The American League

Host to America’s Biggest and Best

Vol. 19 No. 1 January–March 2021

Inside District 7 Regionals ...... 2 District 7 Sectionals ...... 3 District 7 Director Report Mike Kovacich ...... 6 News From the ACBL ...... 7 Message from District 7 President Pete Misslin ...... 8 Special Opportunities for 99ers ...... 8 Free Lessons To Help Grow Membership ...... 9 Some Clubs Are Back! ...... 10 Club News ...... 12 New Life Masters ...... 14 Masterpoint Milestones ...... 16 District 7 Lifetime Top Masterpoint Winners ...... 18 2020 Goodwill and Charity Appointments ...... 19

District 7 Regionals The Regionals listed below are active as of Jan. 1. For up-to-date information on status and hotel availability & pricing, see district7bridge.org.

The ACBL has canceled all face-to-face tournaments through February and District 7 has canceled its Regionals through April. The ACBL , according to District Director Mike Kovacich, will meet in January to determine the future of late winter and spring events. ¨ Greenville (June 14–20) – Hyatt Regency, 220 N. Main St. (864) 235-1234. Co-chair: Jaime Villanueva, [email protected] (864) 414-0247. link: tinyurl.com/yxrpcqcz. See page 4. ¨ Atlanta (Aug. 31–Sept. 6) – Renaissance Waverly Hotel, 2450 Galleria Pkwy. (770) 953-4500. Co-chair: Jack Feagin, [email protected] (404) 966-8469. Tournament link: tinyurl.com/ya2uhzcv. See page 5. ¨ Charlotte (Oct. 25–31) – Hilton University Place, 8629 JM Keynes Drive (704) 547-7444. Co-chair: Arnold Hoffmann, [email protected] (980) 254-7476. Tournament link: tinyurl.com/ybyg3eml. ¨ Myrtle Beach (Dec. 27–Jan. 2) – Embassy Suites, 9800 Queens Way Blvd. (843) 449-0006. Co-chair: Blondelle Grant, [email protected] (843) 240- 5236. Tournament link: tinyurl.com/y8c4vx9o. Because of the pandemic, only the front page of fliers are included in the District 7 News. Schedules will be published on ACBL.org as soon as they are available (follow links above). District 7 vouchers with an expiration date of January 2021 will be honored at D7 Regionals through January 2022.

2022 Non-Life Master Regionals Jan 6–9 Pigeon Forge TN Sylvia Waters, [email protected] Feb 24–27 High Point NC Cindy Wright, [email protected] Jun 16–19 Flat Rock NC Sherry Sims, [email protected]

District 7 News editor: Karen Brown, [email protected] District 7 News is published quarterly by District 7 of the American Contract Bridge League. It is posted to district7bridge.org and distributed via email. District 7 News maintains a mailing list for members who cannot receive email. To receive it via the U.S. Postal Service, complete the form at tiny.cc/ajhxsz. The District 7 News is temporarily available only online.

District 7 News – 2 – Jan-Mar 2021 District 7 Sectionals Tournaments below remain sanctioned in 2021, but players are urged to regularly check district7bridge.org or the ACBL listing (tinyurl.com/y3t9uveg). Fliers are posted on the ACBL website as they become available.

Date Tournament Site Tournament Chair May 1–2 West Columbia SC Lee Webb, [email protected] May 14–16 Spartanburg SC Betsy Stanton, [email protected] Jun 4–6 Greensboro NC Claudia Hale, [email protected] Jul 2–4 Covington GA John Jernigan, [email protected] Jul 8–11 Durham NC Chris Moll, [email protected] Jul 23–25 Winston Salem NC Cindy Wright, [email protected] Aug 4–8 Knoxville TN Sylvia Waters, [email protected] Aug 5–8 Charlotte NC Arnold Hoffmann, [email protected] Aug 6–8 Macon GA Tom Wight, [email protected] Sep 10–12 Carthage NC Edward Weiler, [email protected] Sep 17–19 Asheville NC Rich Levy, [email protected] Sep 17–19 Wilmington NC Nora Miller, [email protected] Sep 24–26 Aiken SC Greg Roberts, [email protected] Sep 30–Oct 3 Raleigh NC Harold Albrecht, [email protected] Sep 30–Oct 2 East Ridge TN (Chattanooga) Bert Shramko, [email protected] Oct 1–3 Crossville TN Jane Peabody, [email protected] Oct 8–10 Savannah GA Thomas Roush, [email protected] Oct 8–10 Salisbury NC Myrnie McLaughlin, [email protected] Oct 15–17 Abingdon VA Auggie De Weerd, [email protected] Nov 10–14 Knoxville TN Sylvia Waters, [email protected] Nov 11–14 Durham NC Chris Moll, [email protected] Nov 12–14 Hilton Head Island SC Richard Murray, [email protected] Nov 19–21 Spartanburg SC George Russell, [email protected] 499er/Non-Life Master Sectionals (i.e., Future Life Master Sectionals) Jun 18–20 Pinehurst NC William McClelland, [email protected] Aug 5–8 Durham NC Chris Moll, [email protected] Aug 6–8 Myrtle Beach SC Betsy Stanton, [email protected] Aug 13–15 Hendersonville NC Nick Weedman, [email protected] STaCs (Sectional Tournament at Clubs) Aug 23–29 STaC D7; U219 (D9); D10 Janet Case, [email protected] Dec 6–12 STaC D7; U219 (D9); D10 Janet Case, [email protected]

Grand National Teams District GNT finals are scheduled for Flight A May 1–2 and Flight C on May 1 only at West Columbia, and Open and Flight B on May 15–16 at Spartanburg. The situation, however, is fluid, so D7 members—even if not previously qualified for 2020 competition—should monitor district7bridge.org for updates. We hope to have face-to-face competition, but if not, there will be a District on-line event in June, with finals at Providence or on-line in mid-July.

