

Another Gopher Regional has concluded. Many people contributed to making it a fine event. A number of our players met with excellent success.
Among the latter group, the Balderson team seized the final KO event in Bracket #1. They and their teammates are not infrequently found in the winner's circle.
Also big winners were my teammates: Vern and Monte Evans and Bill Kent. Vern and Monte, session after session, return to compare with a scorecard that rarely has a misstep - and often has a substantial pickup. And, after watching Bill Kent across the table for close to twenty years, I continue to be amazed by every aspect of his game. His creativity in both bidding and play, his ability to imagine the entire hand from the start, then know what to do - and to handle it all so fluidly and effortlessly - is exceptional.
The Kent team topped the masterpoint leaderboard for the Gopher. As one who tried to stop my teammates from success at times, I can guarantee you that they were great! Bill, however, did sacrifice a couple of masterpoints by attending the District 14 Board meeting on Saturday morning. Reports were that Bill ably took over the reins of the presidency, after our loss of Verda Gould to cancer earlier in the year.
To all who worked so hard for us this year - a big "thank you." And to all our competitors who braved the monsoon weather of Twin City spring 2013 to attend - we are so glad that you did! Please return next year - and bring a few friends along, too! We will be looking forward to seeing your smiling faces.

Our final Gopher Bulletin, results from throughout the week and hand records for the latter part of the tournament are all posted below.