District 17 BRIDGE BUZZ
September 2018
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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.
The ScoreCard
now has apps for both Apple and Android systems that streamline access from smartphones and tablets. Visit the Apple version or Play (Google) and load your free app today!
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Phoenix Desert Empire Regional
A Miracle in the Desert
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On Monday, August 13, the Phoenix Desert Empire Regional was poised to begin at the Talking Stick Resort, Scottsdale. The Unit 354 board, its volunteers and the directors were ready to go. Only the finishing touches remained. Unfortunately, mother nature intervened producing heavy monsoon rains. Talking Stick’s main generators and back-up generators malfunctioned and a complete loss of power across the property occurred. After some uncertainty, Talking Stick closed for business.
Against all odds, the Unit 354 board held its regional with the two larger Scottsdale clubs -- Bridge on Shea and In Tempo Bridge Center -- now set to host all games. Along with daily postings to the Unit 354 website, communication efforts began using ACBL Pianola and Constant Contact to inform players where to play and where to stay.
With spirits running high through both venues, the Unit 354 board, club owners/managers, countless volunteers and the directors worked tirelessly to produce a 1,352 table tournament with over 795 players earning over 8,300 masterpoints many of which were gold. It was truly a miracle in the desert.
“We want to thank all of the players who stuck with us to make our regional a success,” said JoAnne Lowe, tournament chair, Phoenix Desert Empire Regional. “We will be back at Talking Stick next August 12-18. We hope to see you all next year.”
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District 17 Grand National Teams Results are in!
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The results are in for the Grand National Teams finals held during the Summer Atlanta NABC, July 26 - August 5, 2018.
"Thank you and congratulations to all who competed in our District finals," said Bonnie Bagley, national board representative, ACBL. "This is our best finish ever and we are proud of you!"
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Qualifications for the District 17 2019 finals began September 1. Teams are forming now!
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CONGRATULATIONS to our very own Bobby Levin who was inducted into the
ACBL Hall of Fame at the Atlanta Summer NABC along with
Ralph Katz and Eric Rodwell.
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Robert O. Wingeard
What a Guy!
By Bonnie Bagley, national board representative, ACBL
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Unit 360 recently honored Robert O. Wingeard for his 40 years of non-stop dedication to growing and solidifying bridge in Colorado Springs, CO. Bob was also honored for becoming a Diamond Life Master. He is truly someone you should know.
Bob came to Colorado Springs, June 9, 1965 after growing up in Pennsylvania and proudly graduating from Purdue University. Since then, Bob has never looked back. He was Assistant Director of Operations Support at NORAD (North American Defense Command) and somehow, while working, Bob managed to serve as the District Director for D17 from 1990-1998, was Western Conference (WC) President from 1983-1984 and D17 President from 1976-1979.
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Bob served on the WC and D17 boards through his tenure on the National Board and he co-chaired the 2005 Fall Denver NABC.
For over five decades, Bob has served on the Unit 360 board and has recently become the Unit 360 historian. When he moved to Colorado Springs, bridge clubs were scattered throughout the city. Bob gathered a group of players and related how the Lancaster, PA unit had their own building where all the club games were played. “Wouldn’t it be great to do the same here?” asked Bob. After much cajoling and coordination, the club owners agreed and a core group supplied financial backing to secure a loan – the beginning.
The first game was held in the building in 1978 and the rest is history. Thanks to Bob, the Colorado Springs Unit 360 is thriving with games every day except Sunday. The Unit leases the building to a church Wednesday nights and Sundays to help pay off the mortgage and to pay back its donors.
How did Bob find time to play bridge? Well, he really didn't play very much, which is why he finally made Diamond Life Master. Bob is now retired and is playing more bridge. He’ll be an Emerald Life Master before we know it.
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Congratulations Bob and
thank you!
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UPCOMING DISTRICT 17 REGIONALS
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Pikes Peak Regional
Colorado Springs, CO
October 8-14, 2018
Play the Pikes Peak Regional and enjoy great bridge, incredible scenery and easy access to choice entertainment venues.