District 7 News – 3 – Jan-Mar 2021

District 7 News – 4 – Jan-Mar 2021 District 7 News – 5 – Jan-Mar 2021 ACBL District 7 Director Report Mike Kovacich [email protected]

November 2020 – The Board held a special meeting in October to consider a new marketing plan, which was presented in considerable detail. Both the League and the Board are concerned with declining membership. It is hoped that the number of persons who let their membership lapse because they are not playing will level off. League effort is to get new members, and a guest membership is part of this program. During the regular fall Board (virtual) meeting, one of our first orders of business was to elect a 2021 president. Because of the unique circumstances of COVID-19, Georgia Heth of Morton, IL, broke precedent and sought election for a second one-year term. A majority of Board members agreed that she has done an outstanding job under trying circumstances, and for this and other reasons, she defeated Kevin Lane of Los Angeles. As part of regular business, we received a report from Appeals and Charges. Numerous cases are being processed for unethical behavior (cheating). We received and discussed next year’s budget. With the COVID-19 situation, it’s difficult to forecast, but the Board believes the League is doing a good job. The (NAP) competition scheduled for Columbus in 2020 will be held during the St. Louis NABC on March 11–21. If St. Louis is canceled, the NAP will be online. The (GNT) competition is scheduled at the Providence NABC, July 15–25, but will be played online if necessary. Online championships would not qualify for Grand Life Master, would have a 20 percent masterpoint reduction, and points would be gold, not platinum. Based on a recommendation from the Competition and Conventions committee, the Board adopted a new alert procedure. An article explaining the new procedure, which took effect Jan. 1, appears in the January Bridge Bulletin. As part of the Board’s restructuring and downsizing, certain functions will shift from the Board to League management. This should reduce or eliminate some of the micromanagement. The Board received an update from the League on the new marketing plan. Marketing is taking the first steps to implement it and is encouraged by the progress. In other Board business, we received a report from the tournament task force that addresses issues anticipated by the return to face-to-face tournament bridge. This included a discussion regarding the number and size of tournaments.

Updated Alert Procedure As mentioned above, the updated alert procedure took effect Jan. 1. See the Bridge Bulletin, page 35, for an explanation, or go to tinyurl.com/ybnn2jou.

District 7 News – 6 – Jan-Mar 2021 News From the ACBL

Guest Membership Program The Marketing Department has implemented Guest Membership on the new YourMembership® platform. The Guest Membership program was announced to club managers, teachers, and unit/district leaders on Sept. 9, and to members on Oct. 13. During the first 60 days of the program, 905 Guest Members were registered. Guest members receive monthly reminders when the online Bridge Bulletin is available, as well as highlights on effectively using their ACBL membership. Email messages about Guest Membership are also being sent to prospects, including Just Play Bridge players and Learn Bridge in a Day students.

Alzheimer’s Association Partnership Despite the COVID-19 lockdown, 300 units and clubs diligently worked to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association during their annual The Longest Day campaign. A total of $828,000 was raised from fundraising activities, as well as games played on BBO June 20–21. Included in that total is a donation of $32,333 from BBO, a portion of the fees they collected from ACBL games over the weekend, as well as an ACBL donation of $29,000 in club sanction fees. See page 13 to read about the Bridge Club of Atlanta’s outstanding fundraising effort.

Virtual Clubs Virtual Club games table count remains strong and the table count from Bridge Base Online (BBO) continues to increase. The Virtual Club product is putting more than $2 million per month in local clubs’ pockets and the Save Your Club (SYC) product is providing more than $100,000 per month to clubs.

Online Monthly Table Count July August September October Virtual Clubs 127,097 118,531 132,353 125,072 BBO only 242,529 246,829 234,513 N/A

Public Relations The New York Times published an article Oct. 30, “‘It’s Like Playing with Kobe’: An Unlikely Intergenerational Bridge Team” (tinyurl.com/y5c3hddp). Numerous articles about 8-year old Andrew Chen’s Life Master achievement also continue to be published. Additionally, the ACBL produced “You’ll Be Back, A Hamilton Bridge Parody” (tinyurl.com/yy6kwgcy). District 7 News – 7 – Jan-Mar 2021 Message from District 7 President

Pete Misslin

Now that we have passed the end of a very unusual year, I thought it would be appropriate to give you a brief summary of the state of District 7. First, our district is in excellent financial health. Although we have not operated any regionals or other special revenue generating events since March, we have been particularly diligent in managing expenses, and actually closed the books on the 2019/2020 year on June 30, slightly better than the original plan. Well done to Larry Harding (our treasurer) and Vivian McIntire (asst. treasurer). I am happy to report that several clubs in the district have re-started face-to- face games, taking precautions to protect the health and safety of our players. It is noteworthy to direct your attention to the recent Bridge Bulletin article that emphasized many of the precautions that were being taken by D7 clubs in particular to protect our players. To the best of my knowledge no one attending one of these games has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. Well done to those club managers for their efforts. District 7 started a joint project with Unit 128 (District 9) in September, piggybacking on their work to provide games exclusively for 99ers daily at 7 p.m., with mini-lessons preceding the game and post-mortems at the game’s conclusion. Kevin Wilson has been coordinating these games (with help from Jim Ricker and Blondelle Grant) on the weekend. Through November, more than $4,400 has been paid back to participating D7 clubs. 99ers may only play in these games if their face-to-face club is registered. (See information on next page.) One area of concern is membership. ACBL membership has been steadily declining. D7’s membership has fallen more than 5% over the past 12 months. We remain the second largest district and will keep our boundaries as the ACBL transitions to the new regional organization. If you have friends or neighbors who might be interested in our great game, please encourage them to take advantage of the new 120-day Guest Members program. Special Opportunities for 99ers Florida Unit 128 started a 7 p.m. game for 99ers in July with a fantastic format. Expert Lynn Berg provides mini-lessons at 6:30 p.m., and a wide variety of professionals (including Larry Cohen) conduct a post-mortem (about 8:30). Unless there are special games, 12 boards are played. In September, District 7 was asked to participate, and Kevin Wilson, a Knoxville expert, agreed to coordinate. Kevin manages the weekend games using the same format, with several D7 players providing lessons and post-mortems. The Florida program had been weeknights only.

