WELCOME VISITORS

Our website has all the information you need about the duplicate bridge community in the Coachella Valley, from Palm Springs to Indio.  Please use the page links on the left side of our home page to navigate the website.

Jane Patchett, a well-known and well-loved leader in our desert bridge community as a player, teacher and director, lost her battle with cancer on July 29 at the age of 89.   After a career in telecommunications which started in St. Louis, she and her husband bought a small resort outside Branson Missouri.  Luckily for us, she came west to visit her sister and stayed!  

Jane's gift, working with new bridge players, is legendary.  She taught privately and then incorporated the 'newbie' into games she hosted at her home in preparation for the world of competitive bridge.  She also directed the Saturday morning games for newer players at the Duncan Bridge Center, and gave much-needed advice and assistance to many uncertain and questioning 0-20 players who are forever grateful for her kindness.  Beyond that, Jane was someone who could always be counted on to volunteer - at every sectional in whatever role she was needed, and at the Palm Springs Regional from 2012-2018 as Miss Information!  She was a fun-loving person who brought smiles to all those around her.

A widow, Jane had moved to Claremont several years ago to care for her sister.  We convey our sympathies to all of Jane's many friends and her family.

What is a NAP Qualifying Game, you ask?  The North American Pairs is an annual ACBL-sponsored competition that begins with players qualifying in a local club game designated as a "Qualifying" game.  Qualifying is fairly easy - finishing in the top half, or with a score of 50% or better usually is sufficient - look for a "Q" in the final posted scores or check the ACBL website here.  Anyone who qualifies in Flight A, B, or C (flights are based on current MPs - A: unlimited, B: up to 2500, C: non-life master under 500) is eligible to compete in the District 22 NAP Finals.  The top finishers there are then qualified to enter the National NAP Finals at the Spring NABC tournament in New Orleans in March 2023, and will receive cash travel stipends from ACBL, D-22, and Unit 533 to offset travel expenses incurred going to New Orleans.

Check with your local club directors to find out when qualifying games will be held.  Both online and face-to-face games can be designated as qualifying games.

Participate in this annual competion and you could end up representing our Unit and District in New Orleans,
and enjoy a fun-filled trip to the Big Easy, paid for in part by our ACBL organizations!

Congrats to Our July 25th
Unit Game Winners!

Duncan Bridge Center

1st Overall - Mick Riccio & Bob Price, N/S
1st E/W - Todd Blum & Sally Slater
Complete results:  Click here

It was great fun to see friends and play face-to-face!

Our next Unit Game in Clubs is Friday, August 26th

2021 ANNUAL AWARD WINNERS

On Sunday, March 27th, at the Duncan Bridge Center, over 100 of our players participated in the Royal STaC Game and honored our 2021 Annual Awards winners. The Awards included the Mini-McKenney and Helen Shanbrom Ace of Clubs, as well as our Volunteer of the Year and the Barbara Sonsini Memorial Award

2021 Mini-McKenney and Ace of Clubs Awards:

0-5 MPs - James Lockwood
5-20 MPs - A. Colin Stancliffe*
20-50 MPs - Ron Hinton*
50-100 MPs - Donna Cox
100-200 MPs - Kathleen Barr*
200-300 MPs - Gina Marlin
300-500 MPs - Pieter Bax (AofC) & Marty Frank (M-M)
500-1000 MPs - Chip Graves
1000-1500 MPs - Bob Wernick*
1500-2500 MPs - Lou Goldsmith*
2500-3500 MPs - David Kane
3500-5000 MPs - Valerie Aron
5000-7500 MPs - Marty Blain
7500-10,000 MPs - David Segal
>10,000 MPs - John Wittes (AofC) & Ross Grabel (M-M)
*Also #1 in all of District 22 in their respective categories!

Click here for the origin and history of the Mini-McKenney Awards, and Click here for the origin and history of the Ace of Clubs Awards

Pictured above: Ross Grabel, Marty Blain, James Lockwood, David Kane, Bob Wernick, Lou Goldsmith

Unit 533's Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Bev Hartin. Bev has been unselfish in her commitment to sanctioned duplicate bridge in the Coachella Valley. She served as Unit 533 Secretary in 2009-10.  As Bev led the efforts to establish the Duncan Bridge Center, she continued to support Unit activities and initiatives. She was appointed to the District Goodwill Committee in 2010 and the National Goodwill Committee in 2018. Her involvement and leadership in the Coachella Valley Bridge Foundation is an important legacy: board member for more than eleven years, and president for over seven years. Most recently, you can find Bev in her lovely home mentoring newer players on BBO, or at the tables face to face. Thank you Bev!

Bev Hartin

The Barbara Sonsini Memorial Award went to Norman Isaacs. This Award honors the top MP winner among 0-499er players at the Palm Springs Regional

AND CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ROYAL STaC GAME WINNERS!

Open Game

1st Overall - Tom & Anne Lund, E/W Sec A
1st N/S Sec A - Carol Van Court & Steve Goldstein
1st N/S Sec B - Diana Seeb & Debbie Bolduc
1st E/W Sec B - Theodora Friedman & Teri Bratt

499er Game

1st Overall - Ron & Lorraine Berube
2nd Overall - Dave Colburn & Keith King

Click here for complete game results

For Royal STaC results, Click here
(Several of our players won extra MPs!)

THANKS TO ALL WHO ATTENDED!

2022

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Our District 22 Labor Day Regional

XXX-Has been canceled-XXX

September 5 - 11

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Ventura Halloween Regional

Ventura Beach Marriott

October 24 - 30

Click here for the Flyer

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N A B C
North American Bridge Championships

Fall 2022

November 24 - December 4

Phoenix, Arizona

Click here for complete tournament info

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Palm Springs Regional

Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa

December 12 - 18

Click here for the Flyer