The District 17 Bridge Buzz focuses on district and national news and provides you with the links to access the details. Catch the next Buzz July 2023.

Contact Cindy Shoemaker, editor, [email protected] with feedback and content suggestions.

"As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands - one for helping yourself, the other for helping others."

This is a quote attributed to Audrey Hepburn, 1929 to 1993. She was a British actress and humanitarian recognized as a film and fashion icon. During her career as a humanitarian, she served as the Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF from 1989 to 1993.

In this issue of the BUZZ, you will read about several Goodwill Ambassadors nominated to the D17 Goodwill Committee. They are truly an asset to our bridge community. Thank you for all you do!

D17 relies on volunteers to thrive. Can you think about using your second hand to join us? Your talents are needed at the unit and district level. 

There is always a place for a new player on our teams. Bridge players always have three hands. The two we are talking about and the one being held at the table. Hopefully, you are having lots of fun with the third, whether you are playing online or face-to-face.

The Tucson Winter Regional was a great success. Your next opportunity for Regional fun will be at Denver's Rocky Mountain Regional. The D17 Board will be meeting there. We look forward to seeing you at the table.

Don’t miss Denver's Rocky Mountain Regional at the Renaissance Denver Central Park Hotel by Marriott. The Renaissance Hotel is located between Denver International Airport and downtown Denver. Room bridge rate: $120.

GREAT SCHEDULE

• Soloway KOs, KOs, bracketed teams, Swiss teams, Board-A-Match teams and pair games. 

• Gold Rush and single-session pair games for players with than 300 MPs.

• A/X/Y Swiss Teams and bracketed Gold Teams for players with fewer than 3,000 MPs on Monday, May 29. Lunch available for $10.

• D17 Grand National Teams Finals - Flights A, B and C - Saturday, May 27 and Sunday, May 28.

• Pro/Am pairs Tuesday, May 23 at 1 pm. Ams with five to 299 MPs who wish to play with an advanced players defined as a pro with 1,500+ MPs may participate. Pros play free. Sign-up deadline: May 12.

• PROOF OF VACCINATION IS NOT REQUIRED AT THIS REGIONAL.

• View tournament flyer.

• Find partnerships.

PRO/AM PAIRS EVENT SIGN-UP

By Bonnie Bagley

GNT Coordinator

[email protected]

The D17 GNT Championship Flight Final was held April 6 and 7 on BBO. Five teams entered, the most in many years.

There were two Arizona teams, one New Mexico team, one Colorado team and one Colorado/Las Vegas team.

The 28-board final was an exciting one with the Colorado/Las Vegas team of Doug Fjare, Val Kovachev, Anne Brenner and David Caprera winning by ONE IMP.

The Arizona team of Ken Titow, Harvinder Sidhu, Bruce Silverstein, Markland Jones, Perry Van Hook and Robb Gordon made the final an exciting one.

Gook luck to the CO/LV winning team who will represent D17 at the National GNT Finals held during the summer NABC in Chicago.

Val Kovachev and Doug Fjare

David Caprera and Anne Brenner

The D17 GNT Flights A, B and C Finals will be held at Denver’s Rocky Mountain Regional May 27 and 28. Pre-registration is required! All teams must pre-register no later than May 15, 2023. Teams may be composed of any eligible player who is an ACBL member in good standing and a D17 member. 

The team captains for Flights A and B must mail the team roster that includes the name and ACBL numbers of all team members and a check made payable to District 17 for the first two sessions of play which totals $120/$60 per session to: Bonnie Bagley, 7285 Ross Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80920. 

D17 waives the entry fee for Flight C. The Flight C team captains may email the team roster to: [email protected]. 

By JoAnne Lowe

Tournament Chair

[email protected]

Unit 354 invites you to attend the 2023 Phoenix Desert Empire Regional, August 14-20 at the Talking Stick Resort and Casino, Scottsdale, AZ. We appreciate your support, hope you win points and have a great time!

GREAT ROOM RATES

Book your rooms before July 28 to receive room rates of only $109/night. You will not be charged for daily resort fees. Free WiFi and complimentary self and valet parking daily.

To make your reservations, click the box below or phone 480-270-5555 -- toll free 866-877-9897. Use booking code 17686 or “Desert Empire Regional.”

Talking Stick, a four diamond resort, is a cultural and entertainment destination. It offers six unique onsite dining experiences to fit your budget and your taste, including the award-winning Orange Sky Restaurant. Just minutes from the resort, experience outstanding shopping at the Scottsdale Fashion Square or visit the Desert Botanical Garden or the OdySea Aquarium.

A GAME FOR EVERYONE

With convenient start times of 10 am and 3 pm, the Phoenix Desert Empire Regional boasts a varied playing schedule:

• Soloway KOs, four days of bracketed teams, five days of stratified open pairs and gold rush pairs.

• Five days of 299er pairs that ACBL members with less than 10 points play for FREE!

• Monday has evening games that begin at 7 pm. 

• Free lectures by top experts Tuesday - Saturday between sessions.