District 7 News – 8 – Jan-Mar 2021 99ers are eligible to participate if their home (face-to-face) club is registered. If it is not, or you are unsure, ask your club manager to check with Pete Misslin ([email protected]). If you play in multiple clubs, you are eligible if one of the clubs is registered. There is a no-visitor policy. Once registered, players receive an invite with all of the details. Entry fees are $6/person with $3 returned to the registered clubs (if you play in multiple clubs the $3 is prorated). Through 2½ months, approximately $4,400 has been returned to club managers in District 7. The district receives no funds. Recently two expert players, Bruce Greenspan and Rob Barrington, agreed to conduct occasional week-day post-mortems at no charge. If you are a 99er and wish to improve your game while earning , you want to be playing in these games against players with comparable skills. Betty Sandifer and Jesse Laird (along with Lynn) are the driving forces to get these games online, and their efforts are benefiting many in both districts. District 7 is grateful to be included, and District 24 (New York City and Long Island) recently joined. Free Lessons To Help Grow Membership 2020 was tough for . Despite virtual games, ACBL membership declined, with District 7 experiencing a 5.3% loss through Dec. 1. An innovative initiative, started in October, focuses on drawing new players into the bridge world using online technology. This free beginner bridge course on Zoom covers the basic elements of the Yellow Card, how to use BBO, and how to get people into the ACBL Guest Member program. The first test course was recently completed with 100+ players. A second course, scheduled for January, already has 425 registered participants. Given the initial success of this program with the potential to attract new players, District 7 is expanding the concept. The district plans three free courses, April 6 through June 22, Tuesdays at 1:30 p.m., Thursdays at 7 p.m.; Saturdays at 10 a.m. The 12 one-hour classes will cover topics from basics to Blackwood. With your support, D7 hopes to draw 800–1,000 participants—with the opportunity for them to become members of the ACBL and your clubs. To ensure a successful program, D7 asks you to spread the word to all in your local area through community newsletters, community websites (e.g., Nextdoor), neighborhood groups, senior centers, etc. The goal is to reach people who want to learn new skills and are actively seeking an outlet for their time. Information about participants will be shared with clubs so you can invite them to play in your games and/or additional lessons. Although no one will be turned away from these classes, the focus is to attract new players. Use your creativity to get the message out so people in your communities know about this free opportunity to learn new skills and have fun. Email questions to Al Smith ([email protected] or 910-457- 6674), who has been the driving force in making this happen. To volunteer or get more information, sign up here: eepurl.com/hmBcoL.

District 7 News – 9 – Jan-Mar 2021 Some Clubs Are Back! We heard from a few of them…

A few District 7 clubs have reopened for business. Three are profiled below, along with comments from some players.

Golden Isles, St. Simons Island GA The Golden Isles Bridge Club, St. Simons Island GA, reopened June 17 and has hosted open stratified games on Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays since that date. Because of the limited number of participants, the club has been unable to hold other games (0–99, 0–299, or 0–499). According to Rick Runyan, club president, it has strict guidelines, including requiring players to wear masks and use hand sanitizer. The kitchen is closed and no food or drinks are provided, but wrapped candy or power bars and BYO drinks are allowed. Runyan says members enjoy the social aspect and they have from 3½–7 tables each day. Approximately 40 members have participated and no illnesses have been reported. Golden Isles also has a numerous members participating online, so the club has not suffered a large loss of revenue.

Hilton Head Bridge Club, Hilton Head SC The Hilton Head Bridge Club closed in March. But the virus did not defeat the players. In June, the board of directors decided to reopen the club on a limited basis after implementing robust safety measures. The club is cleaned professionally twice each week. The tables are sanitized before every game, and the bidding boxes and cards are “rested” for at least three days. Temperatures are taken before players can enter the room and masks are required. They also have masks available for anyone who forgets and gloves available as desired. Each table has hand sanitizer. Hilton Head has limited its games to 12 tables, which represents 50% capacity. Feedback from those who have come back to the club has been overwhelmingly positive. People feel safe and are happy to participate in “normal” bridge. The club has had no reported cases of COVID-19 illness from anyone who has played since it reopened. Table count has dropped dramatically and the club has gone from 10 games each week to two, with a recently added Saturday Swiss once a month. Nonetheless, attendance is growing slowly but surely. Each week sees more new—or, rather, returning—players. New partnerships are evolving and new friendships are forming.

District 7 News – 10 – Jan-Mar 2021 What Hilton Head Players Say Kathy Wagner – Thanks to our dedicated board and club managers, we are able to play bridge feeling secure that all imaginable precautions have been taken to ensure our safety. The members that attend are compliant with all COVID-19 requirements and are very respectful of all players. Everyone wants to see our in- person bridge games continue. Kathy Buford – I went to the first game when the club opened. I discussed it with my regular partner and decided to go. I was impressed with the preparations the club manager, Sandy Richey, had made. I haven’t missed a game since. I love playing, feel safe, and really appreciate the social interactions—and I want to see in-person duplicate survive. The world is going to look different when we get on the other side of this, and I would hate to lose the competitive and warm and friendly world of . Slowly the games have grown with regular players that didn’t come back at first now showing up. I have asked many of them why now, and they all say they need the in-person social aspect of the game. Virginia Rotella – One of the things that I love about playing person-to- person is that the more experienced members of our club encourage us and answer any questions about how we should have bid or played the hand. The mentorship experience just isn't available online. We also have a chance to get to make new friends and meet potential new partners.

