Six year ago, Joe Grue and team qualified to play in the Bermuda Bowl as USA2. His team did not win the title then. But, in 2017, after 2 weeks of competition against top teams from around the world, Joe Grue and partner Brad Moss, Marty Fleisher, Chip Martel, Michael Rosenberg, Jacek Pszczola ("Pepsi") and Captain Jan Martel did win the highly prestigious Bermuda Bowl!
In a terrifically tough and hard fought battle against an exceptionally strong French team, scores seesawed back and forth through the 2 and a half day finals. Joe and Brad might have thought the title was out of reach when they bid to a grand slam in spades that failed by one.
Yet, their lead was enough that when the final tally was in, USA2 was the victor by two IMPS!
Joe grew up in the Twin Cities and began playing bridge here. Under the tutelage of his talented grandmother, Marguerite Grue and parents Tom and Sue Grue, along with mentors such as Jerry Lee, Kerry Holloway and Larry Oakey, Joe swiftly learned the game. Rapidly, Joe progressed from new player to a clearly most naturally talented and successful competitor - and then top level professional.
Though Joe has not lived in Minnesota for some time, I know that we here still consider him "Minnesota's shining star"!
Congratulations to you, Joe, your partner Brad, your other teammates, Captain Jan for a fabulous victory. And our sympathies to the superb French team. Such a thrilling and close battle, many commented at Bridgewinners and on social media that it was unfortunate that only one team could win. A battle of titans, and we are thrilled that USA2 was victorious!
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