Minnesota Bridge

A Beautiful Silver Lining

 

Way too much in our bridge world - and the world at large - has been sad.  Yet, Connie Nelson, our intrepid reporter, not only has been keeping us up to date on general happenings.  She and her husband, Jim Schnepf, have truly exciting news to share with us!

Little in the bridge world is more thrilling than for players with less experience than experts to shine.  Connie and Jim did just that - truly big time!  Connie's story is below.  Congrats to Connie and Jim for their super duper showing - and may it bring a smile to us all and a so appreciated silver lining of happiness!

 

My husband Jim Schnepf and I did get to play in one Regional before we came home to Minnesota to hunker down.  We played the first day of the St. Augustine/Jacksonville FL regional on March 9th.  We entered an A/X/Y pairs game.  (The “A” was unlimited points, the “X” was 2500-6000 points, and the “Y” was up to 2500 points.  Jim and I each have about 700 points.)  

 

I was hoping to place in the "Y’ category, but after we entered we found out that 11 out of 20 pairs were “A” pairs.  I thought we were doomed.

 

We ended up coming in second overall!  We did better than pro Eric Rodwell and his client, Bjorgvin Kristinsson and his client, and Sylvia Shi (the young super star woman on the cover of a recent ACBL Bulletin) and her partner.   The only pair that beat us was one that included Shannon Cappelletti, the former daughter-in-law of the man who the Cappelletti convention is named after.  

 

I am still smiling!

Shelter With BridgeBase Online!

No tournaments ... no club games ... no nothing for bridge addicts! 

But actually - there is!  Big thanks to Steve Gaynor for pointing out the myriad of opportunities there are to play with your favorite partners and teammates.  In recent days, with all the shut downs, more than 32,000 people have been playing daily on the online bridge website!  Check it out - have fun - and stay safe at home!

 

 

Sheltering in place?

You still have chances to play bridge, win black masterpoints and support your local club!

 

The ACBL has partnered with Bridge Base Online (BBO) and The Common Game to offer exclusive online events every day, whether you play solo or as a pair. 

The newest chances to win are the special daylong tournaments (one each day), which begin Wednesday, March 25. Every day you’ll have until midnight Eastern to play 18 boards with BBO’s robots. You can pause and restart at anytime – even in the middle of a hand.

In addition, more time slots have been added for the already popular Support Your Club pairs games (now at 10 a.m., 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Eastern).

For more information and an FAQ about both games, visit acbl.org/ClubSupportOnlineGames.

Please note our updated phone numbers for U.S. callers.

• Main Line:662-253-3100
• Member Services:662-253-3191
• Club Support:662-253-3181

Goodbye to Dick Kielty

 

In addition to our bridge world's loss of Susan Wernz, we sadly must report that another long time, treasured player passed away:  Dick Kielty.  Dick's friend of a lifetime, Ron DeHarpporte, kindly offered to share his thoughts about Dick below.  We are most grateful for Ron's tales about Dick - a quiet man with qualities and talents to treasure and admire.

Thank you, Ron, for the story of a life well lived. Our condolences to Margaret and Dick's family members - and to our bridge community.  

 

Last week Dick Kielty’s wife, Margaret, called me and said that Dick had cancer of the pancreas and was dying.  I spoke with Dick a few hours before he died.  We relived some old times that came with a friendship that started when we were children.

 

Since grade school, Dick and I were close friends. We were in a group of students at the University of MN that started playing bridge in the card room of Coffman Memorial Union in 1957. Some of our old time players may remember names like Hugh McLean, Russ Weikle, Jerry Ballenger, Morrie Frier, Farrell Green, Dave Setterholm, Murray Appelbaum, Jim Hall, Eddie Kantar, Marshall Schneider, Alan Goldstein and others who went on to play a lot of bridge for many years.

I won my first Red points in the 1958 special regional awarded to MN to celebrate 100 years of statehood.  I played with Dick and our teammates for the Sunday Board of Match team were Hugh McLean and Russ Weikle.  I think we came in fourth in one session and won 2 or 3 points.

