District 14

Masterpoints in Philly - District 14 Performs!

 

 

Philadelphia is a fine city for an North American Bridge Championship.  Spring 2018 was no exception.

Two of District 14's top players ended up with exceptionally fine performances as a partnership:  Paul Meerschaert and Rob Schachter.  

Paul and Rob entered the toughest pair event there is - the Platinum Pairs - and made it to the third day. In case you are unfamiliar with this event, entry alone is stringent. Many ACBL players don't have the successes to be able to enter. Then, due to how difficult it is to get an entry, needless to say, the competition is incredibly stiff.  Many fine partnerships don't make it to day #2 - much less the final two sessions. That Rob and Paul did is deserving of applause!

Then, this partnership achieved another magnificent achievement:  they finished second in the Silidor Open Pairs!

Add in a bit of additional play during their time in Philadelphia - and - voila!  An impressive 146.12 of points earned in demanding events for Paul and Rob.  We are sure proud of you!

 

 

Another District 14 player also had fine accomplishments in Philly. Jing Liu, star from China in the Midwest, finished 5-8 in one of our three major team events, the Vanderbilt. With this 80 masterpoints, Jing added an overall finish in the Jacoby Swiss Teams and a 2nd place in a tough regional field KO.  Add 'em all up, over 132 masterpoints for Jing.

Congratulations to our stars of Philadelphia - and - to all our other District 14 members who came and conquered throughout!

 

 

1	Paul Meerschaert	146.12	Long Lake	MN
2	Robert Schachter	146.12	Eden Prairie	MN
3	Jing Liu	132.56	Minneapolis	MN
4	G S Jade Barrett	47.43	Elk Point	SD
5	Donna Lombardini	44.40	Alcester	SD
6	Peggy Kaplan	39.10	Minnetonka	MN
7	Karen Lee Barrett	30.54	Elk Point	SD
8	Michael Cassel	28.59	Roseville	MN
9	Randy Okubo	25.66	Saint Paul	MN
10	Terry Beckman	25.57	Brooklyn Park	MN
11	John Koch	25.57	Saint Cloud	MN
12	Grant Boadwine	23.96	Preston	MN
13	Judy Hansen	23.96	Eagan	MN
14	Bjorgvin Kristinsson	23.82	Minneapolis	MN
15	Roger Anderson	21.71	Eagan	MN
16	Paul Sitz	21.58	Ramsey	MN
17	Sharon Anderson	20.80	Eagan	MN
18	Lance Chamberlain	20.61	Rochester	MN
19	Paul Gutterman	19.05	Eagan	MN
20	Eric Hendrickson	19.05	Minneapolis	MN
21	Nicholas Erpelding	18.03	Minnetonka	MN
22	John Schlundt	18.03	Eden Prairie	MN
23	John Dunstan	15.01	Bloomington	MN
24	Betty Triliegi	15.01	Pompano Beach	FL
25	Cynthia Balderson	13.97	Eden Prairie	MN
26	Bob Balderson Jr	13.97	Eden Prairie	MN
27	Elliot Eskin	12.44	Edina	MN
28	Jennifer Peterson	12.44	Golden Valley	MN
29	Elise Pechek	12.19	Duluth	MN
30	Phillip Pechek	12.19	Duluth	MN
31	Gary Bibby	10.84	Moline	IL
32	Michelle Feeney	10.84	Davenport	IA
33	Christine Greenberg	10.52	Byron	MN
34	Joyce Lewis	10.52	Rochester	MN
35	Michael Edwards	9.51	Rock Island	IL
36	Amy Dutton	9.16	Mendota Heights	MN
37	Susan Sanger	9.16	St Louis Park	MN
38	Kurt Schaeffer	9.02	Lakeville	MN
39	Barry Purrington	8.96	Eagan	MN
40	Harry Sapienza	8.96	Minnetonka	MN
41	Morgan Johnstone	8.73	Minneapolis	MN
42	Sean McNally	8.73	Minneapolis	MN
43	Jean Boettcher	7.98	Minneapolis	MN
44	Steven Gaynor	7.98	Minneapolis	MN
45	Mark Krusemeyer	6.51	Northfield	MN
46	Magnus Weiman	5.76	Eden Prairie	MN
47	Maureen Weiman	5.76	Eden Prairie	MN
48	Gerald Burdeski	5.14	Moorhead	MN
49	Kurt Zhang	5.14	Grand Forks	ND
50	Mary Doyle	5.11	Lincoln	NE
51	Andrew Clements	5.09	La Vista	NE
52	Jonathan Cohn	5.09	Gillette	WY
53	Margaret Norris	4.22	Deadwood	SD
54	Cookie Hoberman	3.73	Omaha	NE
55	Mark Pickering	3.36	Emery	SD
56	Tony Ames	2.96	Minnetonka	MN
57	Erwin Heisler	2.85	Minneapolis	MN
58	Gary Knippenberg	2.85	Golden Valley	MN
59	Judy Nassar	1.96	Minnetonka	MN
60	Brian Weikle	1.11	Robbinsdale	MN
61	Sylvester Sterioff	0.78	Rochester	MN
62	Yvonne Sterioff	0.78	Rochester	MN
63	Anne Hajek	0.58	Sioux Falls	SD
64	John Scheafer	0.58	Sioux Falls	SD

 

P.S. A shout out to Roger Anderson for helping your webmaster with formatting!

