University of Minnesota - Gopher The Finesse
Carleton College - Carleton Penguins
Sometimes a concept is "out of the ballpark" wonderful. Count me in as one who classifies the Collegiate Bridge Bowl in this category.
We were terrifically proud that not just one, but two fine Minnesota college teams competed and won trips to the 2018 Atlanta NABC to compete in this year's Bowl. Winning teams received handsome subsidies to attend the competition. Needless to say, this alone was a big help to our college players. And, for those who placed in the top 4 of the knock-out phase, college scholarship money was available.
Did our students do well in Atlanta? Yes they did! The Carleton Penguins finished third overall in the Swiss, with 8 teams then moving on to the knock-out phase. Alas; Gopher The Finesse ended up 9th, just out of the money. Still a good showing; results from the Swiss phase are here.
In bridge, so often it seems there is "good news; bad news". So it was in the Atlanta Bowl. The Penguins were, of course, thrilled about their finish in the Swiss, and excited that they would get to "pick" their opponent. (An advantage when you can select a weaker team rather than a stronger team.) Yet the Penguins told me that one victory point more would have allowed them to select from the "weaker group" rather than the "stronger group." Sigh; that IS bridge!
As your webmaster is also the proud coach of the Carleton team, needless to say I was anxious to see how they did at every phase of the competition. The team held their own in the knockout, and had a number of successful forays and substantial pickups. Unfortunately, however, when the final IMPS were tallied, the Penguins got KO'd.
Everyone should note, however, that some of our players have only a modest amount of experience. At least one Penguin member has been playing less than one year! Holding their own against the Columbia team, that finished fourth overall in the event, is a fine showing for the Carlton players.
An individual event was held on the last day of competition. Kudos to our Minnesota youth superstar from University of Minnesota in Duluth, Ben Kristensen. Ben finished third in this event; all overalls can be found here.
Many of us who have been playing bridge for decades bemoan that the average age of ACBL members creeps higher and higher as the years go by. Of course, we all appreciate and value every single member of our League - irrespective of details! Yet, for those of us who remember large turnouts in clubs and tournaments, many of which were filled with young people, having fewer competing today is a concern.
Thus, my hat is off to the ACBL for creating this event and for their magnificent support of junior and collegiate players. Thank you so much!
Additionally, please give our two teams that ventured to Atlanta and all the other young players who are now learning our incredible game a huge round of applause. As we all know, our game is complex, challenging, vexing at times and a game that can never, ever be mastered. Even the best of the best err, guess wrong - or sometimes even make boneheaded mistakes.
I am terrifically thrilled that our Minnesota students are taking on the challenge! They are learning, studying, inquiring and improving every day.
Thank you, ACBL! Thank you, Stephanie Threlkeld of the Collegiate program, who has been marvelous in every way. And - thank YOU, young bridge players! We hope that decades from now, you will look back at your experiences in the first years of your bridge career. And, despite all the heartaches, the "almost was" moments and the challenges, you will say, "Bridge is the greatest game! How lucky I have been to be a bridge player!"
(Additionally, I, your webmaster, wish to issue an apology to everyone. I have been very tardy lately in posting. I shall do my best down the road in being more timely!)
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