The Star Thrower Story

Thousands of star fish are washed up on a beach. A small boy begins to throw them back into the water. A man laughs at his efforts and tells him that there are miles of beaches and he cannot possibly make a difference. The small boy throws another star fish into the water and says - “it made a difference to that one”.

Written by Loren Eiseley (1907-1977). He was an American anthropologist, educator, philosopher and natural science writer.

That is just my thumbnail sketch of the Star Thrower Story. I am sure many of you are familiar with it. It reminds me that no matter how small a contribution is offered, it can make a difference and that spirit is needed in the bridge community today. Now more than ever!

The Albuquerque Land of Enchantment Regional took place in January and it was an absolutely delightful tournament! It was good to see it return and the attendees enjoyed the fantastic hospitality orchestrated by the local tournament committee. The volunteers and directing staff were fantastic.

D17 Regionals need your support too. The next one is in Tucson, February 28 to March 4. Perhaps you will consider joining us. 

D17 has a lot of volunteers who make a difference. It would be impossible to mention them all individually, but they are all needed and appreciated. To all of the D17 teachers out there - thank you! You are an important part of our efforts to grow our membership. While in Albuquerque, my path crossed with an inspirational teacher, Christopher Dorton. 

He has been teaching in Colorado for many years and his passion is infectious. I know he is making a difference in every class he teaches - as many of you are doing too. Thank you for taking time to share your thoughts with me Christopher.

D17 licenses courseware for introductory lessons and you can find out all about it by contacting Sharon Smith our D17 Education Liaison. Her contact information is on the

D17 website:  www.d17acbl.org.

In 2023, our grant program will be restructured and you will be hearing about that from your District Representative. It is going to focus more on education and membership building. 

This year a total of four STaC games will be offered. Two standard STaCs and two Royal STaCs. Check with your local clubs for these special events. 



Some D17 players will represent us at the NABC in New Orleans playing in the North American Pairs Finals. Go D17! Qualifying games are underway for the GNTs (Grand National Teams). The District Finals for all flights below the Championship Flight will take place at the Denver Regional that begins in May. Again, all the information can be found on our website and in the BUZZ. Make a difference and participate with us - if possible. There is a lot of fun to be had by players of all levels in these activities.

The next NABC in D17 will take place in Las Vegas in the fall of 2024. Start planning to join us there. A dedicated Tournament Committee is being assembled to bring you the very best bridge experience for players of all levels. Fun times ahead. Stay tuned.

As you can tell, the D17 board, tournament volunteers, teachers, directors and club managers are planning a lot for 2023 and beyond. May the cards fall in your favor. Please keep sharing your thoughts with us.

By Don Boyarsky and Wayne Eckerling

Tournament Co-chairs

Don’t miss Denver's Rocky Mountain Regional May 23-29 (Memorial Day) at the Renaissance Denver Central Park Hotel by Marriott. The Renaissance Hotel is conveniently located between Denver International Airport and downtown Denver in the redeveloped Central Park area. The bridge rate of $120 is good through May 1.

PLAY IN THE PRO/AM PAIRS EVENT

The regional kicks off with a Pro/Am pairs event Tuesday, May 23 at 1 pm - THE LARGEST IN THE COUNTRY! Ams with five to 299 MPs who wish to play with an advanced player defined as a pro may participate. Pros play for free. The Pro/Am pairs sign up deadline is

May 12.

The presentation of the Jan Janitschke award, recognizing an individual displaying outstanding teaching or mentoring contributions to the membership of Denver Bridge Unit 361 is scheduled. The event will be followed by a reception and overall AM winners will receive prizes. 

HOME OF THE D17 GRAND NATIONAL TEAMS FINALS

We are honored to once again host the D17 Grand National Teams (GNT) Finals for Flights A, B and C. These games will be held Saturday, May 27 and Sunday, May 28.

TOURNAMENT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

D17, Denver Unit 361 and the Renaissance Central Park Hotel will take many precautions to ensure a safe playing environment for all attendees. The Regional will comply with ACBL Safety Protocols and the City of Denver requirements. If you did not play in the Rocky Mountain Regional or a Denver Unit 361 Sectional in 2022, please send proof of vaccination to [email protected] or show proof at the tournament site. For those who did play in one of these events, your proof of vaccination is already on file. Check the Unit 361 website for specific information. Read more...

By JoAnne Lowe

Tournament Chair

Looking for GOLD? Join us for the 6th Annual Phoenix NLM Gold Rush Regional April 28 – 30. Compete only against other Non-Life Masters with fewer than 750 masterpoints.

