This is unusual for me.
I very rarely have more than one Typepad Story in a day.
And - I rarely have an opportunity to have The Great Bob Hamman comments.
That being said - HERE we go!
I am MOST grateful to Bob for what he has to say. And feel incredibly lucky for whatever Bob does for the world's greatest game!!
And - HERE HE IS!! The Great Bob Hamman!
Today’s Afternoon Side Pairs is named in honor of Peg Kaplan. I first saw Peggy at the table over 30 years ago at an NABC. We met by chance later that tournament, talked about the hands we had played, youth bridge, bridge friends, love for the game, Mr. Mollo (her parrot), her mom and dad — all the things we had in common and some we didn’t.
Every NABC since that first meeting, Peggy and I have connected, sometimes for lunch, sometimes breakfast and occasionally just in the hallway before a game when our schedules just didn’t mesh. Peggy is a familiar face at the NABCs. Her love for the game and the people who play it, her fierce competitive spirit and her photos that captured the heart of the game are known by all.
Due to health issues, Peggy has been unable to attend the last few championships. Bob Hamman (a close friend of Peggy) said, “I have known Peggy for more years than either of us want to acknowledge. During that time, I have played against her with moderate success and with her with some success. She has always been a fierce and formidable competitor.
“Additionally, Peggy has shown that she is first and foremost an intense and enthusiastic supporter of the mindsport that we both believe is the greatest game that has ever been invented. “Peggy won four NABC+ events and additionally deserves credit for an assist on two of the events that I have managed to be one of the last teams standing.
In 2006, our Grand National Team prevailed, but it would have been a much tougher road if her four-handed team had not already defeated the Florida squad which included Rodwell, Meckstroth and a strong supporting cast. Luckily for us, we avoided her team in later stages of the event.
For the piece de resistance, Peggy was our nonplaying captain in the 2020 Buffett Cup in Hainan. “Talk about herding cats: Our team consisted of four fossils, Peter Weichsel, Bart Bramley, Kit Woolsey and me. The more youthful players that carried our team to victory were Jill Meyers, Sylvia Shi, Oren Kriegel and Ron Smith. A heavy load, indeed. Our competition was strong, with teams representing Europe and China.” From all of us attending this NABC: “We miss you, Peggy!”
