Minnesota Bridge

Collegiate Bridge - Las Vegas 2019

 

Our thanks to Eric Hendrickson for sending this excellent shot of our University of Minnesota collegiate competitors in Las Vegas.  We are most proud of our students from U of MN and Carleton College - and happy to present overall finishes in their challenging events.

While Minnesota teams did well in the Collegiate Bridge Bowl event, they did come up against some formidable and very experienced opposition.  Here are the results of the qualifying game that selected 4 teams for the semi-final matches.

Two Minnesota pairs, both from Carleton, placed in the overalls of the stratified pairs.  Congratulations to Sarah Emmons and Jackson Wahl, who finished 5th in Flight B.  And same to Jeffrey Boitnott and Sophia Maymudes, placing 4th in Flight C.  All results from the stratified pairs are here.

In the Collegiate Bridge Bowl Champion Pairs, we are proud of these pairs who finished overall!

Sean McNally and Morgan Johnstone were 6th in Flight A.

Zhongqi Zhao and Zeren Shui finished 5th in Flight B and 2nd in Flight C.

Sarah Emmons and Jackson Wahl finished 7th in Flight B.

Allie Clark and Sophia Maymudes were 5th in Flight C.

Final results for this pair event are here.

Given that many of the other players have both had much more experience than some of our Minnesota competitors and very in depth expert training, we are especially proud to see our players doing so well in the Collegiate events. Congratulations to all!  And thanks again to Eric, who continued to send out proud updates about our players.

And - an apology from your webmaster. As some of you know, I became ill just before the NABC began and was unable to attend. Unfortunately, not only was I thus unable to take any photos, I've been somewhat impaired and thus not able to do a good job of reporting this tournament.

I truly do hope that any and all Minnesota competitors at the 2019 Summer NABC will forward to me results, hands and any other items of interest from their experiences in Las Vegas.  My pleasure to share them with everyone and let people know how you did!

I do hope to be "up to snuff" in the near future!  Thank you for your understanding.

 

 

Las Vegas NABC Starts Wednesday!

 

The Summer NABC starts tomorrow; Wednesday July 17th. First major event on the agenda is GNT.

We wish all four flights of District 14 GNT winners the best as they try to best all other Districts!

Looking forward to seeing loads of Minnesotans in Las Vegas - doing well and having loads of fun, too!

 

GNT Open Flight

Bob Balderson Jr - Cynthia Balderson -  Carole Miner - Paul Meerschaert 

 

GNT Flight A

Erick Hendrickson - Andy Caranicas - Richard Lawson - Paul Gutterman

 

GNT Flight B

Justin Graver - Matthew Campbell - Jamie Radcliff - Jeff Buckwalter

 

GNT Flight C

Connie Nelson - James Schnepf - Susan Knauss - Roger Knauss

Aquatennial Sectional 2019 Results

 

Loads of players headed to the Twin City Bridge Center this past week to enjoy many sessions of great bridge - and escape some our steamy weather!  Over 1000 masterpoints were earned - and - the most were earned by Dave Collins!  Dave's total came to almost 32.  Other fine masterpoint winnings were accomplished by Paul Meerschaert with almost 30, Gary Knippenberg with 27.71, Harry Sapienza at 27.75 and Brian Crossley with 26.67.  The full list of those who earned masterpoints is here.  And the overall finishes in each event is here.

 

 

Thanks to Kim Hayward for her ever wise directing skills and happy smiles - to Teri and Chip Blu for the TCBC and hospitality - and OF COURSE to all of you for being our great competitors!  Whether decade long experts or newbies - we welcome you all!

 

 

A special "shout out" too to two of our college stars - Sarah Emmons and Jackson Wahl from Carleton College. Not only did Sarah and Jackson place 1st or 2nd in FOUR different 49er games .... they are headed to the Summer NABC Collegiate Pairs competition in Las Vegas after having won a trip to compete there!  So - applause to them and to all of our other superb college kids who are learning and succeeding.  (And sorry for any for whom I missed grabbing a photo; too busy week for your webmaster.)

 

 

One more shot of True Love at the Bridge Table, with Paul Meerschaert and Sandy Fisher - then a bunch of our other competitors below the line!  Thank you for coming and having a great time, everyone!

 

Jean Leighton - 1926 - 2019

 

 

This week, Minnesota lost a very long time bridge player - and one who gave deeply to our community:  Jean Leighton. Jean peacefully passed away on July 9th in Detroit Lakes at her family cabin.

Jean lived in various areas of our state, and for many years in St. Cloud. Two of her good friends, Kathy Beckman and Kory Solarz, have been kind enough to share memories and tales of a wonderful woman who began playing our game at 10 (!!) - and competed in last year's St. Cloud Sectional at age 92.

 

Jean did so much for bridge!  She was a great volunteer and a classy lady.  2019 was the first time in many years that Jean was unable to attend the St. Cloud sectional - but several tables had Leighton family members competing.

She and her family were all generous givers and volunteers.  For many years, Jean's family hosted and paid for the Sunday dinner at the St. Cloud tournament for everyone.  And her son is doing a fine job of promoting bridge in the Grafton, ND area.

Jean always had a smile....

        Kathy Beckman

 

This week, our St. Cloud Bridge Club lost a wonderful long time player and an ardent supporter of our club. 

Jean Leighton's competitive spirit was always accompanied by the highest ethical standards and concern for her partner's and her opponents' enjoyment of the game.

Jean - we will all miss you!

Jean's wake will be from 4PM to 8PM on July 17 and services are scheduled for 11AM on July 18th. Both will be at St. Augustines Church.

        Kory Solarz

 

A most beautiful obituary about Jean - her life, her travels, her family - and of course - bridge - can be found here.

Our deep condolences to Jean's many family members and friends.

Aquatennial Silver Point Sectional - July 10 - July 15

 

Summer's Aquatennial Silver Point Sectional begins today!  Enjoy stratified open pairs and stratified 499er pairs throughout the week, with Charity Pairs (paying extra points) on Sunday.

Head on over to the Twin City Bridge Center with it's convenient daytime schedule and have a blast!  The full schedule with more details is below.  See you there!

Unit 178 - July 11th Board Meeting Agenda

Our thanks to Barb Zipoy for providing us with Unit 178's upcoming Board agenda.  And thanks to all the other board members and volunteers for their fine efforts!

Agenda posted below.

Happy 4th of July - Happy Almost Forever Schedule of Bridge Events

 

Hope all Minnesotans are enjoying their Fourth of July Holiday!  

And - to make your holiday even more special - an updated Almost Forever Schedule of Events from our superb Maker of Bridge Calendar Events - Steve Gaynor.

The calendar is below. Hope your summer and your bridge is beyond special!