There are two days of 2-session Gold Rush Pairs that pay Gold points. Sunday is the Gold Rush Swiss Teams.

Gold Rush Pairs or teams that finish in the overalls (Stratification A) will be awarded 33 percent Gold and 67 percent Red masterpoints!

Participants will receive a free patch, and prizes will be awarded to section top and to overall winners.

Don’t miss free lectures by local experts Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Sunday's lecture will focus on team strategies.

Enjoy complimentary coffee, tea and chocolates daily.



Our new site, Fountain Hills Community Center, has great lighting, free parking and is easily accessible. There are many affordable lunch and dining options within walking distance. A hotel is nearby.

The Silver Sun Sectional is running concurrently with the NLM Regional, so you can travel with more experienced bridge friends who can participate in their own events at the same time. Participants in the Sectional can play a 2-session team or a single-session pair game on Friday. There are pair games on Saturday and team games on Sunday. Regardless of your skill level, there are events for you to play in. We look forward to seeing you in April! 

Mark your calendar to play in the Taos Regional, September 25 - October 1, at the iconic Sagebrush Inn and Suites.

Great hospitality, many opportunities to earn Gold, and special programs and prizes for new and intermediate players, make this a tournament you won’t want to miss.

D17 has a STaC program independent of other Districts. The 2023 lineup includes four STaCs.

The Winter Wonderland STaC took place January 30 - February 5. 3,566.64 masterpoints were earned by 1,666 D17 players.

There were 1,223 tables in play with 53 clubs participating -- an increase of over 50% when compared to the Winter Wonderland STaC held just last year.

Remaining STaCs for 2023 include two Royal STaCs and one standard STaC:

• June 5-11 - Summer Fun Royal STaC
• Sept. 11-17 - Autumn Leaves STaC
• Nov. 6-12 - Wishbone Royal STaC

A Royal STaC deviates from a standard STaC in that players can earn 25% Silver, 25% Gold, 25% Red and 25% Black masterpoints instead of all Silver points.  

Check with your local club director to ensure that they are participating in the games that you want to play in. 

For details contact Bonnie Bagley, STaC Coordinator, [email protected]

Wow! The Fall NABC is coming to Las Vegas, NV, November 28 - December 8, 2024.

Affordable room rates at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino, convenient access to the strip via the Westgate Monorail and guaranteed fun on and off the bridge table make this an NABC to attend! 

Play in NABC Vegas fundraising games held virtually on BBO May 15 -21, 2023 and be part of the team that makes hospitality in Vegas absolutely fantastic! 

Save the dates and the Tournament Committee and ACBL will keep you posted on the details! 

Good luck to the D17 NAP Finalists scheduled to compete in the National Finals held during the NABC in New Orleans.

FLIGHT A:

1 -  Joshua Donn and Sheri Winestock,

Las Vegas. 

2 - Valentin Kovachev, Las Vegas and Douglas Fjare, Estes Park, CO.

3 - Shirley Scott and Judy Hummel, Colorado Springs, CO.

FLIGHT B:

1 - Shendi and Chen Young, Henderson, NV. 

2 - Greg Bohn and Renee Hall, Las Vegas.

FLIGHT C:

1 - Jonathan Dings and Elizabeth Cole, Boulder, CO.

2 - Deborah Coffrin and Albert Coffrin, Santa Fe, NM. 

3 - Donna Agee, Centennial, CO and Jean Sundling, Denver, CO.

For more details contact Lakin Hines, D17 NAP Coordinator, [email protected]

Created in 1984, the Ace of Clubs Races recognize ACBL members who earn the most MPs during club sanctioned events (excluding NAP/GNTs qualifiers and STaCs) during a calendar year. Only Black points are counted.

There are 15 race categories ranging from 0-5 MPs to 10,000+. Players are placed in a category based on his/her MP totals at the beginning of a given year.



In 2011, the Ace of Clubs award was named after Helen Shanbrom, the most successful club player in ACBL history.

There are 15 race categories ranging from 0-5 MPs to 10,000+. A player is placed in a category based on his/her MP totals at the beginning of a given year.

This race is named after William E. McKenney. His originality, drive and organizational ability did much to establish ACBL. McKenney was ACBL’s first executive secretary and remained at the helm until 1947.

The Mini – McKenney Masterpoint Races recognize the ACBL members who earn the most MPs in sanctioned tournaments and clubs (excluding NAP/GNTs qualifiers and STaCs) within a calendar year.

ANITA MCCLINTOCK

(Not pictured)

UNIT 354, SCOTTSDALE, AZ