District 17 BRIDGE BUZZ
JANUARY 2020
The Buzz is delivered to you the months the ScoreCard is not published. This online newsletter focuses on upcoming District 17 tournaments, events and breaking news and provides you with links to access the details.  

Contact Cindy Shoemaker, editor, cndyshoemaker@yahoo.com
with feedback and content suggestions.

Missed the December issue of the ScoreCard?
BON'S MOTS
by Bonnie Bagley
The ACBL Board of Directors (BOD) held its third meeting of 2019 before the San Francisco NABC. Congratulations to Georgia Heth, District 8, who was elected 2020 ACBL President for one year ending December 31, 2020.
I realize that I am prejudiced because I LOVE our ACBL National Tournaments, but they just keep getting better and better! Yes, there is always room for improvement, but our volunteers are the best and they work so very hard in conjunction the ACBL staff to produce fabulous tournaments for our players. Although there was less table count, 10,373 versus 2012’s 13,410.5 and fewer attendees, 4,437 versus 2012’s 5,610, those in attendance had a fabulous time.
The San Francisco Marriott Marquis is a wonderful hotel and the playing venues are great. Be sure to put November 27 – December 7, 2025 on your calendar for the next San Francisco NABC.
District 17 had its fair share (even though we would like more) of winners.
Roger Lee was the D17 top masterpoint winner having won TWO national events – the prestigious Blue Ribbon Pairs with Wei Wang and the Mixed Swiss Teams, also partnered with Wei Wang. The inaugural Soloway Knock Out Teams proved to be a popular event with 94 teams entered.
I hope your holidays were happy, filled with family, friends, love and laughter and that 2020 brings us all more of the same. It has been a pleasure serving as your District 17 representative to the ACBL Board of Directors. I look forward to seeing you at upcoming District 17 tournaments and of course, future NABCs!
Pictured left to right: Roger Lee and Wei Wang, 1st Blue Ribbon Pairs and Mixed Swiss Teams.
Pictured left to right: David Caprera, Ann Brenner, Joann Sprung and Danny Sprung, 2nd Mixed Swiss Teams.
CONGRATULATIONS BECKY ROGERS
ACBL HONORARY MEMBER OF THE YEAR!
Becky Rogers has been an outstanding contributor to bridge for over 60 years. Most recently, she served on the District 17 board and the Las Vegas Unit 373 board from 2015-2019. She is a Grand Life Master with over 20,000 masterpoints.
TUCSON CHARITY BRIDGE CLUB DONATES OVER $300,000 TO LOCAL CHARITIES
Congratulations to Tucson Charity Bridge Club, Inc. for donating over $312,000 to local charities since its formation in January of 2011. Over 90 players were on hand to celebrate this milestone in December.
Located in Streams in the Desert Lutheran Church, Tucson Charity Bridge Club fosters education and camaraderie and is open to players with less than 1,100 masterpoints.
Due to the generosity of Tom Dunham, pastor, Streams in the Desert Lutheran Church, the Tucson Charity Bridge Club players and its countless volunteers, Tucson Charity Bridge has made donations to over 50 different charities.
Ruth Houkom, president and founder, was recently appointed to the 2020 ACBL Charity Committee for her outstanding commitment to growing the game, the Tucson community and to helping those in need. 
Pictured top (left to right): Diane Bixby, Ruth Houkom, club president and founder, Vonnie Erickson, Sam Sagi, Armin Cicala, Diann Plunkett and Hurd Baruch, club secretary and treasurer.
NOTICE OF VACANCY
ACBL BOARD OF GOVERNORS
The District 17 board is seeking applicants to fill a vacancy on the ACBL Board of Governors due to a resignation one year prior to the completion of the term. This position will be filled by appointment and will commence late January 2020.
If you are interested in representing District 17 on ACBL Board of Governors, please prepare a biographical summary not to exceed 150 words and send it to Bill Phillips, District 17 election officer,  spheres0000@gmail.com  
Deadline for submission: January 22, 2020. 
LARRY BERTHOLF
NEW DISTRICT 17 RECORDER
Welcome Larry Bertholf, new recorder for District 17, who will receive, investigate and respond to players’ reports mostly concerning player conduct and ethics. Larry’s responsibilities now include recorder support for units due to the elimination of the unit disciplinary structures as mandated by the ACBL effective January 2020. Bertholf replaces Becky Rogers who has served as District Recorder for the past five years. 
Hailing from Albuquerque Unit 374, Larry has served the bridge community as a club president and a volunteer financial auditor. He has also served on several conduct and ethics committees and has written articles focusing on game rulings. Larry is an Emerald Life
Master. 
