Minnesota Bridge

Gopher Regional - Lost and Found

Results have not yet been posted at ACBL, so nothing to report yet about the Gopher - EXCEPT that it was a truly marvelous tournament!

We do have, however, a report on "the inevitable" that occurs after 7 days of play:  lost and found items.

Our thanks to Sue Jackson for handling lost goodies for us.  Please get in touch with Sue if something here is yours!

Lost and found at the Gopher:

 

1. large blue and white umbrella

2. silver drink cup

3. black Caribou coffee cup

4. sunglasses in a white case

5. black and white umbrella cover

6. one lens for a pair of eyeglasses (I know a woman lost this Friday night)

7. white and silver button

8. mystery item: small light gray container with 3 black stick inside.

9. duplicate log book--Kathy Zumbach's name inside

 

Contact Sue Jackson to claim your item or it may become one of next year's door prizes!

[email protected]

 

Gopher 2016 - Sunday's Bulletin and Results

Today, May 29th, is the final day of competition for Gopher 2016. We've had an incredibly successful and fun tournament in our new Minnetonka venue; a host of great volunteers, people and players have made it happen.

In his last Daily Bulletin, Mike Cassel does a superb job of reporting on our events - and thanking the many people who worked so tirelessly to make Gopher 2016 happen.

Mike's final report is below.  Thank you, everyone, for one excellent week of bridge at the Gopher!

Gopher 2016 - Saturday's Bulletin and Results

Only two more days of play! Escape from rainy weather this weekend by competing in the final events of Gopher 2016.

Mike Cassel's penultimate Bulletin is below. Chock full of results, reports on Larry Oakey Day, people highlights and much more!

And - a BIG thank you to Co-Chairs Patti Stuhlman and Sue Jackson for all their hard work getting a BIG turnout - plus all the other very many volunteers, directors and caddies that make our tournament so excellent!

Larry Oakey Day

 

Today is Larry Oakey Day at the Gopher Regional.  We are all thrilled to be honoring one of the most special, most giving and most talented players ever to grace the game of bridge in Minnesota.

When asked to say a few words about Larry, here is what your webmaster had to say.

If every day of the year were declared “Larry Oakey Day” – we would still not have enough days to honor this man.

In every way, TGLO “The Great Larry Oakey” is a living legend in Minnesota. Larry’s abilities as a player are enormous.

In 1978, Larry and teammates were 2^nd in the tough Men’s B-A-M Teams.  Perennially, Larry has been competitive at all levels, from national to local.  He is recognized as one of the top players ever in our state.

Yet, in addition to being a fabulous player, Larry has “given back” to our game in every way possible. Not only is Larry an able and lightning fast director, he volunteers daily in a myriad of ways.  Also, Larry has partnered players of all levels, including beginners – a gift to so many.

I cannot write about Larry without sharing my own enormous gratitude to him.  My good fortune to have Larry as a number of years as my regular partner, mentor and friend.  Poor Larry; he is so good, he can’t understand how the rest of us can’t come close to playing at his level!

Thank you from all of us, Larry, from the bottom of our hearts!

        Peg Kaplan

Gopher 2016 - Friday's Bulletin and Results

Three more days to go of Gopher 2016!  We've had a fabulous turnout this year! People are enjoying our beautiful new venue:  the lovely playing areas, plentiful free coffee and tea, plus out of towners camped out in attractive rooms.

Be sure to come and play over the holiday weekend - lots more events and masterpoints to be garnered!

Friday's Bulletin, chock full of results, news and people stories, is below.

Pay It Forward - Remembering Donna Heinsbroek

Two years ago, Donna Heinsbroek competed at the Gopher Regional. Aiming to earn both Life Master status and win her mini-McKenney category (which she did by leaps and bounds), she came to Minnesota, did well and made friends.

Donna & Kathy Beckman at Gopher 2014

Donna's quest had a special urgency.  She was battling Stage IV cancer. And on May 5th, Donna's battled ended.

Those of us who met Donna had wonderful memories of this delightful and amazing woman. Her husband, Hans Heinsbroek, in Donna's obituary, made this request. No flowers at her funeral; no donations. But - could each of us "Pay It Forward" - however we would choose.

Our bridge community is an incredible one; people connected all over the world through our love of the greatest mind game ever. 

So we ask of all our Minnesota players, attendees at the Gopher - and - anyone else who wishes to join in.... Please "Pay It Forward" for Donna.  And, when you do, please send Peg Kaplan an email at [email protected] detailing what your "Pay It Forward" choice was.  I shall collect all your kind acts and send them to Hans.

