As your webmaster, I am indebted to Connie Nelson for the fine articles and photos she has been sharing with us. Her latest and greatest, about John Koch, was superb.
Yet, Connie has not been around the bridge world almost forever as yours truly has. And, as such, I felt compelled to add a bit to John’s history – and accomplishments.
First, John has the 4th highest masterpoint holding in Minnesota. Given that John worked for decades as an attorney in St. Cloud and did not have as much free time as some, impressive indeed.
Even more impressive is this; John is one of only two Grand Life Masters in our state. As there are a number of quite talented players who do not reach the top status that one can in the ACBL, this is a big deal. One of the tasks one must achieve to become a GLM is to win a title in an open NABC event. John did that in 2004, playing with partner Tony Ames, along with teammates Rod Beery and Mary Egan in the Baze Senior Knockout Teams. And – lest you think that “senior” means this wasn’t a tough event, guess again! John’s team battled against and beat some of the greatest names in bridge history to win. And they did so playing 4 handed, which is especially challenging!
A few years prior to the NABC win, John, again along with Tony and 4 teammates, was 2nd in the 0-5000 Mini-Spingold. And in 2016, John and Terry Beckman were 2nd in the Fast Open Pairs. Quite the showing, for certain!
How did John reach such heights? I'm sure that his mom teaching him how to play as a young boy was part of it. Simply being smart and having an affinity for the game, too, was a help. Yet another factor was a combination of Tournament Bridge Long Ago - combined with John's drive to learn and win.
In Connie's article about John, she describes how John would attend tournaments and play against superstars. At least part of that was that was the way bridge was decades ago! No stratification nor Gold Rush. If you wanted to play, you faced everyone.
Did many of us get crushed by elite players? Yes, we sure did. Yet at the same time, we were able to get "free lessons" by watching and learning from what these experts did. John was adept at learning - and ultimately beating some of the best out there. I know, because some of the time, I was along for the ride with John and other teammates! I remember tournaments where we would beat teams with players like Paul Soloway, Mike Passell, Mark Lair, Grant Baze, Bobby Goldman - and others.
Not only was it an enormous thrill to now and then win against world class players. We learned - big time - by sitting at the table against them. If you have been fearful of playing against very experienced players, I suggest that you try it sometime. And again and again! Who knows, you might end up being a "John Koch" of the future!
In addition to John's success at the table, John has given Minnesota bridge players gifts. What might these be?
For sure, one is literally years of weekly articles about our game. Take a peek at the left hand side of MN Bridge, then scroll down until you find "categories" and then "Koch Korner."
In addition to being a superlative player, John is also a fine writer. Each offering is a gem; well written, insightful - sometimes mostly educational, or amusing, or a dazzling feat at the table. We must be grateful to John for these years of gifts. Yet I still am hopeful that one of these days, John will put together a book! John has the talent to do so; encourage him to think about it!
You might also note that in virtually each photo, John has a big smile on his face! That's because in addition to being one of our most talented competitors, John is one of our nicest (highlighted above with another of our best and brightest and nicest; Cindy Balderson!)
John - enormous thanks from me, and from our entire Minnesota bridge community, for all you do. You set the bar so high in every respect for excellence in competing - and giving back. We are grateful beyond words!
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