Minnesota Bridge

Gopher Regional Partnership Update

ALERT!

 

 

The Partnership email that we used last year and printed on our original flyer does not work. 

Here is the correct information.

 

Looking for a partner or teammates for the Gopher Regional?

May 22-28, 2017
at the Sheraton Minneapolis West

12201 Ridgedale Drive

Minnetonka, MN  55305

For partners:

 

Call Carol Rynders at 651-503-6473

or use this email:  [email protected]

Link to the Tournament Flyer: 
http://web2.acbl.org/Tournaments/Ads/2017/05/1705021.pdf

IMP Sectional

The IMP Sectional begins today and runs through Sunday. The event will be held at the Edina Senior Center.

Please note, however, that Sunday's schedule as noted in this link is not accurate!  Sunday times are:  11:15AM and 3PM.

I believe that this is our first IMP Tournament! Looking forward to a great turnout and a new format!

Unit 103 - Awards Party

We are doubly fortunate with Unit 103's Awards Party that honored 2016 Mini McKenney and Ace of Clubs achievers! Both Sandy Casey and Steve Gaynor sent run downs on this fine event - along with sets of photos, too.

As Unit 103 encompasses much of Minnesota, attendees included many in the Twin Cities, plus healthy contingents from St. Cloud, Rochester, Duluth, Morehead and other cities.

Unit 103 President recognized winners after everyone enjoyed a fine lunch. Our thanks to Warren, event coordinator Kathy Beckman, Judy Holdenbach for her efforts with feeding the masses and Kim Hayward for her fine directing of the 26 table game.

 

We appreciate everyone who made this special event a success - along with our intrepid reporters for their contributions, too!

Plenty more photos below!

My Partner, My Friend

 

Ever since Larry Oakey departed from this world on April 1st - too fitting, given his sense of humor - I've received a wealth of memories, stories, and more from so many. Thank you for sharing each one; together they craft a fine sense of the man we shall miss so much.

Yet for me, words were hard to come. How do I state what this truly unique man meant to me? How do I say it "just right"? Here it is, the day of TGLO's memorial celebration, and I am still searching with no good answers. So, like my typical bridge game, I will simply try my best, knowing what I say will be too imperfect but hoping that at least some of the time, I get it right.  Larry would understand - I sure hope.

Forty years ago, I started playing at the Bridge Center at 60th & Nicollet. From that time, bridge became an integral part of my life. My immense good fortune to not only gain an avocation that I loved - but to also be blessed with wonderful friends and incredibly fine partners.  Larry was both.

Celebrating Larry Oakey

Today, April 23rd, we gather at the Twin City Bridge Center to celebrate the life of Larry Oakey.

Please join us for a a memorial gathering at 4PM with a luncheon to follow.

 

Hiawatha Bridge Sectional Photos

Just in!  Smiles and concentration from our competitors at our recent sectional in Rochester.

Lots more below; check 'em out!

Serving our Greater Bridge Community

We have received two announcements for those interested in serving in the ACBL.

The first is a notice of an upcoming election for our District 14 Board of Directors. This position is for a 3 year term. Those interested in running for this elected position must file with the ACBL no later than May 31, 2017.  

The rules and regs involved are quite detailed. Should you have interest, the election document governing elections can be viewed here.

Additionally, Sarah Imig is looking for volunteers to serve on the Teacher Development and Enhancement Committee. This committee will meet at the Gopher Regional this May in Minnetonka. Those with interest or questions can contact Sarah at [email protected]. 

Our thanks to all who serve our District 14 bridge community!

Upcoming Schedule - from Here to (Almost) Eternity!

Yet again, our thanks to Steve Gaynor for supplying us with the latest and greatest schedule of upcoming bridge events in Minnesota and beyond!

Unit 178 - February Minutes; Upcoming April Agenda

Our thanks to Linda Brammer for keeping everyone up to date on activities by the Unit 178 Board.

Below is February's minutes - and the upcoming agenda for April.  We appreciate all you do for us, 178 Board of Directors!

GNT 2017 District 14 Finals

 

The District 14 Finals for Grand National Teams will be here soon! The weekend of May 6-7 in Mason City, Iowa, is when Flight A, B and C and Open teams will convene to determine who will represent our district at the Summer NABC in Toronto.

This is a marvelous opportunity to compete against your peers, have a fun weekend of bridge and, perhaps, win a subsidized trip to Toronto. If the cards align your way, then you can face teams from throughout ACBL-land!