Oak Ridge Bridge Association, Oak Ridge TN The Atomic City Bridge Assn. (ORBA) is a small club that rents space in an old strip mall. This club, sanctioned by ACBL in 1947, has operated continually since that time. In normal times, the club holds 4–5 games per week and has 1,500–1,900 tables per year. Carol Bond, club manager, began researching what she could do to safely reopen the club. On May 22 the Tennessee governor issued an executive order that allowed gatherings of 50 or fewer people. Preparations to reopen included cleaning and disinfecting vents and ducting and purchasing high-tech AC filters. Every inch of the bridge center was cleaned with disinfectant. ORBA reopened with two games per week, with sufficient time between the games to prevent virus transmission. The club quarantines its boards and cards for a week between uses. In other precautions, only North may touch the BridgeMate. North enters all ACBL numbers and scores, then shows it to the opponents and partner for approval. Update: Because of the increase in infections in Tennessee, the club was forced to shut down in early December by directive of the governor.

District 7 News – 11 – Jan-Mar 2021 Club News

Statesville Duplicate Bridge Club The Statesville (NC) Duplicate Bridge Club held regular games at the Iredell Senior Center before the COVID-19 pandemic shut things down. While players turned their attention to online offerings for bridge competition, they did not forget the needs of the senior center. Executive Director Anna Rice (below) of the Iredell Council on Aging accepts a donation from Carolyn Sharp, a representative from Unit 244 and the Statesville club.

The homeless population has increased drastically with COVID-19, affecting jobs and housing. The Statesville Bridge Club also donated to Watchmen of the Streets, a homeless outreach of Habit Missions. Below, bridge player Nancy Wilson presents a donation to Heath Burchett, local director for Watchmen of the Streets.

District 7 News – 12 – Jan-Mar 2021 The Longest Day – Atlanta’s Achievement By Sam Marks The Bridge Club of Atlanta has participated in the Longest Day since 2014. When the ACBL became a sponsor of the Longest Day, it had personal meaning since my mother, Esther Rosenberg, had just been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Helen Browdy and Arlene Tauber volunteered to run our fundraising efforts in 2015 and have done an incredible job. The BCA has ranked second the last couple of years, right behind the Sagamore Bridge Club (Syosset NY). This year, our team faced special challenges. Unable to host our annual auction and all-day, in-person games, Helen and Arlene went above and beyond seeking corporate support and calling our members. Our online club hosted eight games that weekend and all entry fees were donated to the Alzheimer’s Association. We raised more than $140,000 for the Longest Day.

Columbia Bridge Club Supports AIDS Group In recognition of World AIDS Day on Dec. 1, Unit 160 and members of the Columbia Bridge Club made a donation of $1,734 to Palmetto AIDS Life Support Services. PALSS (www.palss.org) is a charity organization in Columbia whose mission is to help South Carolinians fight the war against AIDS. PALLS offers free services to individuals who have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS or are at risk of contracting HIV, and persons who work with their families and caregivers. In addition to testing and education, they also sponsor a women's support group, a men's clinic, and a women's health council, plus they offer housing support and run a food pantry. Pictured at right is the CEO, Carmen Hampton Julious, and a PALSS volunteer.

AmazonSmile When you shop AmazonSmile, Amazon donates 0.5% of eligible purchases to your favorite charitable organization. The ACBL asks members to select the American Contract Bridge League Charity Foundation. The Charity Foundation seeks to improve the quality of life in our communities by providing effective grants to Challenged Athletes Foundation, Marcus Autism Center, Open Medicine Foundation, and many others. Register at tinyurl.com/y9s98lcy.

District 7 News Welcomes Your Club News District 7 News welcomes news from units or clubs. Send your information to [email protected]. Articles will be published as space permits (especially when printing resumes).

