Once again, members of Unit 239 can celebrate!

We have some new members, and several members advanced to higher levels. The annual Turkey Bowl was a success; thanks Chairmen John Pree and Van Stone! We can all start planning to attend the Snow Flake Silver Sectional to be held January 4^th to 6^th.

Welcome to these new members: Ari Harding (Gary,) Janet Payne (Dixon,) and Victoria Predergast (Geneva)

Advancing members include:

Junior Masters: Bruce Jasper (Rockford,) Tim Toomey (Algonquin,) and Craig Stitzell (St. Charles) Club Masters: Jon Clemmons (Freeport,) Karen Sellek (Johnsburg,) and Lorna Sullivan (Rockford)

Sectional Masters: Michael Chakofan (Crystal Lake,) John Knoll (Huntley,) John Litgen (Schaumburg,) Nancy Esterl (Rockford,) Douglas Gilroy (Rockford,) Mary Boyd (Freeport,) Mary Caskey (Rockford,) and Sandra Mulligan (Rockford)

Regional Masters: Joann Burton (Sun City, Arizona) and Terry Gehrke (Winnebago)

NABC Masters: Helen Bauer (Elburn) and John Wallbaun (Aurora)

Advanced NABC Masters: Gary Brigel (Aurora,) Robert Huffington (Rockford,) and Fran Fey (Rockford)

Life Masters: Philip Cummutu (Huntley) Matt Sinkovits (Plano)

Bronze Life Masters: Rudy Bruntyn (Huntley) and Odis Thomas (Winnebago)

Silver Life Master: Rich Gunderson (Earlville)

Sapphire Life Master: Richard Whitsitt (Rockford)

Rich Gunderson talks about his bridge experiences upon becoming a Silver Life Master.

Shiela, my wife of 47 years, and I live out in the country near Harding, Illinois. When people ask "where is Harding?", I always say it’s a suburb of Earlsville, which leads to "where is Earlsville?" In other words, it’s a long way to any bridge game.

I started playing bridge in late 2007 when I heard of an ACBL game in Sandwich and Yorkville. My first game, I was matched up with Bob Lee as my partner, and we have been playing together ever since. My thanks to Bob for sticking with me.

Of course, I have played with other partners. Greg Rozborski and I played at the Lake Geneva Regional tournament and enjoyed winning red and gold, I was even fortunate enough to be able to play with John Kinst, who was one of the best players I have ever played with.

Finally, I would like to thank Karl and Peggy Anderson for the celebration pizza and cake party at Yorkville once I achieved my new rank.

Remember! Bridge is a game. Enjoy it!   – Rich Gunderson

For as long as I can remember, Sunday was the Swiss Team day at tournaments.

I miss that and decided to find out how other players feel about this so I asked them between rounds at the Turkey Bowl Tournament.

Karen Miller and Ray Parnell said they like playing in them and thought there should have been one that day. They feel it is easier for the director because there are no boards to make, and players stay through lunch making it an earlier finish.

Michal Omielski and Ivan Tzonchev felt Swiss teams would draw more people because they like assembling teams…good for marketing.

Tom Fogarty said he loves Swiss teams because he want to play some IMP games…not always match points or board a match.

Joe Lepscier said he prefers pairs/team to Swiss Team because this gives you two ways to win.

Robert Lass said he felt the lack of IMP scoring presages the downfall of tournament bridge and thinks losing IMP events is a disaster. He feels the cure should include raising the points won in the all-day session.

Craig Gardner said he enjoys Swiss Teams, but the events should pay more.

Van Stone said he thinks people enjoy playing Swiss teams because even if they win one match, they get something. He mentioned that Houston had bracketed Swiss, and it was well attended.

One player said he felt the beginners, intermediate, and low advanced players like Swiss so they should be included. He felt more people would come, even on a bad day.

John Pree would like to stay with the Team/Pair format but include a lunch at the playing site,

What do you think?