Mike Cassel, our GNT coordinator, has a new flyer with the details. Please see below - then grab your team and head to Mason City!  Good luck, all!

Our Last Hand

 

To our non-bridge playing friends, it may seem odd that we are publishing so many remembrances of one man. Yet, Larry Oakey was such a "one of a kind" - and so integral to our entire bridge community - we here in Minnesota understand it all utterly.

Another player who, like Larry, is a long time expert player and someone who has given, over and over and over, to the Minnesota bridge world, is Kerry Holloway. Kerry and Larry were long time friends, partners, and co-conspirators in doing so much for all of us....  Fitting that Kerry would craft such a lovely remembrance of TGLO.

Thanks, Kerry - and - enjoy, everyone.

I miss TGLO. He provided so many hilarious moments I couldn't begin to recall a tenth of them. One of the earliest occurred at the Minneapolis Grand Slam Club. In the early 80's, when still a beginning player, I was tasked with writing and publishing (and mailing, via snail mail) the weekly bulletin.

Larry made coffee and directed our MGSC game, and during the lull would write an informative or educational article. This I would type up and include in the weekly bulletin, along with results.

One Friday evening, no Larry!  What to do?  I wasn't about to undertake an educational article (with my 50 Masterpoints) for a membership that was 97% Life Masters.  So wrote about, the 3 C's ... Confidence, Commitment, and Control.

The following week Larry returned, and I asked if he would write an article. "Of course", he replied, "I would hate to have you write about the 4 D's!"

The last hand I played with Larry was memorable.  Final round of a 2 day Open Pair at a Spring NABC. Larry has Zia Mahmood on his left and Lew Stansby on his right.

Zia begins with 3NT, 4 Clubs by Lew, 4 Diamonds by Zia, then 5 Hearts by Lew.

Suddenly Larry comes to life with a 5 Spade bid. Since I was 7-0-2-4 with Ace-7th of Spades, I gave Larry a boost. He claimed 12 tricks.  

Later over a cocktail, Larry said he could have made 7, but the risk was making 5 ... and ... he should have entered the auction earlier.

I miss Larry.

        KDH

 

 

Hiawatha Bridge Sectional Results

 

A nice Minnesota spring weekend - and - a nice turnout, too, for the Hiawatha Sectional!

One of our local players nabbed the most masterpoints earned at the tournament. Congratulations to Greg Caucutt for his healthy take-home pay of 27.80 masterpoints. Less than a full masterpoint behind were Terry and Kathy Beckman, who earned 27.10 for their efforts.

Other players who scooped up 20 points or more were:  Paul Meerschaert, John Koch, Genny Rice, Lance Chamberlin and Bill Heyer.

The full list of masterpoints earned can be viewed here.  For results in each event, check this link.

Our thanks to tournament chairs Colleen Stacey and Kathy Maegerlein and all the volunteers for their efforts.  And thanks to Tony Ames for his fine directing!

The Man - The Legend - The Stories - Part V

 

Larry's fans were legion. More memories of TGLO today.

 

Betty Moynagh

(As sent to Kerry Holloway)

Thanks, Kerry, for sharing all the wonderful stories about Larry. I, too, so loved him. Back in the day, I would drive Larry home on some very bad winter Friday nights. After Walt died, while not frequently, whenever possible, I would still always try to get over to the MGSC.

When purchasing my entry, Larry would look at me, take my money, then say, "Are you really still alive?" Larry did always joke with me, as we were close to the same age.

A very sad heart now for a wonderful and dear friend.

****************************************************************************************************

 

Marsha Devine

 

Vern and I were new to the Bridge Center neighborhood in the '80s. Sitting in Perkins, looking across the street, we saw the TCBC sign, querying what the place was.

We started playing there and taking lessons, and then met up with Larry as our director. He always kept the game going back when rules were more strictly enforced.

A few weeks ago, I asked Larry about those times, and whether he missed directing regularly. He said, "No" - that times had changed, and sometimes people were nicer to one another now... and that also the intensity of playing had changed.  I think perhaps that he was relieved that he could now just "be Larry."

I will miss him and "the good old days."

 

 

 

 

The Man - The Legend - The Stories - Part IV

 

Sharon - TGLO - Roger - circa 2004

 

Larry was beloved by all - and the "Larry stories" are numerous.  More TGLO tales that we hope will put a smile on your face.

 

Peg Waller

Good bye, Larry. We will miss you.

