District 17 BRIDGE BUZZ
SEPTEMBER 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, [email protected]
with feedback and content suggestions.

FROM HOSPICE TO HOME:
A STORY OF INSPIRATION
Due to the loving support of family, friends and the Colorado bridge community, Connie Robertson continues to play the game she enjoys with a renewed sense of hope for the future. 
“Connie, you have improved so much that hospice cannot renew your service.” Beautiful words to this 89-year-old woman who has had some serious medical issues. It started over a year ago...
Pictured left to right: Naomi Cartwright and John Wolf, Fort Collins, CO; Connie Robertson, Grand Lake, CO and Robyn Fleming, Fort Collins, CO.
(2015 D17 GNT Flight C.)
SUMMER WESTERN CONFERENCE STAC
RESULTS ARE IN!
Congratulations to the 8,100 plus players who earned over 15,695 masterpoints during the Western Conference Summer Fun STAC in August!
There was tight competition at the top with three District 17 players finishing first, second and third. Congratulations to Richard McCombs, Santa Fe, NM who earned 28.95 masterpoints, Darryl Depew, Henderson, NV who earned 26.41 masterpoints and Jerry Ruther, Santa Fe, NM who earned 26.40 masterpoints.  
Don’t miss your next chance to earn silver during the Western Conference Holiday STAC December 9-15, 2019. 
Check clubs for details.
UPCOMING
DISTRICT 17 REGIONAL S
TAOS REGIONAL
SEPTEMBER 23-29, 2019
TAOS, NEW MEXICO
By Winifred Stebbins
Tournament Chair

Join us in Taos, New Mexico for our fourth and best ever Taos Regional held at the Sagebrush Inn and Suites Hotel. 
For up-to-date hotel, inn and B&B availability and special rate options, please contact Emily Ray, (h) 575-613-7902 or (c) 214-534-5297. 
Or choose to stay at the Don Fernando de Taos, a Hilton property, just minutes from the host hotel. Single/double occupancy rooms are available for the special bridge rate of $114.
Late September is a wonderful time to be in Taos. Expect crisp, sunny weather and an awesome display of color washing over our stunning mountain scenery. Taos is also rich with history and has many wonderful restaurants, world famous galleries and fabulous shops. 
Of course, expect lots of good bridge and many opportunities to earn gold in five gold rush events held in the morning and the afternoon, five bracketed teams events and Sunday gold teams. This is in addition to KOs, single-session Swiss, single-session 299’er games, open pair and side games.   
 

Partners are guaranteed, and if you give our partnership desk lead time they will be sure to find you a good match. Contact Dennis Scott, [email protected] or call 575-224-1055. He is ready to assist you. 
Our signature hospitality includes complimentary snacks and refreshments in the ballroom. A varied daily lunch can be purchased onsite Tuesday through Sunday for only $10. 
Prizes are awarded in all events. All participants will receive a souvenir of Taos, and every player with fewer than 300 masterpoints will receive two. 
If you would like personalized entry labels waiting for you when you arrive, please pre-register by emailing your name and ACBL number to [email protected]
There is plenty of free parking, so we hope to see you at our regional! 
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 -
[email protected] 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.  
UPCOMING DISTRICT 17 SECTIONALS
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER
NOVEMBER

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.
ATTENTION
NORTH AMERICAN PAIRS QUALIFIERS!
The District 17 NAP Flight B and C championships will be held September 27 and 28 at the Taos Regional. The District Flight A championships will now be held at the Albuquerque Regional 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.
MAKE YOUR PLANS TODAY!
For more information on District 17 activities go to d17acbl.org