GIFTS, PRIZES AND MORE 

The registration deck is the hub for many activities. Enjoy a bite of chocolate, ask questions or check the speaker schedule. Register to receive a convention card holder, our Kokopelli patch and a $5 voucher to use at the concession stand. Also, $3 coupons will be given to players during the week. Random draw gifts will be given daily. 

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.

MAY

05-07 Longmont (Boulder), CO (Open)

05-07 Santa Fe, NM (Open)

JUNE

02-04 Albuquerque, NM (Open)

05-11 D17 STaC

June 9-11 Durango, CO (Open)

June 23-24 Fort Collins, CO (Local)

June 23-25 Sedona, AZ (Open)

JULY

07-09 Denver, CO (Open + I/N Regional)

28-30 Eagle, CO (Open)

A talented tournament committee is working to bring you bridge events for all levels of play - exciting free learning opportunities and outstanding hospitality. Come join us!

Tournament Co-chairs: Liz Hamilton and Rolf Houtkooper

Publicity: Cindy Shoemaker

Treasurer: Brian Marsh

I/N Chairs: Toby McEvoy and Chris Hahn

Welcome Chair: Leila Huff

Contact: Liz Hamilton: [email protected] or 415-994-3527.

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

Jackie Haugen

Northern AZ Unit 355

Nominated by Bill Phillips

At the height of Covid, Jackie recognized the need for someone to lead the Sedona Bridge Club. Read more.

Maria Davis

Mesa Unit 351

Nominated by Lakin Hines

Maria's ongoing dedication to teaching new players is invaluable to the future of bridge.

Read more.

Carol Urban

Phoenix Unit 354

Nominated by JoAnne Lowe

Carol is an outgoing, cheerful player and volunteer. She is a Unit 354 board member recently elected to a second term. Read more.

Doug Cain

Tucson Unit 356

Nominated by Cindy Shoemaker

Doug is the Tucson Unit 356 Partnership Chair and a newly elected Unit 356 board member. He is a proactive, kind and dedicated volunteer. Read more.

Linda Nicholos

Colorado Springs Unit 360

Nominated by Bill Curtis

Linda has served on the Unit 360 board for six years as treasurer. Her financial skills provided a sound financial foundation for the unit during a major IRS audit and the COVID-19 epidemic. Read more.

Julie Clark

Denver Unit 361

Nominated by Jennifer O'Neill

When D17 resumed face-to-face regionals the fall of 2021, Julie not only came to play - she came to volunteer - and to support other unit boards within D17. Read more.

Brian Marsh

Las Vegas Unit 373

Nominated by Liz Hamilton

Brian was introduced to bridge by Toby McEvoy and Chris Hahn in March of 2019. Three months later, Brian played in the NABC in Las Vegas. Read more.

John Keck

Albuquerque Unit 374

Nominated by Neil Hunter

John is a director at Duke City Bridge Club, Albuquerque, and is dedicated to keeping bridge alive! Read more.

Cara-lyn Lappen

Colorado West Unit 364

Nominated by Sharon Smith

Cara-lyn loves bridge and wants others to love it too. She is patient and encouraging and can explain things at any level. Read more.

Ella Duncan

El Paso Unit 159

Nominated by Steve Nordberg

Ella is a Ruby Life Master and she plays competitively every week even at 100 years old. Read more.

By Sharon Smith

D17 Education Chair

[email protected]

NiteClub News

District 20 has joined Districts 17, 19, 21, 22 and 23 to offer 12-board games for players with up to 200 points, every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. These games are followed by a post-game analysis on Zoom hosted by our districts’ finest teachers! These games are a wonderful opportunity for newer players to enjoy a great game with their peers. Look for the virtual club games under our new Virtual club number: VACB904227.

D17 Bridge Class News

There are many wonderful D17 teachers offering bridge classes. Take a look at the Find A Class Calendar on the D17 website: d17acbl.org/find-a-class. 

Teachers, please keep me apprised of your class schedules and I will keep the calendar current.

D17 Courseware

D17 has renewed its license for the Patty Tucker Bridge in a Day curriculum and the follow-up series. There are active annual and biannual BIAD offerings in the District. Consider a Bridge In A Day program to bring new players to your club.

ACBL members receive masterpoints for winning and placing in club games and tournaments as they strive to advance through the ranks. There are 16 ranks, from Junior Master (5 masterpoints) to Grand Life Master (10,000 masterpoints plus a victory in an eligible North American Bridge Championship). Learn rank qualifications.

Cathrine Currie, Unit 374

Rio Rancho, NM

Michelle Harlow, Unit 364

Durango, CO

Jane Jeffords, Unit 383

Santa Fe, NM

(Also bronze life master)

Arlo McDowell, Unit 356

Tucson, AZ

(Also bronze life master)

Bob Roman, Unit 361

Castle Pines, CO

Jody Wyss, Unit 360

Monument, CO

(Also bronze life master)

Linda Bechky, Unit 356

Tucson, AZ

NOT PICTURED

• Donna Agee, Unit 361, Centennial, CO

• Christine Dyer, Unit 354, Paradise Valley, AZ (Also bronze life master)

• Mary Lunne, Unit 356, Tucson, AZ (Also bronze life master)

• Linda Meininger, Unit 363, Fort Collins, CO