Tony Ames
Grand Life Master AND Grand Director!!
Tony Ames began playing bridge at the kitchen table in the late 50's. Tony would play the dummy's cards as his mom called out what to play. Some years later, Tony began to play "real bridge" with other budding freshman players at St. Johns University in Collegeville. Greg Vasterling came from Cretin, then to St. Johns on the 4th floor of Bennett Hall, where they met John Koch, an advanced sophomore.
The boys had talent, with Tony and John attending sectionals, regionals and national tournaments. I was graced with good luck to play with them on many outings, with Tony and/or Dick Bruno from Chicago as my pards. Tony and I would play during week events, with Dick coming in for the weekend, so he and I could play with Tony and John at the other table. We had great times, heading to St. Louis, Lake Geneva and Oconomowoc, Wis - and not infrequently beating some Big Talent! In one regional, we won 3 KO's and 2nd in a Swiss!
What I remember most about Tony's game, however, is that I knew NO ONE who was as nice and kind a partner as he. Twice, once at an NABC and once at Lake Geneva, we had costly losses. I would classify the LG one as about 95% MY FAULT - but Tony was right there apologizing for our disaster! Needless to say, I laughed and said NO WAY - and with neither of us upset we moved on to the next hand. And the NABC? Most were in slam going down 1 - but our jaunt to SEVEN earned us a double - and a bottom. Again, Tony was calm and kept us on track with his easy going demeanor.
The boys had talent, with Tony and John attending sectionals, regionals and national tournaments. I was graced with good luck to play with them on many outings, with Tony and/or Dick Bruno from Chicago as my pards. Tony and I would play during week events, with Dick coming in for the weekend, so he and I could play with Tony and John at the other table. We had great times, heading to St. Louis, Lake Geneva and Oconomowoc, Wis - and not infrequently beating some Big Talent! In one regional, we won 3 KO's and 2nd in a Swiss!
What I remember most about Tony's game, however, is that I knew NO ONE who was as nice and kind a partner as he. Twice, once at an NABC and once at Lake Geneva, we had costly losses. I would classify the LG one as about 95% MY FAULT - but Tony was right there apologizing for our disaster! Needless to say, I laughed and said NO WAY - and with neither of us upset we moved on to the next hand. And the NABC? Most were in slam going down 1 - but our jaunt to SEVEN earned us a double - and a bottom. Again, Tony was calm and kept us on track with his easy going demeanor.
For those who have not yet read their ACBL Bulletin, Tony has become Minnesota's 3rd Grand Life Master. Yet Tony has achieved another title that no one else has accomplished: The first ACBL tournament director to be a Grand Life Master! Tony's team faced a number of elite professional and world-class teams in Orlando's 2004 Senior KO's. Yet none could catch Tony, John, Rod Beery and Mary Egan.
In the early days, Tony the Tiger could be pretty wild, bidding like a crazy man. Fortunately, Tony calmed down a bit (though he says he can still deliver some "crazy") - helping him to achieve both his title and history first.
We in Minnesota are so fortunate to have Tony, as a fine player and as an superb director. He began directing at the Grand Slam Club in 1996 when The Great Larry Oakey retired. And Tony added new refinements to the games with pre-made boards and hand records.
2003 potentially could have been the end of Tony's bridge career. Home from the nationals, Tony was teaching a class at the TCBC. Suddenly, as students watched, Tony's normally fine discussions and explanations had turned into gibberish. Yet Tony had the good fortune that Paul Meerschaert was there, who whisked Tony to the hospital as he was having a stroke! Tony explains that ultimately some abilities were compromised. Yet as we know, his bridge talents WERE NOT!
Huge congrats to Tony for not only achieving GLM status, but for also being in a class of ONE to handle being a fine ACBL Director, too. And put me down as always being amazed at Tony's ability to be both so very talented and perhaps THE kindest guy around at the bridge table!
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