It seams that everyone has an Oakey story; here is mine. At one time the Minneapolis Grand Slam Club held a handicapped knockout event. Kerry Holloway captained a team that included Larry Oakey, Peg Kaplan, Kerry and lucky me. Due to the fact that Kerry and I were "B" players our team was awarded two handicap points. In the first match, though our team battled hard, the final tally suggested a two IMP loss. But surprise, surprise! Handicap points, handicap points! The ever efficient Kerry quickly calculated a tie had been achieved. This forced a four board playoff which ended in a victory for the good guys.

Needless to say, our disappointed opponents were unhappy to surrender handicap points to TGLO. Next year -the handicap format was abolished.

Larry was an extraordinary guy. I loved him for all he gave to the players. He was always there to answer questions about bidding and play. But mostly, I'll miss his humor and the many chuckles he supplied me.

****************************************************************************************************************************

 Rebecca Anspach 

Here is my Larry story.

A few years ago Keith and I went to the movies in Uptown.  Larry was standing in the lobby as if he was waiting for us.  We chatted with him for a few minutes.  Then, Larry walked with us to the ticket taker who knew Larry by name and said "Give them the best seats in the house on me."

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 Keith Hanson

For many years, Jim Hall had two season tickets to the North Stars. When his wife didn’t want to go, he’d scrounge around looking for someone else to go with him.

Larry was a frequent target, but hockey was really not his sport. On one occasion when Larry just didn’t feel like going, Hall persisted. Finally, Larry said, "OK, but only if you take me out to dinner beforehand."

The next day Larry was telling people that he was the only professional hockey game watcher in the Twin Cities.

 ***************************************************************************************************************************

 Roger and Sharon Anderson

After we moved to Eagan ten years ago, we had dozens of Saturday night dinner and team games in our 7-table card room. Sometimes the players were a variety of intermediate players we wanted to get to know better. Sometimes the players were the many “old” friends we’ve made in our 47 years of playing bridge.

Larry was almost always the director.  He never wanted to play, but he liked to be helpful and did all sorts of little things that made for a smooth-running game.

While bridge was being played, he would watch whatever sports he could find on the TV in the next room. As players finished the round early, a number of the guys would join him to see what was going on. Between rounds, Larry would keep things organized, and maybe drop a quiet, funny line that hardly anyone could hear.

The last thing Larry wanted to do was draw attention to himself, even though he deserved a ton of thanks for all his many invisible contributions. The only thing he wanted in return for being part of the activities was a ride to and from his place in Minneapolis.

What a wonderful and giving guy!

 

Celebration of Life

Sunday, April 23, 2017

4PM

A Memorial Celebrating the Life of

Larry Oakey

Twin City Bridge Center

Luncheon to Follow

 

 

Reminder: Unit 103 Award Banquet - Mini-McKenney & Ace of Clubs - 2016

A reminder - please RSVP by April 12th for the fun and happy Unit 103 Awards Banquet!

 

 

 

Attend Unit 103's Awards Banquet and celebrate the 2016 winners

of Unit 103 Ace of Clubs and Mini- McKenney!

 

WHEN:          Saturday, April 22, 2017

                     1PM                                

 

WHERE:        St. Paul Bridge Center

                         2603 – 6^th Avenue East

                               North St. Paul, MN   55109

                       Phone:  651-490-5430

 

Congratulations to all Unit 103 players that did well in 2016!

We look forward to recognizing and celebrating their success.

 

All players are welcome to a complimentary lunch starting at 1:00.

 

 Immediately following will be the Awards presentations and a special Bridge game. 

Players who are 1^st, 2^nd, or 3^rd in their category will play free.

$6 entry for others.

 

Please join us in this fun day!  Everyone is welcome!

 

RSVP by April 12^th to 651-490-5430.  We look forward to seeing you!

The Man - The Legend - The Stories - Part III

What can we say?  TGLO tributes, stories and remembrances keep on coming. As long as they do - we will keep on sharing!

First - thoughts from one of Minnesota's younger members, Richard Lawson. Then, tales from another "old timer" - Bill Voedisch.  

Our thanks to you both, Richard and Bill.

 

The world is a sadder place today.  So many good TGLO stories.   Here are a few more.

I used to have a very bad habit of detaching cards from my hand before it was my turn to play, because I knew what declarer was going to do next.  Larry saw me doing that, and in the middle of running his long suit, he suddenly switched to another suit.  I was forced to awkwardly fumble my cards and follow suit.  He then made one of his usual mildly disparaging and humorous comments (I can't remember what it was) and went back to cashing his long suit. Lesson learned, and I stopped doing that.