Dick - “Kilts” to many - was considered probably the player with the most potential by the top players in the Twin Cities while we were in college.  But Dick was more serious than most of us and thought that taking advantage of his engineering degree, and to actually work for a living might be a good idea.  So he played very infrequently for the next 50 years. 

Many of us who did try to earn a living, and pretty much stopped playing until retirement, started playing more after retirement but Dick never really retired.  He worked as a scientist in the field of metallurgy at one company for almost all of his career that really did not end until a few years ago.

 

I got Dick out to play now and then, and about ten years ago he begin to play at the Bridge Center more often with Tom Utter and others.  Dick never really caught up with the curve on modern bidding. Yet those who played with and against him can attest to fact that he was an excellent card player.

I will always remember Dick as one of the most naturally ethical bridge players that I have known. I use the the word “natural” because ethics was absolutely automatic for Dick.  He simply could never consider being any other way.  He played bridge in the way he lived his life, with the highest integrity and honesty that set him apart from most of us.

        Ron DeHarpporte

From Gopher 2020 to Gopher 2021

Our gopher is shedding tears, just as many of us shall with the news.  Please read below about the details for the Gopher Regional 2020.  Sad.

We are most grateful to all those on both the Minnesota Unit Boards for their efforts and all the time spent by volunteers to put together a great regional.  It will happen - yet not until 2021.

 

 

Dear Bridge Playing Community,

 

It is with concern for the health and safety of all of us that the MN Unit 103 and 178 Board of Directors have decided to cancel the 2020 MN Gopher Regional Bridge Tournament scheduled for May 18-24.  We are as disappointed as you are that the Covid 19 virus has affected our bridge clubs and tournaments.  

 

Please put the 2021 Gopher Regional on your calendar May 24-30 at the Crowne Plaza Aire Hotel in Bloomington, MN.  We have the same fantastic room rate of $99 and a great schedule of  events for players from beginners to experts.

 

We're looking forward to seeing you next year!

 

Sincerely,

 

The MN Unit 103 and Unit 178 Board of Directors

The June St. Cloud Sectional IS Coming!

Our thanks, yet again, to Connie Nelson for bringing us upcoming and positive Minnesota Bridge News!

 

 

Dream a Little! -- The June St. Cloud Sectional is Coming

If you are like me, you are experiencing severe bridge withdrawal pangs about now.  So, I thought I would write about better times ahead.  

We are still planning to hold our St. Cloud Granite City Bridge Sectional!

June 18-20! 

You may want to start planning your partnerships – and trip - now.  To entice visitors to our Sectional, here are a few additional “draws” of our area: 

 

Spectacular Gardens.  Before I moved to St. Cloud, I had never even heard of Munsinger Gardens.  Now, they are the FIRST place we take visitors from out of town.   A beautiful spot to visit, you can picnic along the Mississippi River, stroll through the tiered English-style gardens where each level has flower varieties of a singular hue, or see (and smell!) the Virginia Clemens Rose Garden with its 70 varieties of roses.  These gardens are open to the public year-round, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.  Best of all, they are free! 

Clemens Gardens is located @ 1301 Kilian Blvd., and Munsinger Gardens @ 1515 Riverside Drive SE, both St. Cloud.  They are adjacent, so you can park your car and see both.

Micro-Breweries.  Last year, a visitor to our Sectional asked about micro-breweries in the area and I wasn’t prepared.  I am ready this year!

1. 1. Beaver Island Brewing Co.  Located along the Mississippi River at 216 – 6^th Avenue South, their motto is “Dam. Fine. Beer.”  And, if you want to walk that growler off afterward, they are also located near the Beaver Island Walking Trail that winds along the Mississippi.
   2. Pantown Brewing Co. Located at 408- 37^th Avenue North, Pantown Brewing has two floors of seating and plenty of board games.  From others’ reviews, I understand their mulberry sour is something to try.  They will do tours, if you call ahead.  (As an aside, if you don’t know the history of St. Cloud’s Pan Town Car Company – once a rival to Ford Motor Company in Detroit, you could also head to the Stearns County History Museum.  It’s an interesting tale!)
   3. Bad Habit Brewing Co. As far as I’m concerned, this brewery deserves the “best name ever” award, as it is located in St. Joseph MN where the Sisters of St. Benedict have their monastery.  Very pleasant brewery, with a French bakery and Cajun restaurant right across the street.
   4. For something a little different, you can try Milk and Honey Ciders which prepares and serves hard ciders. Located just off I-94 by St. Joseph, Milk and Honey sits among country hills.  It offers pleasant inside or patio seating, perfect for a warm summer day or evening.