District 7 News – 13 – Jan-Mar 2021 New Life Masters Becoming a Life Master is a goal for most duplicate bridge players. District 7 News welcomes short bios of new Life Masters. They are printed as information is received and space permits. Gary Davis, Cary NC – Favorite partner—George Broderick. We started playing duplicate four year ago, and it's been a lot of fun. Nancy Finno, Seabrook Island SC – My older sister, Mary, taught my younger sister, Maureen, and I bridge when I was 10. Forty-five years later Maureen reintroduced the game to me with a new spin—duplicate bridge. I’ve never looked back. I’ve had the time of my life at sectionals, regionals, and even nationals. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, but the experiences are what matter. My heartfelt thanks go to all my bridge buddies and patient partners, and most of all to Maureen, who now, by the way, has billions of points and will still play with me. (I achieved my Life Master status on my birthday!) Joe Garner, Hickory NC – Started playing duplicate in Hickory in 2013. I was welcomed into the club by Eldon and Susie Clayman, who provided hospitality and plenty of food. Bridge is both a gift and enjoyment, especially during these times. It has provided new and cherished friendships through the years. May we keep smiling even though we don't make our bid; after all it is a game. Laura Gilchrist, Charlotte NC – I joined ACBL four years ago because I had rotator cuff surgery and couldn’t play golf. Alice Gallagher talked me into going to the Bridge Center. I was hooked. I played with many different partners for a year before talking a friend, Wendy Wilson, into joining. Wendy became my favorite partner. She studies bridge and has made my bridge better. She is kind and never jumps on me for a dumb mistake. I have learned from the many partners I have played with over the years. I love bridge and continue to play often. I‘m grateful for BBO so I can have fun playing bridge during the pandemic. Cathy Henson, Atlanta GA – I played social bridge for decades. In 2008, I started dating Jimmy Eastham, who was a Life Master and a National Mini- McKenney winner. He recommended I join ACBL and play duplicate. A friend of mine, Gailyn Thornton, asked him to teach four of us. We loved the lessons and the teacher! It's been a double romance ever since with Jimmy and duplicate bridge! Gailyn and I earned Life Master this year. Thank goodness for ACBL and BBO during COVID-19. It has been great! W. Borden Hooks Jr, Mount Airy NC – I started playing bridge in high school with my older sister. I didn’t play much after that until I got married and my wife and I played some. Fast forward 40 years and I retired, and she dragged me to the duplicate games in Winston-Salem. Contrary to what I thought would happen, I really enjoyed it. I met many wonderful, fun, and unusual people! Going to tournaments and playing team games was memorable. Never thought I would get my Life Master, but here I am. Thanks to all who helped…partners, teammates, and opponents. District 7 News – 14 – Jan-Mar 2021 Brenda Kelly, Knoxville TN – Friends encouraged me to “try bridge,” “good for your brain.” So I enrolled in Jim Ricker’s class at the Knoxville Bridge Center and was quickly hooked! Through the years I have met wonderful folks who have become friends. I am grateful that ACBL and BBO provided the platform that Jim and Kevin Wilson used to create amazing playing and learning opportunities. Going into Stardust week I needed 1.81 gold. Friends quickly did the math, scheduled games and helped me “mine for gold.” A big thank you to all! Susan Mehiel, Hendersonville NC – Because I don’t go to away games much, I’ve needed about 4.5 gold to get my Life Master for a year or so. My friends in Florida suggested we go to the Orlando regional in January 2019 and try to get my gold. We played knock-outs one day and won our section—we were ecstatic until they posted the points—we only received 4.33 gold, leaving me .04 gold short! Then ACBL sent a letter saying that there was a scoring error at the Orlando Regional—more than a year ago—and I was given .89 red when it was supposed to be .89 gold! That did it for me. Cathy Miller, Charlotte NC – Watched my mother, a Life Master, play all my life, so I started playing duplicate while living in Des Moines in 2005. I only played once a week for those 10 years, so when I moved to Charlotte, I had just 99 points. Started playing more regularly when husband (Craig) wanted to get involved. We started traveling to get our color points. Have really enjoyed playing and meeting people in other areas, and they have become lifelong friends. Grace O'Brien, Mt Pleasant SC – I was introduced to bridge when my husband, Bill, was in the Navy. After moving to Charleston SC, we played in Kitty Altman's club and earned our first masterpoints. I never aspired to becoming a Life Master, thinking it was out of reach. I got my first gold playing with Diane Monroe at the Charleston tournament. I was hooked. Also helping me with gold were Nancy Meacham, Diane Erickson, and Ellen Dudash. My other special partners were my husband, Helen Duffy, and Jeanne Dupree. A big thanks to all of them for helping me reach this goal. Gregory Rayner, Covington GA – My mom taught me how to play 40+ years ago. After a 30+ year break I got back to bridge. There are four people I enjoy playing with most—my mom and dad, Larry Spinx, and Clint Doss. William Ricks, Canton GA – I started playing duplicate bridge with the Bridge Club of Lexington VA under the tutelage of Rob Apgar in 2015. Played in tournaments in VA, NC, TN, GA, and FL until the pandemic hit. Many thanks to all my partners and teachers, but particularly to my partner and friend, Karen Jackson from Lexington, who encouraged me to get the last 35 points online. Mary Ann Schrader, Hilton Head Island SC – After a 16-year layoff, I joined the friendliest and best teaching club in the country. Credit goes to Kathie, Peter, Peg, my mentors—Clara, Jan, Art, and Bill—for their instruction, and Sandy and Beth for their leadership. I only needed 25 gold, but reaching LM was still a slog. Per ACBL, I had 31 gold entries—including 10 under 0.1! They started with a Swiss game with partner Bill Dalton and our “A” team, Carol and Alan Keller, and ended online with my 50-year-friend, Debbie Luongo, Dayton OH. Thanks to my partners, especially Babs Kelley, and to my supportive family. District 7 News – 15 – Jan-Mar 2021 Masterpoint Milestones

Ron Smith – 30,000 MPs (Grand Life Master) The most successful, visible, and consistent bridge player in District 7 over the past four decades is of Chattanooga. Over this period, he has won hundreds of regional and sectional events, District North American Open Pairs and Grand National Teams championships, and then very quietly notched his 30,000th career master point in a virtual club game on Nov. 18 with a local friend, Stephanie Felker. He ranks 51st on the list of all-time ACBL masterpoint winners, 43rd among active players. Ron was able to accomplish most of this while teaching full time as a mathematics professor at the University of Tennessee- Chattanooga, where he taught linear algebra and matrix theory. He moved to the city in 1980 after teaching for several years at Northern Arizona University. Ron recently helped write a third book on the subject and also has published 40 papers through his career. Ron qualified for Grand Life Master in 1977 in a unique way. He was one of only three individuals credited with winning the Men’s Board-a-Match Championship (now the Mitchell Open BAM)—on the one-and-only seven-man team. This came about because of the health of team member Sidney Lazard, who was replaced not once, but twice, during the event. The team anchors played enough of the event to officially be champions: Ron, deceased ACBL Hall-of- Fame member Lou Bluhm, and Richard Doughty, also deceased. Ron won a second NABC championship in 1996, the Nail LM Pairs, with Walter Shafer, and he recalls finishing second “in four or five other events.” His wife, Linda, has been his most frequent and favorite partner since 1983, however, and they paired with Jim Foster and Bernie Yomtov in 1994 to win the Gold Medal in the World Trans-Nationals in Albuquerque. “Then there was the time that we were featured in The New York Times, when our teammates were Alan Hawkins and Jim Foster in the . We were the 32nd seed and defeated the top-seeded Polish team by more than 100 IMPs,” says Linda. While Foster, Hawkins, and Yomtov were frequent teammates at NABCs, the Smiths' longtime friends and most frequent and successful teammates in District 7 tournaments have been Jack and Claudia Feagin of Atlanta. They’ve won dozens of events across the area and for a stretch dominated any sectionals they attended. “And thanks to them,” adds Linda, “I’m sure we’ve saved tens of thousands of dollars in hotel bills and food by staying at their home in Atlanta."