Conveniently located minutes from I-25 and the Colorado Springs Airport, the Pikes Peak Regional will be held at the newly renovated DoubleTree by Hilton Colorado Springs.
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Home to the 2018 D17 North American Pairs (NAP) finals, this upbeat regional offers a varied playing schedule that includes: KOs, Compact KOs, Swiss and bracketed teams, single-session open pair games, GOLD RUSH Tuesday-Friday and 199'er pair games.
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Don't miss free mini-lessons Tuesday - Friday 12:15 pm-12:45 pm by national champion and grand life master, Jacob Morgan.
Free coffee daily!
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Cactus Flower NLM Regional
Tucson, Arizona
November 8 - 11, 2018
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Exclusively for non-life masters with less than 750 masterpoints, The Cactus Flower NLM Regional delivers the gold Thursday, November 8 through Sunday, November 11 at the Hotel Tucson City Center, Tucson, AZ.
Gold rush pairs finishing in the overalls (Stratification A) will now be awarded 33 percent gold and 67 percent red masterpoints! NLM gold rush Sunday Swiss also pays 33 percent gold to overalls.
This upbeat regional offers prizes, trophies and 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 $89 for a single/double and $109 for a studio/suite using 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. Plenty of free parking and free WiFi 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 a must-see destination.
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Navajo Trail Regional
Albuquerque, New Mexico
January 21-27, 2019
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Get ready to attend the Navajo Trail Regional, January 21-27, 2019 in Albuquerque, New Mexico! From shopping in historic Old Town and savoring authentic New Mexico cuisine to visiting the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center or riding the tram, Albuquerque is a fun and an affordable destination.
The Navajo Trail Regional will again be held at the Albuquerque Marriott Pyramid located just off I-25 and featuring plenty of free parking, excellent service and free WiFi in every room.
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For your convenience, a lunch/snack bar will be available just outside of the playing area and complimentary desserts and discounted coffee will be provided daily.
The Navajo Trail Regional boasts a varied playing schedule that includes: six days of gold rush events, bracketed teams, Swiss teams, KOs, Board-A-Match, side games, open pairs, 199‘er pairs as well as A/X/Y strati-flighted Swiss and Bracketed 0-3000 Gold teams on Sunday.
As usual, must-have gifts and patches will be available at the hospitality desk and our famous partnership desk will find you a winning partner.
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Go for GOLD at the Tucson Winter Regional
February 25 - March 3, 2019
Tucson, Arizona
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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. Free ample parking provided.
Players will receive discounted rates at several nearby hotels many of which are within walking distance of the Tucson Expo Center.
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Packed full of team games, this tournament schedule includes: Five days of gold rush, KOs, including a Compact KO on Saturday, bracketed team games, Swiss, open pair and side games.
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.
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UPCOMING DISTRICT 17 SECTIONALS
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NOVEMBER
CLICK ON THE HOST CITY TO VIEW TOURNAMENT FLYERS
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Don't miss the Hawaii NABC in Honolulu
November 22 - December 2, 2018
Hilton Hawaiian Village, Waikiki Beach Resort
Make the Hawaii NABC an experience to remember.
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Summer Fun STaC XI
results are in!
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Don't miss your next opportunity to earn silver right in your own club!
MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR
HOLIDAY STaC
DECEMBER 3-9, 2018
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Attention North American Pairs Qualifiers!
The NAP 2018 District 17 finals will be held at the Pikes Peak Regional in Colorado Springs, CO. Flight B will be held Friday, October 12, while Flight A and Flight C will be held Saturday, October 13.
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To participate, you must have qualified in your club and be a paid up ACBL member.
The first three finishers will receive expense money to attend the National finals in Memphis, TN spring of 2019. The awards are $700 each for first, $300 each for second and $200 each for third
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For more information on District 17 activities go to
d17acbl.org
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