St. John’s Bible.  If you missed the St. John’s Bible exhibit at the Minneapolis Institute for the Arts, this could be your opportunity to see this hand-written and illuminated Bible – the first one done since the invention of the printing press.  The calligraphy and illustrations make each word, each sentence, each page stand out.  The Bible exhibit at St. John’s University, Collegeville, is open 10-4 on weekdays, and noon to 4 on Saturdays.

 Happenings. 

1. 1. Cloud Rox. If you are into minor-league collegiate baseball, St. Cloud offers The Rox.  Their games are always a fun time.  The Rox are playing away games on June 18-20, but if you want to come up the night before the tournament begins, they will be playing Waterloo IA at home on June 17th at 7:05 p.m. -- at Joe Faber Field at 5001 Veterans Drive, St. Cloud.

1. 2. Juneteenth Celebration. On June 19^th, the 24^th annual Juneteenth gathering will be held in St. Cloud.  If similar to previous years, this will include a free cookout, arts and crafts, as well as music at Riverside Park.  Juneteenth honors the anniversary of the official end to slavery in June 1865.

3.   On June 19^th at 7:30 p.m., a tribute show covering songs of Journey, Kansas and Foreigner will be held at Pioneer Place on Fifth at 22 – 5^th Avenue South, St. 3Cloud.  I understand the band - SFA and Gabe Jacobs - has a strong following in the Cities.  Tickets are $32.  You can find out more at http://www.ppfive.com. 

On both Friday and Saturday nights, the Pioneer Place also has free music in the Fireside Room of their Veranda Lounge (a wine bar), from 9 p.m. to midnight. 

 

If these “draws” aren’t enticing, just come for the great bridge!   Hope to see you there.

Memories of Susan Wernz

 

Last week, Facebook sent a sad message to me.  Susan Wernz, who had been dealing with a curse that comes to too many of us as we age, dementia, at 79 finally succumbed to its effects.  Her family said she was smiling and her usual fun and laughing self to the end.

Susan's husband, Tim, left us 7 years ago, following a brave and long battle against pancreatic cancer. Tim was one of the stars of our bridge world, and took his game seriously.  Susan, at the table and away, was more of an "play - enjoy - be with friends" competitor.  Together, they had a wonderful marriage, family and many friends, within and outside of our bridge community.

 

 

I was waiting to post a formal obituary about Susan. Yet, under these most unusual of times in history, her family hasn't created one as of now. They are waiting until this dreaded virus departs to determine how to celebrate Susan's life.

In the meantime, those of us who were fortunate to have this sparkly, upbeat, energized beautiful woman as their friend and sometime bridge buddy, we will remember her with a smile and a tear.

Our deepest condolences to sons Jeff Bender, Charlie Bender and John Wernz and all the rest of Susan's family.  A huge loss to us all - though we are forever grateful for the years we shared together.

Unit 103 Cancellations

We are sorry that the world is as it is right now. But a great many are trying to take the right actions now, so that down the road, more of us can be safe and continue to go on with our lives.

From Unit 103 with events that are cancelled and details about changes.  Big thanks to Unit 103 President Warren Nelson and his board - and all those who are taking extra steps to help us through these challenging times.

 

As we all continue to deal with the national health emergency, the game of bridge has taken a number of hits and made some astonishing changes, particularly in the online realm where you can actually play online and have most of your card fees go to the clubs where you normally play https://www.acbl.org/clubsupportonlinegames/.

Since most tournaments and clubs have been cancelled or closed for the next month, it will come as no surprise that we have cancelled our Unit Awards Banquet and Game scheduled for May 2.

We will let you know when and if we can reschedule this event to celebrate our Mini-Mckenney and Ace of Club award winners.

