District 17 BRIDGE BUZZ
November 2019
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.

BREAKING NEWS
Congratulations to Cindy Shoemaker, president, Tucson Unit 356, who won the election for the District 17 representative to the ACBL (national) Board of Directors. Cindy was in a run-off with John Grossmann, D17 board president. Cindy won a tight well-contested election and will be an energetic, enthusiastic district director. John Grossmann will continue as D17 board president. District 17 players are most fortunate to have these two leaders. We are in good hands!
Bonnie Bagley
D17 representative, ACBL Board of Directors
CONGRATULATIONS TO DISTRICT 17
NORTH AMERICAN PAIRS WINNERS !
The District 17 NAP Flight B and C championships were held September 27 and 28 during the Taos Regional. Congratulations to D17 winners.
The District Flight A championships will be held during the Land of Enchantment Regional, Albuquerque, Saturday, January 25, 2020. 
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.
TUCSON TO HOST THE GNT CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT 2019-20
The GNT championship flight will be played during the Tucson Winter Regional Friday, March 6 and Saturday, March 7, 2020. A third day of play (Sunday, March 8) will occur only if eight or more teams register.
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.
FROM THE EAST COAST TO SANTE FE:
A PERSONAL BRIDGE JOURNEY
I was introduced to bridge while cutting "mandatory" chapel, a certain number of which were required to graduate Bucknell University (1956-60). I was armed with basic Goren, Stayman, Blackwood and a desire to improve. I got a REAL taste for the game while getting my MBA at Columbia (1961-63) and playing in REAL clubs in NYC against REAL talented players.
However, life got in the way for the next 45 years or so as getting married and having children compelled me to find daytime employment which precluded me from playing much bridge. I lived in Stamford, CT during that time and bridge was confined to an occasional game at night wherein, if I finished third, I could earn .07 masterpoints!
Pictured: Ken Hirshon, life master,
Sante Fe, NM.
UPCOMING
DISTRICT 17 REGIONAL S
CACTUS FLOWER
NON-LIFE MASTER REGIONAL
NOVEMBER 14 - 17, 2019
TUCSON, ARIZONA
Exclusively for non-life masters with less than 750 masterpoints, The Cactus Flower NLM Regional delivers the GOLD Thursday, November 14 through Sunday, November 17 at the Hotel Tucson City Center, Tucson, AZ.
Gold rush pairs finishing in the overalls (Stratification A) will be awarded 33 percent gold and 67 percent red masterpoints. NLM gold rush Sunday Swiss also pays 33 percent gold to overalls.
This energy-filled regional offers trophies, giveaways and hospitable touches such as complimentary coffee daily, lox, bagels, cream cheese and pastries each morning and premium candy each afternoon. Sunday lunch is free. 
Take advantage of free lectures by top local experts 12:30 pm Thursday - Saturday. Lunch is available onsite for a nominal fee. 
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 Cactus Flower NLM Regional offers gold and red points and the Tucson Fall Sectional offers silver points. 
Call the Hotel Tucson City Center today at 520-622-3000 to secure special room rates of $79 studio/king or two queens and $99 suite/king and two queens. Use booking code ABC.
Set in the Presidio Arts District, this straightforward hotel is conveniently located just off of I-10 and minutes from the Tucson International Airport. Free parking provided.
With an average temperature of 74 degrees and plenty of sunshine, November is a great time to sample the sites and the sounds that make Tucson THE place to be.
THE LAND OF ENCHANTMENT REGIONAL
JANUARY 20 - 26, 2020
ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO
Get ready to attend the Land of Enchantment Regional, January 20-26, 2020 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. 
This upbeat regional offers six days of GOLD rush, single-session 199’er pairs, two-session open pairs, KOs, bracketed and Swiss teams and more. 
Experience historic Old Town with its many art galleries, shops and cultural attractions, savor authentic New Mexico cuisine or ride the Sandia Peak Tramway to view the spectacular Rio Grande Valley. 
The Land of Enchantment Regional, formerly known as the Navajo Trail Regional, will be held at the Albuquerque Marriott Pyramid. Situated just off of I-25, this stylish hotel offers plenty of free parking, excellent service and free WiFi. Reserve your rooms before January 1, 2020 and receive the special bridge tournament rate of $114 per night. 
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 and cream cheese and pastries each morning and free premium candy each afternoon. A free lunch will be provided on Sunday. 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
JANUARY
CLICK ON THE *** NEXT TO
THE HOST CITY TO VIEW
TOURNAMENT FLYERS
NORTH AMERICAN BRIDGE CHAMPIONSHIPS
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
NOVEMBER 28-DECEMBER 8, 2019
Join the thousands of bridge lovers 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.
Ride the cable cars, see the Golden Gate Bridge, visit Alcatraz and experience the unique foods of the Bay City.
Two host hotels: Marriott Marquis on Mission Street and the Westin St. Francis on Powell Street.
There is something for everyone at the NABC SAN FRANCISCO.
WESTERN CONFERENCE HOLIDAY STaC
DECEMBER 9-15, 2019
ADD TO YOUR HOLIDAY CHEER AND
EARN SILVER IN DECEMBER RIGHT IN YOUR OWN CLUB!

CONTACT CLUBS TO FIND A QUALIFIER GAME NEW YOU.
For more information on District 17 activities go to d17acbl.org