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The District 17 Bridge Buzz focuses on district and national news and provides you with the links to access the details. Catch the next Buzz November 2023.
Provide Cindy Shoemaker, editor, cndyshoemaker@yahoo.com with
feedback and content suggestions.
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By Elizabeth Hamilton
grtscot@gmail.com
415-994-3527
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The Whole Is Greater Than The Sum
Of The Parts
Attributed to Aristotle, Greek Philosopher
I hope your summer is going well. For many of us in D17, it has been a really hot one. As schools return in some areas it makes me anticipate fall and fun bridge activities about to happen.
The quote above is probably well known to you. Some scholars think it is a misquote because of the translation into English, but I like it and it describes D17 perfectly in my mind. The whole bridge experience being created in our Units and clubs never ceases to amaze me.
The District, as most of you know, is responsible for awarding sanctions for regional tournaments, including I/N regionals, and for offering STaC games, so you can earn silver points in your local clubs. There are also GNTs (Grand National Teams) and NAPs (North American Pairs) competitions organized by amazing volunteers. The next NAP District Final will be held during the Taos Regional.
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The GNT qualifying games will take place at your clubs soon. Lots of specific information will be found in the BUZZ and on the D17 website. Units and clubs are responsible for sectional tournaments, running qualifying games, STaC games and other fun bridge activities such as Unit games, seminars, bridge and local celebrations. It creates a whole bigger world of bridge for all of us to enjoy.
The District Board will hold its next face-to-face meeting at the Taos Regional. Let your District Representative know of any concerns you would like the Board to address. We would love to hear from you. In my June column, I referenced the Four Corners Durango Sectional. It turned out to be a really fun event, but I referenced the Partnership Chair as the Tournament Chair. My mistake. Glad someone took the time to respectfully correct me. I do appreciate that and I love hearing from members directly. I must congratulate Susanna Westerwick for running a great tournament with her team of dedicated volunteers. A big thank you to all volunteers actually! Those serving on Unit boards, Tournament Committees and the District Board members too - most of whom wear many hats. We could not do it without you.
May the cards fall in your favor!
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THE TAOS REGIONAL
SEPTEMBER 25 - OCTOBER 1
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Don’t miss the Taos Regional! Rooms and bridge rates beginning at $119 (not including tax) are still available at the host hotel, Sagebrush Inn & Suites. Call Lou Birkel, Sagebrush Events and Sales Manager, 575-425-7011, to make your reservations.
Taos is known for its great hospitality, excellent restaurants, fun shopping and interesting activities, and most importantly, for wonderful and friendly bridge.
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The Taos Regional features daily team and pair games and many opportunities for newer players to win gold and red masterpoints and to advance in rank. Complimentary refreshments are served during every session.
Click here to contact Rolf Houtkooper, Partnership Chair. Partners guaranteed.
September is one of the best months to visit Taos. The air is crisp and the aspens and cottonwoods are shifting in color. Consider driving to the spectacular Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, through the enchanted circle and ski valley. Take time to visit the many premier museums, galleries and shops that specialize in Taos-made products.
Click here to explore Taos.
Click here for Tournament Co-chairs and contact information.
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The Taos Regional is home to the 2023 D17 North American Pairs Finals. The Flight B competition will be held Friday, September 29. The Flight A competition & the Flight C competition will be held Saturday, September 30.
Click here to view the Taos Regional flyer.
ELIGIBILITY
Flight A is open to any player. Flight B is open to players with less than 2,500 masterpoints and Flight C is open to non-life masters with less than 500 masterpoints. All stratifications are determined by recorded masterpoints as of June 1, 2023.
QUALIFY TO PARTICIPATE
Club qualifying games both online and face-to-face have ended. We hope that you qualified and that you will join us in Taos.
Click here to see who qualified in D17.
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ADVANCE TO THE NATIONAL FINALS
The top three eligible pairs in Flight A of the district finals, and the top four eligible pairs in Flights B and C of the district finals qualify to the national finals held during the 2024 Spring NABC, Louisville, KY.
Click here for details.
ACBL provides free entries for those who compete in the NAP National Finals. First place qualifiers in every flight will receive a stipend of $700 each to compete in the NAP National Finals. Second place qualifiers will receive $300 each.
D17 provides the third place finishers $200 each and the fourth place finishers $100 each upon participation in the NAP National Finals.
For information contact Lakin Hines, D17 NAP Coordinator - lakinh57@yahoo.com.
Click here for the D17 Conditions of Contest.