This also has caused us to miss our Unit’s Annual Meeting. Normally there are no actionable items that require the vote of the membership, however, this year we were planning adoption of new Bylaws (the old ones are from 2009). The adoption of new Bylaws would also require the (re)election of a board of directors.

Because of these changes we have decided to call a special meeting of the membership to vote on these items in the near future either at a tournament or electronically.

If we decide to vote electronically you will receive complete information on the proposed Bylaws and a ballot with Board of Director nominees.

Regarding the Board of Directors, if you or anyone you know is interested in serving the bridge community of Minnesota please contact or have them contact Warren Nelson in the next few weeks for further information and a complete job description.

We sincerely hope to see you – face to face – at the table soon!

Until then, stay safe!

Warren Nelson
Unit 103 President

Today's Cancellations

Please note that the May 2nd Unit 103 awards, luncheon and game are cancelled.  Awards shall be sent by mail to recipients.

Individual clubs are encouraged to have a small "ceremony" for players who placed in the top three of the Ace of Clubs and the Mini-McKenny.

Sue Greenberg will be sending those lists out to clubs in the coming week.

Big thanks to all who are helping!

Peg, please put on the website that the May 2 Unit 103 awards luncheon and game are cancelled.  Awards will be sent by mail.  I would encourage individual clubs to have a small "ceremony" for their players that placed in the top three of the Ace of Clubs and the Mini-McKenny.  I will be sending those lists out to clubs in the coming week.  Thanks for your help!

Motion Passed by ACBL Board of Directors this Morning

Shared with all in District 14 from our District Director Sharon Anderson:

 

Motion: The 2020 NAP Finals will be held at the Montreal Summer 2020 NABC. The 2020 GNT Finals will be held at the Tampa Fall 2020 NABC. The details of the Finals, including the scheduling of those events, will be established by management at a later date.

 

The deadline for the completion of District GNT Finals will be October 1, 2020.

Coronavirus Slams the Bridge World

 

Storms have swept through the world - and bridge in Minnesota has not been spared.

As many of you know, most now (if not all) of our bridge clubs are temporarily shuttered. 

The Edina IMP sectional scheduled for April is canceled.  Our 2020 District 14 GNT that was scheduled in April is tentatively scheduled for May 17th and 18th.

If you are wondering about any specific events or clubs occurring and when, please first check with the club or tournament chairperson to confirm what is happening. And, if you have an event scheduled and wish to share with everyone that there is a change, do contact me. I will get the details and alert all.

These are extraordinary times. We hope that everyone is safe, being as careful as possible - and - we surely hope, too, that in the not too distant future, we can be competing and enjoying the company of all our bridge friends.

 

Safety Play

 

 

I'm afraid this post is not about potentially giving up a trick to save your contract.  Yet it is about safety.

Though many people would love to play at their favorite club(s), those in charge believe that for right now, the sacrifice of face to face bridge at the club is worth having more health safety for all. Thus, the Board of Directors at the Bridge Center of St. Paul judged to close at least through the end of March.  And in Minneapolis, Chip and Teri Blu felt that with the touching of cards and equipment that would be difficult to keep sterile, they would follow suit at the Twin City Bridge Center.  Thus, no bridge at either club at least through this month.

Jackson Wahl, one of our talented bridge students at Carleton College and now an excellent budding director, had wanted to be able to direct at the TCBC.  Chip and Teri were delighted to have him direct over spring break - but - now we all have to switch gears. Sorry for Jackson and others. But there will be more directing, more club games and more fun with one another down the road.

Your editor has heard from several people about this. So please do check directly with clubs about when they may open. I think that all I have posted is accurate - but again - a safety play can be a great plan!

We hope every one in our bridge community, their families, friends - and truly, as many as possible around the world - stay healthy or at worst, have mild symptoms.

In the meantime, if you need a bridge fix, think about visiting Bridge Base Online. I heard that yesterday their server went down, so many from around the world wanted to play electronically!  Yet I'm sure they are getting everything under control.  You won't get brownies and other treats - yet you'll be able to play bridge!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coronavirus and The Health of Our Players

Sadly, an announcement from Tom and Linda Grigoliet about the Rochester Spring Sectional scheduled for April.