Back when Bill and Elaine ran the TCBC, they had an event called "Beat the Experts", where anyone who had a higher-percentage game than the designated expert pair were awarded a free play.  During one such event, Larry announced as the game started, "Today's expert pair includes" and then his voice turned comically incredulous, "Elaine Erickson?!" The whole room burst out in laughter, none louder than Elaine's.  (As an aside, no one won a free play that day as Elaine and her partner blew away the field.)

Many years ago I wrote up Minneapolis Grand Slam Club matches for the Bridge Bulletin, back when Peg still wrote the MGSC Bulletin.  Sadly I spent the better part of the last three hours trying to find a write-up of when Peg and Larry played.  It was filled with the usual brilliance's - I especially remember a 3NT that was bid when Peg and Larry both had half-stoppers in the opponent's suit and were able to intelligently communicate that fact.  There was also a collection of the usual Larry sotto voce, sardonic commentary.  One example: after the opening lead was made and he was declarer:  "I wonder if she has her bid.  Nope. We're about to be slaughtered."  (**Alas, waaaay too many of these throughout our partnership and virtually always ME... from Peg!)

Larry was also one of the best Pac-man players in the world.  Often when I would come down to the basement of the BC to play money bridge, he'd be hunched over the Pac-man game they had there.  He once talked about the patterns he knew and commented he had one of the top ten scores in the country.  As someone whose teenage years were dominated by arcade games, I was deeply impressed by this.

Thank you for being there for him, Peg.

-Richard Lawson

 

**************************************************************************************************************************

As a few of us were trying to break into the game of duplicate in the late 60’s, we couldn’t help but run into Larry Oakey early in our adventures.  Not just club games; Larry seemed a fixture at tournaments, too.  You see, somebody had to tally the scores as there was no computer scoring.

Larry would take the travelling score sheets, match point them if that hadn’t been done already, and then, enter the results in pencil on two big, yellow ruled  “burner sheets,” one for NS, one for EW.  But it had to balance and this is where Larry was at his best.  For each hand he would zip down the column, pencil in hand, and it had to balance.  If it balanced he wouldn’t say much, but from time to time you’d hear … “Off a half North-South, can someone check the scoring on 17.”  Larry was sort of a human adding machine.  No one could do this like Larry.

Another good memory was what would happen at about 11:30 PM on a Friday or Saturday night of a tournament.  While most players were toast after a full day of bridge, Larry would walk the floors of the venue, saying the following: “Night Owl.”   “Minnesota Room.  Midnight.”  “Night Owl.”   You had a decision to make.  Do I … have a beer with the boys?  play in Larry’s Night Owl?  listen to Stoop’s band?  … or go home for some much needed sleep?

Other memories.    I saw Larry many times at Gopher Women’s Hockey games.  “How’s the game so far Larry?”  “As expected.” or “Reasonable.” were standard responses.  Low key as always.   Larry’s love of movies and his memory for cinematic trivia.

Here’s my favorite memory of all.  It was in the early 70’s and we formed what was known as the Polish Army team.  Voedisch, Cerkvenik, Ullevig, Heimke and Sundlin-ski.  We had yellow T-shirts made up with “Polish Army” and our names.  They looked like cheap bowling shirts.  I think if you asked Denny he’d probably agree with me that Larry actually gave us this tag months before when noticing our names on a team entry … well, all but Sundlin’s name anyway.

After the shirts arrived we wore them to the next tournament, the Sunday Swiss.  We went to the entry table and of course, Larry was selling entries.  He looked up, saw us in the goofy shirts and said the following:  “I suppose you think men in uniform play free?”

I thought I was gonna die laughing.  Forty-five years later and I’m still smiling.

Larry, you were a top player, a great guy and a wonderful friend to the game of bridge in Minnesota.

        WKV

 

 

 

Hiawatha Bridge Sectional - April 7-9

 

Spring is heading our way in Minnesota!  And, no better way to celebrate the season than with bridge in Rochester!

The Hiawatha Sectional starts this Friday, April 7th, in Rochester. Enjoy a beautiful drive as the state begins to turn green, and buds are about to burst.

The schedule is here.  All fine events, so bring your favorite partner and teammates to this fun tournament!

The Man - The Legend - The Stories - Part II

 

To non bridge players, it may appear odd that we continue to have so many accolades and remembrances of one man. But, to those of us in the Minnesota bridge world - it all makes sense. Larry Oakey had such an immense impact in our community and lives, well....  the funny stories and tributes keep on coming.