“I love bridge and I look forward to serving as the District 17 recorder,” said Bertholf. 
His email address: bertholf@swcp.com
NORTH AMERICAN PAIRS
THE RACE TO COLUMBUS
The District NAP Flight A championships will be held during the Land of Enchantment Regional, Albuquerque, Saturday, January 25, 2020. The District 17 NAP Flight B and C championships were held during the Taos Regional in September.
The top three pairs in Flight A and the top four pairs in Flight B and C will be eligible to play in the national finals held during the 2020 Spring NABC -- Columbus, OH -- in March.
The ACBL will provide the first place teams in Flights A, B and C a stipend of $700 each and the second place teams in Flights A, B and C a stipend of $300 each. District 17 will award the third place teams in the above flights a stipend of $200 each and the fourth place teams a stipend of $100 each.
The ACBL will waive the entry fees for all flight participants. Stipends are dependent upon play.
REGISTER YOUR TEAM TO PLAY IN THE
GNT CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT FINALS
Don't miss your chance to enter your team to play in the GNT championship flight finals scheduled Friday, March 6 and Saturday, March 7, 2020 during the Tucson Winter Regional.
To date, only one team has pre-registered for the championship flight. Pre-registration deadline: February 15.
The remaining GNT Flights: A, B and C will be played May 22-24, 2020 during the Denver Regional.
The GNT National Finals for all flights will be held at the Summer 2020 Montreal, QC NABC beginning Wednesday afternoon, July 15, 2020.
Check your clubs for upcoming GNT qualifier games.
UPCOMING
DISTRICT 17 REGIONAL S
THE LAND OF ENCHANTMENT REGIONAL
JANUARY 20 - 26, 2020
ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO
Earn your share of gold at the Land of Enchantment Regional held at Marriott Pyramid Hotel conveniently located just off of I-25. Book before 1-10-2020 to receive the bridge room rate of $114 per night.
The tournament begins on Monday evening with a bracketed knockout and both open and 299'er charity pairs. The schedule includes knockouts, bracketed teams, Swiss teams, board-a-match teams, open pairs and side pairs. Five sessions of gold rush pairs are scheduled as are many sessions for 199'ers.
The District North American Pairs Flight A championships will be held during the Land of Enchantment Regional, Saturday, January 25, 2020. 
For your convenience, a lunch/snack bar will be situated just outside the playing area with bargain coffee offered daily. 
Contact Felicity Moore -
f.moore@netscape.com to find a winning partner or team and be sure to stop by the hospitality desk to receive must-have gifts and tournament patch. 
Lectures by top experts will be held Tuesday through Saturday from 6:15 to 6:45 pm.  
THE TUCSON WINTER REGIONAL
MARCH 2 - 8, 2020
TUCSON, ARIZONA
Great weather, a dynamic playing schedule and signature hospitality make this now annual regional the place to play!
Conveniently located just off of I-10 and five miles from the Tucson International Airport, the Tucson Winter Regional will be held at the Tucson Expo Center, 3750 E. Irvington Road, Tucson, AZ. Ample free parking provided. 
Players will receive discounted rates at several nearby hotels many of which are within walking distance of the Tucson Expo Center. (See tournament flyer for details.)
Packed full of team games, this tournament schedule includes: bracketed round robin teams, KOs, Swiss, five days of gold rush pairs, open pairs and side games.
The Grand National Teams Championship Flight will be played during the Tucson Winter Regional Friday, March 6 and Saturday, March 7 with potential play on Sunday.
In keeping with tradition, free coffee will be provided daily along with free lox, bagels, cream cheese and pastries each morning and free premium candy each afternoon. A free lunch will be provided on Sunday and a varied and affordable lunch option will be offered onsite daily.
Free lectures by top experts will be held Tuesday through Friday at 1 pm.
UPCOMING DISTRICT 17
SECTIONALS
NORTH AMERICAN BRIDGE CHAMPIONSHIPS
COLUMBUS, OHIO
MARCH 19-29, 2020
Join the thousands of bridge enthusiasts from around the world in an event like no other. The NABC is full of games, workshops and excitement, whether you are just beginning to play bridge or looking for prime competition.
Visit intriguing attractions like the nation's top science center, Legoland and the National Veterans Memorial and Museum.
The Columbus food scene is on the rise. Be sure to checkout the German Village for authentic restaurants, breweries and cafes.
There are two host hotels to choose from and both are connected to the convention center: Hilton Columbus Downtown, 401 N. High Street and the Hyatt Regency Columbus, 350 N. High Street.
There is something for everyone at the NABC COLUMBUS!
For more information on District 17 activities go to d17acbl.org