As you can read below, unfortunately the tournament will have to be moved to another date, to be determined.

Big thanks to Tom and Linda and all the others who have worked so hard on the sectional plans. 

We look forward to better times ahead, when it will once again be safe to play our favorite game, at clubs and tournaments.

 

At this time of both federal and state public health emergencies we need to focus on the health and safety of our members and volunteers.  Therefore, we are cancelling the Rochester Spring Sectional scheduled for April 3, 4, & 5, 2020. While we realize this decision may cause an inconvenience for some, this social isolation effort is designed to protect the health of our members and volunteers, many of whom are in the high-risk population if exposed to the coronavirus. After this health crisis has passed and we have some certainty, we will let you know when the tournament will be held. A very sincere “Thank You” to all those who have worked so hard on this tournament to date. Stay safe! We look forward to seeing you in the future at the bridge table.  Tom and Linda Grigoleit Tournament Chairs

A Few Good Bridge Volunteers

The Unit 178 Board of Directors is searching for several people to serve as board members.  Their goal is to begin the search on July 1, 2020 for people who would like to join this important group for a 4 year term.

What do those who serve on the 178 Board of Directors do during their years of service?

 

• Attend 178 Board meetings approximately 8 times throughout the calendar year
• Help with sectional, regional and NABC tournaments if needed by our District 14
• For the annual Ace of Clubs and Mini-McKenney Unit winners, organize and conduct the event (or find a volunteer who can do so)
• For the annual Charity Game, organize and conduct the event (or find a volunteer who can do so)
• Assist in recruiting new ACBL members
• Promote tournaments
• Promote and develop sanctioned games
• Work with other board members to operate in a fiscally responsible manner
• Hold annual Membership meeting (usually at the Award banquet)

 

Have an interest in joining Unit 178's board and making a positive difference in bridge?

Please reach out to Barb Zipoy at barbzipoy@gmail.com

Thank you!

Spring Is Coming Sectional - March 13-15

 

Spring truly is here!  Little snow, shoots of green.... And the Spring is Coming Sectional!

From Friday through Sunday, enjoy both Open and 499er games twice a day at the Twin City Bridge Center.

The schedule and more details are below. Look forward to seeing our first spring players at the TCBC!

MN Top 100 - 2019

 

Another year - tumultuous changes across the globe - and masterpoints rising in Minnesota!

Note that now, 8 of our top 10 players have over 1,000 masterpoints.  One player, Steve Gaynor, is mighty close and will go over in the near future.  For others, a good year or two, and they shall also be over 10,000 masterpoints.  Interesting times.

Let's give applause to some who have been powering up the ladder!  Sharon Anderson now holds second place for masterpoint holdings with an impressive 13,661.75.  Terry Beckman is not far behind with 13,428.65.  And John Koch, Paul Meerschaert, Roger Anderson and Peder Langsetmo also have earned impressive totals.  My hat is off to Bjorgvin Kristinsson!  Bjorgvin is a professional player who in my view, does it all so very well. He is respectful to all, plays like a charm - the epitome of what someone who does play with clients should do. 

Allow me to once again give my perspective on the list and masterpoints. While masterpoints are great fun to win and surely some indicator of talent and achievement - they are not a clear statement on the ability of each competitor.  Some people have jobs and families and other commitments that do not allow them to play much - yet they are still quite fine players.  Others are the opposite; ample free time and resources to attend lots of tournaments and build up their masterpoint reservoir.  

What really matters is that we all are enjoying the game, learning, competing and always aiming at improving our abilities.

I am heartened that in Minnesota, we have a new crop of young players. They love our game, are excited about competing - and are talented. We won't see them on the top 100 list for a bit. Yet believe me; if they continue on, they will be there.

Congratulations to all of our top 100 players!  Yet, whether you have 7 masterpoints or 7,000 - it is our enjoyment of the game, our continual intrigue and fascination with playing - and the life long friendship of other competitors that make it most special. Here's to more masterpoints and more years attempting to master the greatest game!

