to play in a knock tournament with Lu and Dave Jenkins, doing well, and he earned 16 gold points. In this year’s Rockford Tournament, Don and Burt were paired with two other players in a Swiss teams match, and Burt won the final required silver points to become a Life Master.

Burt’s words of wisdom are “no matter how good a player you think you are, something will happen to humble you in your thinking.” I believe that that is not only true in bridge but in many of our other endeavors. When Burt is not playing bridge or enjoying his family, you can find Burt in his greenhouse, collecting and potting seeds for his large garden. Burt is avid reader and particularly devours any book dealing with history. The Rockford Club is blessed with so many good and congenial competitors, including Burt Moore.

Congratulations to ...

New Junior Masters: Ardythe Edwards, Huntley; Harriet Furst, Freeport; Harry Stoudt, Sterling, David Young, North Aurora

New Club Masters: Christine Davis, North Aurora

New Regional Masters: Eugene Duncanson, Rockford; Frank Hettinger, Aurora; sue hillberry, Rockford; Carol Vojta, Rockford

NABC Masters: Ron Carey, Rockford; Chander Aiyar, Huntley; Gordon Leibert, Elgin; Liz Leibert, Elgin

New Life Masters: Burton Moore, Rockford

New Bronze Life Masters: Sybil Brown, Rockford; Don Malone, Wonewoc, WI; Burton Moore, Rockford

New Silver Life Master: Roy Diesner, Rockford

Gold Life Master: Bob Fashingbauer, Belvidere

The Rockin’ Rockford Regional is moving and changing its name to

The Great Sizzlin’ Illinois Regional

The BIGGEST Regional in The State of Illinois

June 20 – 26, 2011

 Holiday Inn, Route 31 and Three Oaks Road, Crystal Lake, IL

The Holiday Inn ballroom is BIGGER and NICER, with over 11,500 square feet of well-lighted and well-ventilated  playing area  The hotel has an excellent restaurant, free parking, no crowded reception area  and roomy, fresh restrooms. Great room rates, indoor pool, sauna and exercise equipment, friendly hotel staff --and the wonderful Holiday Inn hospitality!

More convenient location in Crystal Lake, whether traveling by car, plane or Metro train. From Rt 90 – exit 31 North – 10 miles to Three Oaks Rd  -- OR – from Rt 14 - exit 31 South – 1 mile.

All with the same GREAT HOSPITALITY FOR WHICH WE ARE FAMOUS!!

All bridge sessions: $12 per person.

Also on the tournament calendar:

Elgin IL Sectional -- January 7-9, 2011 at the Elgin Holiday Inn (495 Airport Rd, off State Hwy. 31). Open and 299 Pairs, Knockout and Swiss Events

Wisconsin Holiday Regional -- December 26 to December 30 at Grand Geneva Resort, Lake Geneva WI