From Richfield to The World

Richfield, Minnesota.  Does this have the ring of world class bridge to you?

It should.  Not one, but two of the best players in the world happen to be from this suburb on the prairie:  Steve Garner and Joe Grue.

The former star traveled back home this past weekend to greet the newest member of his family, nephew Liam Garner.  (We'll have to wait a few years, I'm afraid, before we can test Liam's talents at the table!) 

Little Liam's uncles' abilities, however, have been tested at the highest levels, and have been shown to be superb.  Steve's most recent triumph was winning the 2006 Team Trials in New York.  Playing against the toughest teams in the U.S., Steve, along with partner Howie Weinstein and teammates Ralph Katz, George Jacobs, Michael Rosenberg and Zia won the right to represent our nation in China next year in the Bermuda Bowl.  Well done!

While back home in the Twin Cities, Steve gave a bridge seminar to a number of local players.  Intriguing duplicated boards from real matches in which Steve competed were provided for participants.  After testing our mettle with these toughies, Steve afterwards counseled what to do in bidding, play and defense.  Did some of our local competitors do better than the champs?  You bet!

Our thanks to Steve, both for this wonderful opportunity to improve our games - and for giving us a world class champ about whom we can be most proud.