Donna's courageous story is below.  Thank you, all!

Gopher 2016 - Thursday's Bulletin and Results

Lots of events to report in Thursday's Bulletin - plus people news and other ACBL information.

Enjoy - and - enjoy Thursday's schedule of events!

Gopher 2016 - Wednesday's Bulletin and Results

Wednesday's Gopher Bulletin is posted below. Congratulations to all our winners - and - good luck to everyone as they compete in Wednesday's fine selection of events!

Gopher 2016 - Tuesday's Bulletin and Results

Day #1 at our beautiful new venue, the Sheraton West in Minnetonka, was a big success! With an excellent turnout, lovely playing quarters and plentiful free treats, the first two sessions of bridge were super.

Tuesday features 3 sessions of bridge:  10AM - 2:15PM - 7:15PM.  

We look forward to seeing more and more bridge players throughout the week, and plenty of fun competition!

Mike Cassel's Tuesday Bulletin is below - along with a nice feature about Minnesota's newest Grand Life Master:  John Koch.

Minneapolis Grand Slam Season End Party

 

For many decades, The Minneapolis Grand Slam Club has been "the" place to play for Twin City experts and aspiring competitors. Steve Garner, Howie Weinstein, Joe Grue, Jim Hall, Eddie Kantar - and many other elite players honed their games at the MGSC.

 

May 20th was the last night for the 2015-2016 MGSC season. A good crowd turned out, first for a fine buffet dinner - followed by a year end MGSC meeting, awards presentation and - of course! - an evening of bridge.

 

 

President Dave Neiman did an excellent job leading our meeting. Congratulations to all event winners - and thanks both to those who contributed to the fun last evening celebration plus director Tony Ames, board members, treat providers and others who make the Club so fun.

 

The MGSC party is a great kick-off event for Monday's upcoming Gopher Regional. In fact, Mike Cassel introduced us to a visitor at the party who traveled all the way from China!  Wayne Chu will be playing with Mike at the Gopher!

Here we are, doing what we all love:  great food, great company and an Individual to top it all off! Kudos to Mark Krusemeyer for nabbing the win!

 

Roger Anderson's socks!  He rocks!

More non-sock photos below.....

Gopher 2016 - Minnetonka Sheraton!

 

Many of the Gopher organizers live in fear that some of our competitors aren't aware of the site for Gopher Regional 2016.  So - please share with everyone you know that the tournament will not be at the Bloomington site we've had for years.  Instead, we are going to be able to play in a fabulous new, modern venue, just east of Ridgedale Shopping Center in Minnetonka.  The Sheraton West.

Bulletin editor Mike Cassel has prepared the Monday, May 23rd Bulletin; it's posted below.  Lots of data about the tournament, schedule, places to eat and much more.

We want to see you prior to game time, 2:15PM on Monday, the 23rd, at the Sheraton West, in Minnetonka!  Do not go to Bloomington; inquire if you're not sure where the hotel is!

See you soon!

Everything is PRIME at The Gopher!

 

GAME TIMES

Our morning games start at 10:00 AM, giving everyone in the metro area plenty of time to get to the playing site after the morning rush hour.  The afternoon session starts at 2:15 PM and ends as the evening rush hour abates, giving players lots of time to go out for a nice dinner and still get home well before dark.

 

PRIME TIME KNOCKOUTS

The three full 4 session KO’s at the 2016 Gopher regional will have 2 session per day.  The sessions will be Monday/Tuesday afternoon and evening, Wednesday/Thursday afternoon and evening, and Friday afternoon and evening and Saturday morning and afternoon.  No more three sessions a day for the first knockout.

 

MASTERPOINT AVERAGING

All of the pair and Swiss team events feature masterpoint averaging.  This means that while you may have gone over a significant masterpoint milestone, your strata will be determined by the average masterpoints your partnership or team has.  The one exception to this in in the Gold Rush event where no one individual may have over 750 lifetime masterpoints.

Gopher 2016 Bulletins - and More

 

Gopher Regional 2016 begins this Monday at 2:15 - evening session at 7:15! We're looking forward to playing at our lovely new location in Minnetonka; the Sheraton Minneapolis West, by Ridgedale.

Mike Cassel, our Bulletin editor, already has Monday's Bulletin in place.  Indeed; you can read it below!

Looking for information about where to eat?  The 2016 schedule?  Maps to find the tournament hotel and dining locations?  All that and more is here!