District 7 News – 16 – Jan-Mar 2021 Ron also has a solid record in the Grand National Teams, winning the District championship seven times. In addition to the Feagins, the Smiths have played with Hap Neuffer, Lucas Lebodia, Kevin Wilson, Tom Carmichael, Hugh Brown, and in earlier years, Steve Goldberg, Lou Bluhm, Kirk Benson, and Bobby McMahan. Ron came close to winning the NABC championship in the GNTs, finishing second by “8 or 9 IMPs,” he recalls. Now retired, Ron has battled Parkinson’s disease since being diagnosed 14 years ago. Most tournament players have been amazed by his ability to cope with the symptoms as they became more apparent over the past four or five years, and the Smiths have been forced to curtail their travel and tournament activity. Ron and Linda—who has more than 23,000 masterpoints, hundreds of regional and sectional victories, and a second-place NABC Mixed BAM finish—remained among the top competitors before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down face-to- face bridge last spring.

Bob Heller — 15,000 MPs (Grand Life Master) This was not how Bob Heller expected to reach the 15,000 masterpoint level: online. “When I was on the ACBL Board of Directors,” Bob says, “I was very critical of online games giving away so many masterpoints and believed they should be separated from face-to- face points in lifetime totals. But then along came COVID, and with the exception of IMP games, there has been no outlet for competitive bridge — and socializing at least a little with friends and partners.” Bob, who became a Grand Life Master by winning the NABC Senior Swiss Teams in 2012 (with fellow D7 members Bob Fendrick and Larry Harding), was not certain when he reached this milestone, but he checked the Knoxville/Southeast Consortium results and found it was Nov. 20 playing with Don Laycock. “Jim Ricker and Kevin Wilson have done a great job with this virtual club,” Bob says. “What’s particularly nice are the pairing of Non-LM with Open games and the daily bulletins distributed throughout all of the special games weeks.” Bob has played in the club with 10 others several times each, most frequently with John Brady of Jacksonville. They have partnered several times in D7 sectionals. Online bridge allowed Bob to rekindle a partnership with Gaby Fadel of Atlanta, with whom he played some before moving to Knoxville nine years ago. “He puts up with my misplays and ‘creative bids’ better than anyone. He’s a very forgiving partner.” Bob retired from the ACBL Board after 2018, but he remains involved in District 7 governance. He was asked last year to serve as Unit 165 vice-president because of another person’s health problem and says, “Volunteers are essential if we want the best of duplicate bridge, and we need younger and less experienced players to step up whenever there is an opportunity.” Masterpoint Milestones continues on p.22. District 7 News – 17 – Jan-Mar 2021 District 7 Top Masterpoint Winners ** Grand Life Master; * Platinum Life Master (Data as of Jan. 1, 2021) 1 Jacek Pszczola, Chapel Hill NC 39,120 51 Patricia Jankovic, Alcoa TN 11,640 2 Ron Smith**, Chattanooga TN 30,062 52 Jeff Ziemer*, Taylors SC 11,476 3 George Bloomer*, Pittsboro NC 29,274 53 Hugh Hughes*, Greenville SC 11,457 4 Tom Rutledge*, Charleston SC 28,946 54 Happoldt Neuffer**, Columbia SC 11,435 5 Randy Joyce*, Chapel Hill NC 27,915 55 Mike Sheldon*, Marietta GA 11,161 6 Jerry Helms*, Charlotte NC 27,350 56 Harold Task*, Atlanta GA 11,006 7 Ellen Allen*, Summerville SC 27,330 57 Bob Simkins*, Decatur GA 10,894 8 Bill Wisdom*, Salisbury NC 26,768 58 James Griffin**, Greenville SC 10,869 9 Kay Joyce*, Chapel Hill NC 25,800 59 Wayne Hollingsworth*, Irmo SC 10,843 10 Linda Smith*, Chattanooga TN 23,805 60 Patricia Tucker**, Atlanta GA 10,839 11 John Kranyak**, Greenville SC 23,762 61 Jo Anne Newby*, Knoxville TN 10,712 12 Rose Meltzer**, Chapel Hill NC 22,413 62 Ann Reese*, Kennesaw GA 10,608 13 Nick Nickell**, New York NY 21,877 63 Shirley Dail*, Wilmington NC 10,579 14 Hugh Brown Jr*, Greenwood SC 20,851 64 Annalee Gault*, Raleigh NC 10,494 15 Michael Kovacich*, Stone Mountain GA 20,585 65 Brian Mason*, Crossville TN 10,471 16 Susanne McLaughlin*, Charleston SC 20,134 66 Jim Stogner*, Atlanta GA 10,456 17 Mark McLaughlin*, Charleston SC 19,908 67 Rajan Iyer, Aiken SC 10,438 18 Randy Pettit**, Marietta GA 18,142 68 Jean Ritchie*, Hickory NC 10,428 19 Chris Moll*, Cary NC 17,668 69 Arnold Hawkins*, Cumming GA 10,330 20 Richard Brown*, Easley SC 17,130 70 George Matuch*, Wayne PA 10,278 21 Robert White*, Raleigh NC 16,498 71 Judy Brown*, Charlotte NC 10,150 22 Lucas Lebioda Columbia SC 16,111 72 Sue Cooper*, Advance NC 10,079 23 Judith Bloomer*, Pittsboro NC 16,039 73 Gerrianne Mason**, Crossville TN 10,066 24 James Murphy**, Concord NC 15,969 74 Rita Ellington*, Charlotte NC 10,045 25 Ron Sukoneck**, Wilmington NC 15,688 75 Dave McClintock, Bluffton SC 9,752 26 Jack Feagin Jr*, Atlanta GA 15,624 76 William Burgess, Kingsport TN 9,615 27 Claudia Feagin*, Atlanta GA 15,501 77 Peter J Boyd-Bowman, Greensboro NC 9,586 28 Bob Heller**, Knoxville TN 15,126 78 Joan Braender, Newnan GA 9,552 29 Jimmy Pelham Conley GA 14,993 79 Alan Senzel, Raleigh NC 9,544 30 Geoffrey Phipps*, Bluffton SC 14,738 80 Paul Johnson III, Four Oaks NC 9,487 31 Dan Fowler*, Salisbury NC 14,255 81 Charles Davis, Duluth GA 9,312 32 Emory Whitaker*, Macon GA 14,220 82 Alec Price, Southern Pines NC 9,131 33 Craig Robinson*, Durham NC 14,151 83 Martin Johnson Jr, Folly Beach SC 9,084 34 Bill Kulbersh*, Atlanta GA 14,098 84 Larry Harding, Hampstead NC 9,003 35 Richard Potter**, Black Mountain NC 13,781 85 Paul Wright Jr, Mount Pleasant SC 8,871 36 Olin Hubert*, Atlanta GA 13,722 86 B Wayne Stuart III, Raleigh NC 8,815 37 Robert Fendrick**, Marietta GA 13,615 87 William Wise, Raleigh NC 8,777 38 Barbara Heller*, Knoxville TN 13,497 88 Liz Swanson, Athens GA 8,653 39 Brooks McNeely*, Knoxville TN 13,282 89 James Hawkes, Charleston SC 8,498 40 Len Case*, Charlotte NC 13,199 90 Jane Felton, Charlotte NC 8,495 41 David Klein*, Wilmington NC 12,971 91 Ronald Perry, Hilton Head SC 8,386 42 Ingrid Lane Kingsport TN 12,932 92 Naida Lamb, Oak Ridge TN 8,320 43 Joe Rickman*, Maryville TN 12,480 93 Marla Chaikin, Savannah GA 8,307 44 Brian Hingerty*, Knoxville TN 12,419 94 Lance Shull, Raleigh NC 8,298 45 Kevin Collins**, Dunwoody GA 12,368 95 Ronald Cadora, Gainesville GA 8,198 46 James Parker*, Hendersonville NC 12,162 96 Elaine Landow, Durham NC 8,140 47 Greg Roberts*, Aiken SC 12,031 97 James Gumbert, Flat Rock NC 7,955 48 Alex Hudson*, Morrisville NC 12,016 98 Vonnie Lavender, Indian Land SC 7,919 49 Darcy Parker*, Hendersonville NC 11,964 99 Spencer Hurd, Meigs GA 7,909 50 Samuel Marks*, Atlanta GA 11,928 100 Kurt Gandenberger, Pendleton SC 7,814 District 7 News – 18 – Jan-Mar 2021 2020 Goodwill and Charity