 

2019 Year End Minnesota Top 100
1	Peggy	Kaplan	16379.90
2	Sharon	Anderson	13661.75
3	Terry	Beckman	13428.65
4	John	Koch	12153.02
5	Paul	Meerschaert	11240.65
6	Roger	Anderson	10669.98
7	Peder	Langsetmo	10364.05
8	Bjorgvin	Kristinsson	10335.77
9	Steven	Gaynor	9910.95
10	Michael	Cassel II	9795.29
11	Bob	Balderson Jr	9791.58
12	Tony	Ames	9724.29
13	Cynthia	Balderson	9629.14
14	Phil	Schwarz	9303.02
15	Judy	Schwarz	9109.58
16	Carole	Miner	8981.40
17	Gregg	Van Dyke	8625.65
18	Barry	Purrington	8617.17
19	Peg	Waller	8596.28
20	Michael	Hoffmann	7956.24
21	Jackie	Evans	7739.43
22	Ronald	DeHarpporte	7278.14
23	Brian	Crossley	6943.52
24	Sharon	Christenson	6729.73
25	Carol	Mahoney	6714.30
26	Kerry	Holloway	6605.80
27	Richard	Ekstrum	6384.05
28	Michael	Howland	6265.56
29	Kory	Solarz	6241.28
30	Kathy	Beckman	5945.10
31	Keith	Connolly	5879.18
32	Greg	Caucutt	5736.80
33	John	Minton	5603.38
34	Lance	Chamberlain	5554.42
35	Dan	Sershon	5457.64
36	Pat	Burrows	5220.97
37	Michael	Flader	5004.39
38	Rita	Xistris	4993.78
39	Thomas	Smith	4932.50
40	Audrey	Weikle	4863.85
41	Genny	Rice	4667.37
42	Roark	Johnson	4491.68
43	John	Allen	4480.98
44	Kurt	Schaeffer	4319.33
45	Joseph	Browan	4247.28
46	Paul	Gutterman	4095.38
47	Jean	Boettcher	4052.83
48	Robert	Schachter	4035.72
49	Irwin	Boris	3977.81
50	Randy	Okubo	3943.05
51	Phyllis	Rosscup	3939.59
52	Warren	Nelson	3865.51
53	Thomas	Baskin	3828.26
54	Wayne	Gergen	3741.83
55	Harry	Sapienza	3694.63
56	Mark	Krusemeyer	3677.11
57	Teresa	Sackett	3668.82
58	Dennis	Dufner	3667.68
59	Teri	Blu	3609.65
60	William	Voedisch	3557.28
61	Jane Dickey	Matson	3556.97
62	Gregory	Lutgens	3519.48
63	Jeff	Dzuik	3511.19
64	Richard	Lawson	3484.40
65	Stephen	Jackson	3455.61
66	Paula	Cohen	3428.82
67	Colin	Campbell	3428.32
68	James	Mustain	3235.28
69	Howard	Gianera	3229.95
70	Larry	Uttley	3203.23
71	John	Bloomquist	3194.72
72	Eric	Hendrickson	3147.90
73	John	Crouch	3141.98
74	Janet	Williams	3099.90
75	James	Tenbroeke	3098.95
76	Carol	Rynders	3085.24
77	Deborah	Watson	3057.46
78	Dennis	Cerkvenik	3023.49
79	Larry	Johnson	3009.05
80	Jeanine	Hall	3006.84
81	Marsha	Brouillet	3004.88
82	Joseph	Koester	3001.90
83	Elaine	Prebonich	2935.97
84	Judy	Hansen	2923.67
85	Gerald	Welander	2901.44
86	Vern	Swing	2892.33
87	Charlene	Thul	2880.59
88	Grant	Boadwine	2842.52
89	Gene	Willson	2836.41
90	Dianne	Carr	2807.83
91	Maureen	Weiman	2797.52
92	Neil	Swanson	2774.95
93	Donald	Stanger	2763.03
94	John	Stern	2752.86
95	Jim	Stepnes	2749.65
96	Joe	Proulx	2743.18
97	Kay	Hottinger	2731.81
98	Betty	Triliegi	2730.94
99	Patti	Stuhlman	2729.46
100	Patricia	Rodgers	2718.77

Fruits of Steve Gaynor - GNT Qualifying Games!