We'll see you soon on May 23rd!

Love Bridge? You're Gonna LOVE the Gopher!

 

PAIR GAME LOVERS

If you enjoy match point scoring and strategy or just prefer playing against a lot of different folks during a session the MN Gopher regional pair games are for you.  A two-session regionally rated, gold point paying pair game will be held every day from Monday through Saturday.  While the Monday event will be afternoon and evening, the rest will all be morning and afternoon.  The stratified open event will be held in conjunction with a stratified Gold Rush two-session event.  This combination proved popular in 2015 with the best attended pair games in years at the Gopher regional.  The evening pair games will be part of side game series.  Play in two or more sessions during the same series and section tops win gold points!

 

 TEAM GAME LOVERS

Bring your 4, 5 or 6 person team to the 2016 MN Gopher regional.  Even if you lost in the first round of each of the three full 4 session KO’s, you could still have your team play in 18 sessions during the 7 day regional.  In addition to the three KO’s, there are 6 2-session Swiss teams and 6 one session evening Swiss events.  Also, this year the prestigious Jim Hall Knockout that begins our tournament will start Monday afternoon, continue Monday evening and finish up with sessions on Tuesday afternoon and evening.  You will not have to play more than two sessions a day anymore.  Enter this event and get your name engraved on the perpetual trophy for winning the top bracket.  Remember, you may play up if your teams does not have enough masterpoints to qualify for the top bracket.

Hot Time in the Summertime!

Enjoy the beauty of Minneapolis in the summertime by day.  At night - 6:30PM - enjoy fabulous Friday night games at the Twin City Bridge Center!

Steve Gaynor has all the details below!

Looking for Lessons

Though it's been some time since Joe Grue has lived in Minnesota, most of us will always think of Joe as "one of ours."  And no - Joe is not looking for lessons!  He's currently competing on Team Fleisher in the finals of the 2016 USBF Open Championship.  The winner of this grueling 120 board match will represent the United States in international competition.  And, you can still watch the final 60 boards on Sunday, starting 11AM, central time.

But, there are other Minnesotans who have not yet learned to play bridge - yet are yearning to do so!  Your webmaster recently received an email from some potential students in the Detroit Lakes area.  They'd like to be able to take lessons, yet are unsure how to go about finding a teacher, group or classes.

If you might know of someone who could help them, please email Peg at [email protected]  I will forward your helpful information!

In the meantime, if you want lessons from the masters - watch Team Fleisher and Team Diamond tomorrow!

Save The Date!

CHARITY GAMES

TWIN CITIES BRIDGE CENTER

 

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2016 (DAYTIME)

 

IN NOVICE GAME AND OPEN---

 

THE CHARITY THIS YEAR IS

#LIVIN FOUNDATION

 

 

 

The #LIVIN Foundation is a movement to Get Busy #LIVIN!

 

We are raising awareness about mental health and depression in order to prevent suicide.

 

 

 

IF YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS, SUGGESTIONS OR WANT TO HELP 

MAKE THIS FUNDRAISER SUCCESSFUL, PLEASE CONTACT:

 

[email protected]

 

 

Jim Hall KO & More - Gopher 2016

Gopher Co-Chairs Patti Stuhlman and Sue Jackson want all our competitors to be aware of changes in scheduling and venue. 

Our new location for 2016 is:

 

Sheraton Minneapolis West

12201 Ridgedale Drive (1/4 mile south of 394 between 494 and Hwy 169)

Minnetonka MN  55305

 

 

And, the Jim Hall Knock-Out, the Charity Open and the Gold Rush Pairs, our first events, start Monday, May 23 at 2:15PM.

 

Patti and Sue look forward to seeing everyone in Minnetonka soon!

 

Gopher Regional 2016 - Playing Up

 

 

Many players aspiring to compete with the best often are frustrated they cannot match up in Knockout’s with the top players.  That will NOT be a problem at the 2016 MN Gopher regional!  

Since we rarely fill the top bracket in our KO’s, teams are not only allowed but encouraged to ‘play up’.  Just mention that to the director selling the entry that you wish to play up to the top bracket and you will be accommodated.

Once the top bracket is full (16 teams), teams wishing to 'play up' will be placed in the next highest bracket based on the KO master point formula. 

We normally have 9-12 teams that qualify for the top bracket based on their team master points, so there is room for several teams to 'play up' and compete with the most experienced players at our tournament.  Go get 'em, Tigers!