SUNSHINE BRIDGE NEWS – MARCH/APRIL 2008

Shirley Seals, District 9 Director

2007 WAS A VERY GOOD YEAR FOR BRIDGE!!!

*Membership increased by approximately 1,000 members and the number of active unpaid Life Masters only increased by 21, a very significant number.

*Tournament tables –Regionals, Sectionals, StaCs and NABC’s) surpassed the high mark set in 2004 in spite of 5,000 fewer NABC tables. Total 439,476.

*Regional table counts were particularly impressive, topping 176,000 tables,

the third highest total on record.

LAS VEGAS NABC:

The Las Vegas NABC (this year held from July 17 – 27) at the Las Vegas Hilton is the most popular National held by the ACBL. I know many of you are planning to attend.

The local tournament committee has opted for 24 board sessions for all Regionally rated events. Perhaps the thinking is that players will have more time to eat and gamble.

EDUCATION:

The teacher manuals for the first three courses (Bidding, Play of Hand, Defense) are all available for free—download at the ACBL website. The contents for all three texts have been sent to Baron Barclay for printing and the first two texts are now available.

YOUTH NABC -ATLANTA – JULY 2008

The National Open Pairs at the first Youth NABC in Atlanta has a sponsor. Baron Barclay Bridge Supply is providing $2,000 in scholarship funds to the winner of the pairs event. More information is available on the ACBL website.

CLUB GAMES – 2007

The final reported numbers for sanctioned games held at clubs will be in excess of three million tables. This will be the first time ACBL has reached this level.

I hope to see many of you at the DETROIT NABC beginning March 6.

All events will be played at the Marriott hotel located at the Renaissance Center.

Shirley Seals