New Sectional Master!

District Director Sharon Anderson congratulates new Sectional Master Sheri French on becoming a Sectional Master. Sheri's transition from college social bridge player to her current status is below!

 

 

Thanks, Sharon!  Here’s my story:

 

I casually played bridge a long time ago in college, and when I saw a community ed brochure offering a bridge class for beginners, I signed up.  About half-way through the series of classes, a couple of my new classmate friends were brave enough to come to chat bridge with me. Chat bridge let us practice our new knowledge, ask advice of more experienced players, and have do-overs as needed.  

 

Early last year, we mustered up the courage to join ACBL, and to partner up for sanctioned games and tournaments.  The Rochester club has been a great learning environment for me, and I enjoy the cards, the social interactions, and the leadership at this club.  We newer players have a good camaraderie, and the more experienced players are welcoming, patient, and helpful.  I have found other ACBL clubs to also be welcoming when I travel and am in need of a ‘bridge fix’.

 

I am very grateful to my instructors, my partners, and my opponents for their ongoing patience, friendship, mentoring, and friendly competition.  I’m not quite sure what I like the most:  the card playing, the opportunities to learn, or the social interactions.  The past few months have been fun and rewarding, and I know the future will be, too.

 

        Sheri French

New Club Master!

One of Sharon Anderson's most enjoyable tasks as District 14 Director is congratulating our members as they achieve new ranks. Jack Murray just became a Club Master; you can hear how much Jack loves bridge below!

 

THANKS--- it's been fun trying to reinvent myself as a bridge player after retirement--- took up bridge at age 75--- have much enjoyed making new friends---  and a very challenging card game, too---

 

The Bridge Center is a fun place---- in house experts are very helpful and pleasant--- make it easy to learn--- thanks again---

 

Keep smiling!

 

        Jack Murray

New Sapphire Life Masters!

We are always delighted to announce the rank achievements of our District 14 members. Part of bridge is about continuing to aim at new heights and accomplishments. When our players do this, highlighting it is important.

District 14 Director Sharon Anderson had the chance to acknowledge two players who arrived at Sapphire Life Master status together:  husband and wife Jim and MaryAnn Boardman.  Jim and MaryAnn's bridge travels together span  46 years. Their story is a great one - made even more impressive by their success as a bridge playing couple! As many of us know, played with your "significant other" can be a challenge. Yet, as you can see, it's one that Jim and MaryAnn have mastered well.

Congrats to the Boardman's on their new status AND their 50th anniversary!  Hope everyone enjoys their great story!

 

Sharon - thanks for the congratulations! Here is our bridge story:

We took lessons as newlyweds in the 1970's after a session or two of kitchen bridge. We dove right into duplicate, playing in a regional right out of the newbie class. The late-great Ivah Vater gave us some pointers and we were sure we were ready to roll.

 

We've played with many good partners, certainly not always as a pair. Early on, I, MaryAnn, played more and reached Life Master first. Jim took early retirement from his service manager job and spurted ahead. There was a hundred point difference in our point totals at times. It is special to us that we balanced out and hit the 3500 goal the same month, even at the same tournament, playing together.

 

As husband and wife, we have enjoyed many vacation stops at the bridge table. We've been lucky to play in numerous nationals, regionals, and sectionals all across the US and Canada. We drop in on club games all over, also. For a while we wore corny buttons that said, "True love is playing with your wife (husband)." 

 

Bridge has been good for us and we celebrate that by giving back through teaching, service, and charitable efforts. This year we celebrate 50 years of marriage and 46 years of bridge playing What a big deal!

 

Jim and MaryAnn Boardman

NAP - Best of Luck in Philly!

 

Our North American Pairs will soon be heading to Philadelphia to compete against other pairs from around ACBL-land in their respective flights! Please join me in wishing all the best of luck!

 

Flight A NAP Qualifiers

1.  Cindy Balderson - Bob Balderson

2.  Terry Beckman - John Koch

3.  Kurt Schaeffer - Peggy Kaplan

 

Flight B NAP Qualifiers

1.  Gary Knippenberg - Irwin Heisler

2.  Gerald Burdeski - Kurt Zhang

3.  Judy Hansen - Grant Boadwine

4.  Joseph Koester - Paul Nesvig

 

Flight C NAP Qualifiers

1.  Jennifer Peterson - Elliot Eskin

2.  Nicholas Erpelding - John Schlundt

3.  Sylvester Sterioff - Yvonne Sterioff

4.  Anne Hajek - John Schecfer

By the Numbers

 

 

Unit	Unit Name	Members
103	Minnesota Gopher	934
104	North Dakota	205
162	South Dakota	154
163	Iowa State	445
178	Viking Bridge Unit #178	821
184	Nebraska	219
216	Hawkeye	454
235	Northwest Iowa	134
241	Cornhusker	489
Total		3846

 

Number of members dropped March 1st a tiny bit from February.  Living in the frozen tundra makes for many snowbirds!  And, alas - Father Time now and then causes us to lose some of our members.

We are looking forward to spring, however - not far away now!  Plus we have four fine Regionals scheduled in District 14 for 2018. 

Here's to a great turnout in each of our Regionals - and - more people in District 14 becoming members to enjoy all the benefits of ACBL bridge!