Committee Appointments

District director Mike Kovacich makes annual appointments to the ACBL Goodwill Committee and ACBL Charity Committee. As many as five district members may be appointed to Goodwill. Two are chosen each year for Charity. These are lifetime appointments based on exemplary service and contributions to duplicate bridge. During every NABC, Monday is Goodwill Day, and it is highlighted by a reception between the afternoon and evening sessions. At District 7 Regionals, Friday is Goodwill Day, where Goodwill and Charity appointees are honored. Following are the 2020 additions.

ACBL National Goodwill Committee

Karen Brown Karen Brown, Loudon TN, believes in helping novices, whether by playing with them in a club game or finding a team to help them get their gold in Gatlinburg. She started her own quest in 2000 (although she first played bridge when she was 13), soon after retiring from EDS, and was lucky to be living in the Detroit area where sectionals and regionals abounded. Originally from Kansas City, Karen and her husband moved to Tennessee in 2004, and she soon became active in Unit 165, serving as treasurer, director, and electronic contact. She designed and maintains the websites for the unit, and for the Knoxville Association of Bridge Clubs and Oak Ridge Bridge Association. On a district level, Karen is the webmaster and District 7 News editor, and is always willing to volunteer to help in projects, particularly when they call on her background in news-editorial journalism. She’s a fixture in the prize room at Gatlinburg, where she takes all the Life Master photos, plus helps with other duties, including preparing the Gatlinburg brochure.

Blondelle Grant Blondelle Grant, Pawleys Island SC, took her first step into the world of duplicate bridge in 2008. Pawleys Island Bridge Club became her community bridge club of choice. After several bridge courses and guidance from her mentor and club owner, Karen Galleher, Blondelle became certified as an EasyBridge! presenter, ACBL certified TAP instructor, ABTA certified online bridge instructor, club director, club owner, and Life Master. Blondelle provides impactful growth, development, and retention services to Myrtle Beach Duplicate Bridge

District 7 News – 19 – Jan-Mar 2021 Association, serving as board secretary and chair of the education committee. She provided marketing and other promotional assistance to the Pawleys Island Bridge Club. Both clubs benefit from her skill as a program grant writer. Blondelle has served as co-chairman of numerous sectional tournaments. She served as a board member for Unit 160 and is now treasurer of the unit. In 2019 she became a District 7 Goodwill member. On the district level, Blondelle serves as a director and tournament chair for Myrtle Beach Regional Tournament.

Joel Haywood Joel Haywood, Macon GA, grew up in Kentucky playing many different card games, and became a member of ACBL while attending college 35 years ago. He became a club director soon thereafter and ran club games while in college and graduate school. After graduation, Joel moved to Macon GA, and taught mathematics for many years. In 2013, he decided to change careers and became a tournament director. Since then, Joel has become a (welcome) fixture at regionals and sectionals in the Southeast, as well as working at the NABCs. Joel is also a past president of the Macon Duplicate Bridge Club. Joel tries to keep the atmosphere at a tournament light and friendly and is often seen wearing a smile. He thinks that playing bridge is a wonderful way to meet new people and socialize, as well as engage in friendly competition—with the emphasis on friendly, particularly when he is the floor director in the playing room.