 

The first of March, Steve Gaynor organized a GNT qualifier at the Twin City Bridge Center.  Not only did competitors have the opportunity to get qualified for the GNT District 14 competition in April, they also were able to listen to a fine lesson from Steve about bidding distinctions between matchpoints and IMPS.  Particularly since some of our players are earnest newer players, and (of course) GNT qualifiers are team events with IMP scoring, this was of excellent benefit.  And the cherry on top (or should I say, the veggies and ham and pineapple) on PIZZA was a yummy bonus!

 

 

Following Steve's lecture, the Swiss team matches began.  Leading the pack was a team we often see at the top:  long time stars Cindy and Bob Balderson, Dave Collins and Carole Miner.  We were thrilled to see two teams of primarily college students competing and doing well - the Curt Kristensen team (Ben's dad) with Ben from U of MN Duluth along with U of MN Twin Cities Sean and Zeren.  And some of our Carleton collegiate up and coming champs, too - Jackson, Sarah, Morgan and Julia.

 

 

Note that we are also excited to see our newer Flight C players competing for GNT!  Wonderful to see Helen Vagle's team and Becky Gamble's team battling away!  Playing against tough competition is one of THE finest ways to learn - so kudos to them for their showings on Sunday!

 

 

Big thanks to Teri and Chip Blu, Twin City Bridge Center owners, for hosting Sunday's qualifier.  Cool to see one of our finest directors around, too - Tony Ames.  Tony will be directing the GNT District 14 event in April.  Lucky us!

 

 

Q    1    2.40R  Cindy Balderson - Bob Balderson Jr - David Collins - Carole Miner

Q    2    1.80R  Curt Kristensen - Ben Kristensen - Sean McNally - Zeren Shui

Q         0.46R Jackson Wahl - Sarah Emmons - Morgan Johnstone - Julia White

Q         0.46R  Helen Vagle - Ruth Brunelle - Beverly Meyer - Peter Bock

            0.23R  Becky Gamble - Rich Gamble - Nora Walker - Stan Jurgensen

                           Alexandra Muller - Leslie Hayashida - Cass Weil - Tom Sneed

Pizza - Strategy - Bridge - Qualify!

 

GNT Swiss Team Qualifier - March 1st - TOMORROW!

 

Steve Gaynor is holding a GNT Swiss Team Qualifying game at the TCBC this Sunday. This is YOUR opportunity to chomp on yummy pizza, gain tips on team game strategies, compete with your favorite teammates and ULTIMATELY perhaps even win a subsidized trip to the Summer NABC GNT event in Montreal! 

Steve has the details below - just DO IT!

 

GRAND NATIONAL SWISS TEAM QUALIFYING 

MARCH 1, 2020

 TWIN CITY BRIDGE CENTER

6020 NICOLLET

MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55419 - 612-861-4487

 

12:00   PIZZA LUNCH IS SERVED 

12:30  TALK ON TEAM GAME STRATEGY 

1:00      GAME TIME

Get Qualified!

 

We know that Grand National Team 2020 competition for District 14 will be arriving in April.  Yet - to compete, you need to qualify!

Larry Henson, our GNT coordinator has kindly sent us a number of locations where you can compete and get your GNT qualification.

GNT is a super event!  YOU might win a trip to Montreal in July!  But you gotta get qualified first!  Here's where and when you can go to do it!

St. Paul Bridge Club - 

3/9 at 10 am

3/15 at 5:30 pm

4/12 at 5:30 pm

 

Maple Grove Community Center

2/27 at 12 noon

3/26 at 12 noon

 

Edina Senior Center

2/26 at 11;45 am

3/25 at 11:45 am

 

Twin City Bridge Club

3/1 Pizza and lesson at noon; game at 1:00 pm

 

Grand Slam Club

4/10 at 7:00 pm

 

Hennepin BAM Club (Edina Senior Center)

4/15 at 6:30 pm