Thank you, everyone, for your contributions about TGLO!

 

Kerry Holloway

I loved Larry's sense of humor. 

In 2008, Eric Rodwell won the title of most Platinum Points earned. Fast forward to spring of 2009, Larry and I are competing in the North American Pairs and we manage to make the overalls. Of course, this is the only national event that has been completed, and I hear Larry boasting:  "I have more platinum points than Rodwell - this year!"

****************************************************************************************************

Richard Lawson

Some 25 years ago when I first moved to the Twin Cities, I was dirt poor. I borrowed money to buy a bicycle and would often ride to the Bridge Center from where I lived. There's a particularly long hill that goes down Nicollet Avenue, and I, a young man of 27 or thereabouts, was hunched over the handlebars, struggling to get up it. Then, breezing past me, upright and using one hand, was TGLO, a few decades my senior, using as little effort as if he were simply heading to the mailbox. I'll never forget how easy he made bicycling look.**

 

(**Richard - in constrast to we mere mortals, Larry made just about everything look easy!  Peg)

****************************************************************************************************

 Howie Weinstein

 

Had lunch with Dave Lehman ("Victor"), which evoked one of my favorite TGLO stories. Larry, Dick Melson ("the Beef") and I were all playing in a Rapid City regional. We alternated partnerships throughout the 3 games. Dave was winning all of them. And now, 2/3 through the evening session of the Saturday Open Pair, Dave and TGLO were crushing the opposition to take a huge lead.

 

About 5 rounds are left to go; Larry takes David outside the playing area. David is anticipating a talk from The Master on how to preserve their victory.  Instead, he hears: "David, if you don't stop rocking, I will have to kill you before the end of the session."

 

So in a way, David, a compulsive forward and back rocker at the table, was indeed correct!

 

****************************************************************************************************

 

Craig Satersmoen

 

In the 80's, I played a Minneapolis Grand Slam Cub knock-out against Larry at The Bridge Center. I can't think of a more fun time I've ever had playing bridge.

 

The evening was full of little quips being tossed back and forth. Marsha Brouillet brought in a place of homemade chocolate chip cookies. Larry took a bite, then remarked, "Nice oatmeal raisin cookies, Marsha."  Almost fell off my chair laughing.

 

That was Larry; always kidding and joking; always having a great time.

****************************************************************************************************

 

 

 

 

The Man - The Legend - The Stories

MN Bridge has already posted items about Larry Oakey and his passing. And although each and every member of the Minnesota bridge community is cherished by us, as the saying goes.... Larry is "special."  

Because of Larry's integral role in bridge for over 50 years in our state, many have sent thoughts and stories to share with others. They truly are too good not to be made public - and so, we shall make sure that everyone gets to enjoy these Tales of Larry.

 

Joe Grue

Joe Grue began playing bridge in the Twin Cities when a young boy.  Son and grandson of other excellent players, Larry connected with all three generations - and helped to mentor talented Joe.

Today, Joe is heralded as a world class expert, with an impressive resume.  Joe shared these words with me when he first heard about Larry's hospitalization. Coming from someone who has played with the best of this best - pretty impressive.

I'm so sorry to hear about Larry.  Please say hi for me; he's one of the most talented, and nice players I have ever played with.

 

*******************************************************************************************************************************

 

Sue and Tom Grue

 

Joe's parents, Sue and Tom, have their own Larry story to share.

 

We were at the Erickson's one New Year's Day with Joe, watching football. We were going to play blackjack, but Larry didn't wish to do so. His excuse to get out:  "I only have a one hundred dollar bill."  

 

Joe piped up:  "I have change!"  - Joe's Christmas money.  Larry was trapped!

 

**************************************************************************************************************************

 

Keith Hanson and Mike Edwards

 

Larry had fans throughout the Midwest - and beyond. Coincidentally, two District 14 experts, Keith Hanson and Mike Edwards, shared the same story with me!  (And please note that Keith has for some time now been an incredibly popular teacher and director in the Boca Raton area.)

 

Larry is directing the Minneapolis Grand Slam Club. He's dealing with a big crowd, rushing like crazy with everything hectic. Yet, Larry needs one more person to have a "perfect movement."

 

Morrie Frier is there, and Larry approaches him.  "I need another player; can Ethel play?" Larry inquires.

 

"Nope," responds Morrie.  "Ethel can't play.

 

"I know she can't play," Larry responds.  "But - can she participate?!"