Vivian McIntire Vivian McIntire, Kingsport TN, began playing duplicate bridge after taking an EasyBridge! class. Bridge quickly became a favorite pastime in retirement along with reading and playing viola in the Johnson City Symphony and several church orchestras. Vivian has served as tournament chair and president of the Eastman Bridge Club in Kingsport and currently serves as secretary/treasurer. She is the manager/director of the Friday game in Johnson City. She also directs weekly games in Kingsport and as needed in Abingdon, VA. In addition, she serves as treasurer of Unit 165, as well as assistant treasurer of District 7. Vivian has taught beginning bridge in Kingsport Middle Schools and teaches numerous adult bridge classes reaching hundreds of folks in Kingsport and Johnson City. She has provided these free classes as a way of helping others to learn and enjoy this wonderful game and to attract new players to the duplicate games in her community.

Marty Nathan Marty Nathan, Atlanta GA, is one of those players who recognizes that not all play the game for its science and technical aspects, and he constantly reminds himself (and others) that playing for social and other reasons is every bit as valid and important to the survival of bridge. At the table he believes in introducing

District 7 News – 20 – Jan-Mar 2021 himself, encouraging sportsmanship, and congratulating opponents on good plays (and partner, too, but only away from the table). Marty is a major participant in Unit 253’s mentor program. He stays late to help aspiring players after games and provides lessons, playing or small group, as a prize for bridge fund raisers such as The Longest Day. He was one of initial Atlanta Junior Bridge teachers. A Diamond Life Master, Marty started playing when he was 13 but took 35 years off during his career as a CPA and financial executive. He picked up the game again in 2000 and three years later became a club director and bridge teacher. Marty is one of the founders of Unit 253 when it was formed in 2015 and has served as its first president and treasurer. Marty’s wife, Patty, is a social bridge player, but his two sons—well, Marty never quite got them to play!

ACBL Charity Committee

Barbara Doster Barbara Doster, Hendersonville NC, is one of the rare individuals who became a worker almost as soon as she became an ACBL member. She started playing in 1993, began serving on the Charlotte Bridge Association board—as vice-president, president, then secretary. She printed the CBA member directory for many years. After moving to Hendersonville in 2002, Barbara became Unit 171 board secretary in 2007, publishing the calendar and member directory from 2008 to 2014. She has managed the Hendersonville Bridge Center and served as the club's webmaster since 2011. The unit selected Barbara for D7 Goodwill member in 2010; she was nominated by Bob Heller for the Aileen Osofsky National Goodwill Committee in 2014. The D7 board was looking for a secretary, and when Barbara was asked, she accepted and served until 2019. Since March she and fellow director Nick Weedman have directed all club virtual BBO games, donating most funds to their club's account in preparation for face-to-face games.

Rosalind Howell Rosalind Howell, Mansfield GA, moved to the Atlanta area in 2002 and immediately began upgrading her bridge skills with lessons from Dan Plato and . She became a club director, an ACBL certified teacher, and an early supporter of Atlanta Junior Bridge and various Duplicate Bridge Association of Atlanta (DBAA) and unit programs. Roz has served as secretary to the DBAA and Unit 114 and as president of Atlanta Unit 253. She was appointed to the District 7 Goodwill Committee in 2014 and later organized other honors for Atlanta players, including Goodwill and Sports Person of the Year. District 7 News – 21 – Jan-Mar 2021 Roz was deeply involved in the formation of Unit 253 and all its subsequent organizational issues. She focused on setting up unit championship events, complete with plaques honoring the winners and table prizes for all participants. She developed a new unit-wide Friendship Game and the very popular Mentor Program. Other areas of emphasis were the publication of a printed and an online telephone directory, a newsletter, welcome letters to new players, and celebrations for new Life Masters and new Grand Life Masters. You might also find her polishing silver trophies, organizing special events, and promoting all the local bridge clubs.

Masterpoint Milestones (cont. from page 16) Sue Cooper – 10,000 MPs (Platinum Life Master) “I remember one of my first duplicate bridge games,” says Sue Cooper. “It was in 1974, in Winston-Salem, and my partner was Kay Joyce. We both had recently graduated from college, and we thought we’d give the game a try. We had no idea what we were doing, and when it all was over, we found out we had a 74 percent game.” That’s just one of Sue’s multitude of stories through the years. Kay wasn’t Kay Joyce at the time, but she now has more than 25,000 masterpoints. Sue, last fall, became a Platinum Life Master when she reached the 10,000 point milestone. “Louise Garcia had ‘won’ me in a raffle to benefit The Longest Day, and because of COVID-19, our game was delayed, and we played online, of course,” says Sue. “But my good friend Bill Wisdom, who followed my point total much more closely than I, told me when it happened. I told Louise she had just taken me over 10,000 points, and she was so excited. We’ve played again since then.” Sue is one of the best known players—and characters—in North Carolina bridge. She was a teacher, club manager and director, sectional chair, unit president, and very accomplished player who won more than her share of sectional and regional events in District 7. “Wisdom kept my tally of points as I approached this number, and he had a trophy made for me for going over 10,000,” says Sue. “It was very cute. Friends wrote their stories about playing with me and they were posted for a while on our (Central Carolina Unit 169) web page. It made it all very, very special.” Sue’s “gang" primarily are North Carolina long-timers, including Jerry Helms, Randy and Kay Joyce, and two of her most frequent partners in recent years, Dan Fowler and Len Case. The group also included Harold Triplett, who passed away in 2009. “I credit Harold with teaching me, really, how to play bridge,” says Sue. “He was the greatest teacher and just the nicest guy."

District 7 News – 22 – Jan-Mar 2021