WHAT’S HAPPENING AT TBBC THE WEEK OF MARCH 27th

CONGRATULTAIONS  to our members who scored high in our district in last week’s ROYAL STAC GAMES.   Big winners were Sharon Meng Horton and Rahn Smith with a 70% winning 16 points, JEFF BROMLEY and ROGER SCALES scoring a 68% and winning 10.79 points and CARL DAHL and MASOOD KIZILBASH winning 5.41 points with a 67%.  The TAMPA BAY BRIDGE CLUB celebrates with you!!

The TBBC held our monthly Board of Directors meeting last week.  We unanimously selected JOHN RAINS as our APRIL MEMBER OF THE MONTH.  I think everyone is in agreement that John is an incredible asset to our club.  John is a practicing attorney and a longtime member of TBBC.  He is the ultimate gentleman and a pleasure to play with at the table.  John has been very generous to our club in numerous ways:  Mentoring newer players, graciously playing with visitors to our club, and lending his expertise to the BOD when we have reached out to him.  Again, Congratulations John!!!

APRIL SPECIAL EVENTS

UNIT 128 CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES

There will be Unit 128 Championship Pair Games on Monday April 10 and Wednesday April 19, both at 12:30.  There will be a Unit 128 Swiss Team Championship Game on Sunday April 23 at 1:30

MENTORING GAME - TUESDAY, APRIL 18

We will have a mentoring game on Tuesday, April 18 at 12:30.  Start lining up your mentor now and if you need help finding a mentor contact Larry Sullivan at lsullivan0422@gmail.com.  As always, the mentee should pay the game fee for themselves and their mentor.

ANNUAL JO ANN HAZEL MEMORIAL 9 DECADE GAME AND LUNCHEON - SATURDAY, APRIL 15

We will be celebrating our club members that are 90 years young….and up.  These special members will be our guests and play and eat for free on this day.   At 12:00, we will be serving a barbecue lunch for $5 per person.  If you plan to join us for lunch please sign up on the back bulletin board.  The game will begin at 12:30.

IMPORTANT SCHEDULE CHANGE:

Beginning in April we will no longer have a weekly Saturday game due to low attendance.  However, we will be holding a monthly Saturday special occasion game with a meal served prior to the game. The scheduled Saturday games are as follows:

SATURDAY APRIL 15 - JO ANN HAZEL MEMORIAL 9 DECADE GAME AND BARBECUE LUNCH

SATURDAY MAY 6 - CINCO DE MAYO GAME AND LUNCH

SATURDAY JUNE 24 - THE LONGEST DAY, 2 GAMES AND BREAKFAST AND LUNCH with proceeds benefitting the ALZHEIMER ASSOCIATION.

THURSDAY, INTERMEDIATE GAME, (0-999 points)

Our new intermediate game continues to grow.   If you have been considering coming to this game we want to encourage you to join us.  This past Thursday we had a nice turnout of 6 tables.  We had delicious snacks, a lesson by Larry at 12:00 noon prior to the game, and a relaxed and friendly game of good bridge.  Special shout out to ANN BARCLAY and JAN TUMBLESON for bringing the dessert and snacks this week.  Even if you do not have a partner feel free to come as we guarantee you will play.

On behalf of the Board of Directors we wish you a wonderful week and hope to see you at the club.  Good luck to those traveling to BOCA RATON for the regional tournament!!

Diane Landis

If you have not paid your 2023 TBBC dues you will now be charged non-member game fees, which are an additional $2.00.  If you are unsure if you have paid your 2023 TBBC dues the game director can check for you or contact Larry Sullivan LSullivan0422@gmail.com.

TBBC had a great week at the Regional Tournament in nearby Palmetto.  Many of our players did very well and three of our club members earned the rank of Life Master at the tournament.

 Congratulations to NANCY CHANGO, LESLIE OSTERWEIL AND LESLIE BALIS for making LIFE MASTER!….LESLIE BALIS also became a BRONZE LIFE MASTER …..

We would also like to congratulate our Founding Member, PAUL GALLIZZI for recently achieving SAPPHIRE LIFE MASTER!  

As a reminder, don’t forget this Thursday, March 2nd is now a Limited Game for all players with 0-999 points.  We are looking forward to a fun game with Larry directing. Even if you do not have a partner feel free to come and you are guaranteed to play.

Be sure to mark Monday March 6^th on your calendar.  ACBL Wide Senior Game at 12:30.

On behalf of the Board of Directors we wish you a wonderful week and hope to see you at the club!

Diane Landis

NEW: TBBC HOUSE PLAYERS!

The TAMPA BAY BRIDGE CENTER has recently implemented House Players.  There are several benefits of having a House Player:

1-- If you show up to play and your partner has an emergency and cancels at the last minute, you can play with the House Player.

2-- At game time, if there is a half table, the House Player can then play with the Director to prevent sit outs to benefit all of those attending that day.

The House Player always plays for free.  If the House Player does not end up playing, they receive a free play for a future game of their choice.  We currently have volunteers for House Players for all Open Games except for the second and fourth Fridays of the month.  We also have alternate House Players for some days.  If you are interested in being a House Player for the second and fourth Fridays, or being an alternate House Player, please contact Kim Koletic at kkoletic@verizon.net.

Our goal is to provide a pleasant playing experience for all of our members and guests and to enable our Directors to direct the games and ONLY play to prevent sit outs.

We have a regular schedule of games this week including on Saturday, December 31st, which is New Year’s Eve.  On behalf of the Board of Directors we wish you a very HAPPY NEW YEAR and health and happiness and lots of great bridge in 2023!

Diane Landis