Thank you, Elspeth!
On Thursday night the club recognised one of our longest serving committee members, Elspeth Goodrick, thanking her for her time on the committee, and the many years during which has served as treasurer and auditor. Elspeth can’t remember exactly how many years she has held these posts, but her time on the committee goes back the early 90s (she started young).
Rotorua Bridge Club is lucky to have the services of members like Elspeth, who work efficiently behind the scenes to ensure the club runs smoothly, and at this time as she is standing down, would like to show appreciation for all her hard work.
Tournament successes
Paul Rogers and Liz Wilcox were 5th in the Te Awamutu Christmas Tournament on Saturday 17 November. They were 1st N/S in the morning and 3rd N/S in the afternoon with very consistent scores in the mid 50s. Liz and Paul were also the top Intermediate/Open pair overall. Leonie Pritchard and Mark Bendall (pictured right) finished among the prizewinners in …
Rotorua players at Congress 2018
The annual Bridge Congress in Hamilton took place last week, and although there were not a lot of Rotorua players taking part, those that were there had some notable success. Marie Milsum teamed up with her former long-time partner at Rotorua, Alison Beer, and they showed that they are still a force to be reckoned with, winning the Open Swiss Pairs.
Alison and Marie, winners of the Open Swiss pairs.
Pam and Ian Moore had a very successful Congress, being runners-up in the Senior Teams, and coming fourth in the Senior Pairs. They also won a special award as they for best team on Day One that did not qualify for the final of the Open teams. And Liz and Michael Wilcox were fourth from a large field in the Open Restricted Pairs. Well done to all who played in the Congress.
Ian and Pam Moore, along with team members Noel Woodhall and Ian Clayton, and Allan Morris chairman of NZ Bridge second from left, receiving their prize for being the top team on Day One of NZ Open teams who did not qualify for Round of 16. They were 3rd overall on Day One.
Ruth – NZ Bridge Volunteer of the Month
Congratulations to Ruth Lewis, who has very deservedly been named as NZ Bridge’s Volunteer of the Month for August 2018.
Ruth has been a member of the Rotorua Bridge Club for well over thirty years. During that time she was on the committee for nearly thirty years including two terms as President, has directed Wednesday night bridge and took the beginners’ lessons for ten years.
Ruth is probably best known throughout the North Island as the organiser of Rotorua Bridge Club’s Christmas tournament which had been extraordinarily popular for seventeen years. With her band of elves, they create a Christmas extravaganza which includes the finest Christmas quilts, glorious decorations, a delicious Christmas dinner and generous prizes. There is often a waiting list to fill the 39 tables available for players of all grades.
However, her quiet commitment to dealing boards for all the events at the club is remarkable. Week in week out, for approximately 14 years the boards are ready for each session regardless of whether Ruth is away on holiday or has family commitments.
It is people like Ruth Lewis who ensure a club functions well and has events of which we can be proud, so it is great that the club can show her some recognition in this way.
Big win for Mary Dravitzki in Wellington
Mary’s win in the Intermediate Teams in the Wellington Congress was made all the sweeter because she was not selected for the family team to play in it (Neil just made the cut with the lowest rating points in team), so she asked the organisers to pair her up to play in the intermediate section and they found a very compatible partner.
The flash family team started both competitions well but faded and finished in the top third but no prizes.
However Mary was made captain of her team and even though they had not met each other before they were leading narrowly going into the last round – four teams within four victory points.
Daughter Pam gave her the mantra ABCD (Alert, Bold, Confident & Disciplined) and she made a big contribution to their ultimate win with hand seven (see below).
She decided to upgrade her twenty one count from a natural two no trump to a game forcing two club. A three diamond response from partner showing seven plus points and five diamonds – then four clubs – one ace – five clubs – one king and (every imp counts) – six no trumps. On the lead of the ten of diamonds twelve tricks were cold after forcing out the ace of spades. Of the ten tables – only one other in six no trumps and one in six diamonds – the other seven including the other pair just in game so a 13 imp pick up and they won by just three imps.
Success in Northland
Marie and Alison
On January 6th and 7th Kerikeri hosted a two day event sponsored by Craigs Investment Partners. Marie Milsum teamed up with her partner of old, ex-Rotorua player Alison Beer to play in this and they won the Bay Of Isands’ Holiday Pairs, held on the Sunday, (as well as being also runners-up in the Swiss Pairs on the Saturday), rounding off the day with a whopping 71.27% !
Many people from all over the country attended this popular event, so well done to Marie and Alison! Obviously distance hasn’t affected their partnership.
Prizegiving 2017
Christmas Tournament 2017
Employment Appointment
Carola Gohring has been appointed to the Cleaning Role at our Club, effective from last week. Carola is one of our members and will continue the responsibilities that Regina and Joe Van Der Sluis had in this role. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Regina and Joe for their commitment to the cleaning role over the …
News from Congress
Congratulations to Liz and Michael Wilcox who came second in the NZ Open Restricted Pairs at the NZ Bridge Congress being held in Hamilton. A great result from a field of 62 pairs from throughout the country. Well done!
Fun and fashion at the Cambridge Sixes
Dashing 1920s style and some black magic and sorcery were on show when the Rotorua teams competed in the Cambridge Sixes Tournament on Saturday 12 August.
The event, held at the Karapiro Convention Centre, is now the largest one day tournament in NZ, the fun formula of great bridge, trivia and some old fashioned fun of dress up and spot prizes proving very popular. Each team consists of an Open, Intermediate and Junior pair, which makes it a great way for players at different stages of their bridge to join together, and this year there was a total of 44 teams of 6, the largest field ever.
The Geyser Squad finished 12th out of 44, with the Open pair of Ian and Pam Moore coming 5th in their grade. The other Rotorua team, The Sulphur City Scorcerers comprising Heini Lux and Alan Dick, Leonie Pritchard and Mark Bendall, Maggie and Peter Bentley finished 27th overall – the Bentleys came 13th in the Junior grade which was an excellent result in such a big tournament.
It was a great day for all with fantastic food, prizes and raffles.
Support our Sponsors
Here is Pam Moore’s experience:
Recently Ian and I decided to sell a rental property we have owned for twenty years. Having enjoyed Scratchies, bidding pads and pens at our bridge club supplied by Stu Phillips, we decided to offer Stu our property to market and hopefully sell.
The house went under contract (at a premium price) a day after it went on the market and three weeks later became unconditional. There were a few minor bumps along the way, which Stu dealt with positively, knowledgeably and with good humour. All my overreactive phone calls were dealt with respectfully and patiently.
So if you’re looking to buy or sell your property- the Moore’s advice is -call Stu. 021 780 785
Extra bonus: we had $1000 worth of free advertising which also worked in our favour to sell the house.
New club Grand Master
Congratulations to Pam Moore, who has recently been named a Grand Master and has joined a select group of Rotorua players, past and present to attain that status. Even rarer is to have a husband and wife who are both Grand Masters, as Ian and Pam now are.
They are two of four current club Grand Masters, the others being Neil Dravitzki and Tom Winiata. (Please let me know if I’ve missed any).
Previous Grand Master couples in the club include Ian and Cynthia Clayton, and Bruce and Merle Marr.
Pam and Ian Moore showing her recently awarded certificate.
Volunteer of the Month – Heini
NZ Bridge have this year instigated a Volunteer of the Month Award and our very own Heini Lux is this month’s recipient. Heini has been a member of the Rotorua Club for over 30 years. He has been President, is currently a Vice President and has served on the committee for many years. His work for the club has included …