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CACTUS FLOWER NLM REGIONAL
NOVEMBER 16-18
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By Jack Shoemaker
Tournament Chair
shoejack20@gmail.com
The Cactus Flower Non-Life Master (NLM) Regional delivers the GOLD Thursday, November 16 through Saturday, November 18 at the Tanque Verde Lutheran Church, 8625 E. Tanque Verde Road, Tucson. Ample free parking daily.
This regional is exclusively for non-life masters with fewer than 750 points. Gold Rush Pairs or teams that finish in the overalls (Stratification A) will be awarded 33 percent gold and 67 percent red masterpoints!
There will be two days of two-session Gold Rush Pairs. Saturday is the Gold Rush Swiss Teams. All non-life masters will receive a tournament patch and more.
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The Cactus Flower NLM Regional and the Tucson Fall Sectional will be held at the same time and at the same location; however, they are two separate tournaments.
The sectional offers two days of open pairs and two days of Swiss teams. A sectional stratified Swiss teams will be held on Saturday.
Hospitable touches include complimentary coffee and hot tea daily and premium candy each afternoon. Saturday lunch will be offered at a reduced rate.
Take advantage of free lectures by top local experts Thursday and Friday between sessions.
Need a partner? Contact Doug Cain, Partnership Chair, cainds2@comcast.net or post to www.playsouthernazbridge.com and click partnerships.
The regional and the sectional are cashless tournaments. Please be prepared to pay with a credit/debit card.
We look forward to seeing you in Tucson!
Click here to view tournament flyer.
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LAND OF ENCHANTMENT REGIONAL
ALBUQUERQUE, NM
JANUARY 15-21, 2024
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By Sharon Smith
D17 Education Chair
sharondrsmith@me.com
The D17 website provides informational resources and pathways for player advancement. Go to http://www.d17acbl.org to find D17 clubs, teachers, classes and tournaments.
BRIDGE CURRICULUM TO GROW MEMBERSHIP
D17 has licensed Patty Tucker’s Bridge In a Day (BIAD) program. This program is a great starting place for new or returning players. The new students start with the introductory program which can be held in one day or two or three short lessons. New and returning players benefit by participating in the 10 lesson series on bidding and play. The 10 lessons advance beginners knowledge and help returning players gain confidence. The program can be offered virtually or in person. Contact Sharon for details.
ATTEND A D17 ONLINE SWISS TEAMS
TRAINING EVENT
Build confidence, camaraderie and skill by attending an upcoming D17 Swiss Teams training event online. You don’t need a team to attend. There are six monthly online Saturday sessions scheduled. Dates are: September 16, October 14, November 11, December 9, January 13 and February 17. Click here to access the D17 class calendar to find a month(s) that meets your schedule. Does your team need a coach or are you interested in becoming a coach? Contact Sharon for details.
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GAMES FOR PLAYERS WITH LESS THAN 200 MASTERPOINTS
The All-Western NiteClub is a great community to meet newer players and to learn and improve. Players with under 200 masterpoints can play 12 boards on Bridgebase.org then join the Zoom review nightly on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Click here to access the current flyer.
SUPPORT LOCAL BRIDGE EDUCATION
Whether it's a nationally known or local instructor, clubs and Units in D17 are offering engaging workshops and seminars to help players reinforce concepts and advance in skill. Recently, Robert Todd, professional bridge instructor, held bridge seminars in Vale and Steamboat, CO. Let Sharon know when your club or Unit is planning a workshop/seminar, so details can be added to the D17 class calendar. Success stories welcome!
| Sharon Smith, D17 Education Chair and Robert Todd, nationally-acclaimed bridge instructor, smile for the camera during a Todd seminar, Steamboat, CO. | |
ACBL members receive masterpoints for winning and placing in club games and tournaments as they strive to advance in rank. There are 16 ranks, from Junior Master (5 masterpoints) to Grand Life Master (10,000 masterpoints plus a victory in an eligible North American Bridge Championship). Learn rank qualifications. | |
NEWLY MINTED LIFE MASTERS | |
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Sally Donaldson
Unit 360
Colorado Springs, CO
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Patricia McCreary
Unit 355
Sedona, AZ
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Richard Abell
Unit 354
Rio Verde, AZ
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Not Pictured: Bettina Brill, Unit 356, Tucson, AZ; Mark Doucette, Unit 351, Mesa, AZ; Julie Gregory, Unit 374, Corrales, NM and Paul Morris (also a Silver Life Master) Unit 351, Gilbert, AZ. | | | | |
