My Experience at Nationals in Louisville
by Christopher Egan
It has been a pleasure to meet and compete with many of you at the bridge table these past eighteen months. Many of you suggested that I would find success at the national bridge tournament. Unfortunately, I did not play well, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a good story to share.
My wife traveled with me, and Louisville being a convenient location, my daughter took a holiday weekend from her studies at WKU to join us. After family dinner on Friday, we do what we do which is to enjoy time together with a board game, and we chose to do so in the walkway bar.
Occasionally, someone is curious enough to inquire about our happenings, and we are always happy to meet new people and share about our interest in the board game hobby. In this case, a very nice gentleman stopped by, and after a few pleasantries, we discovered that he was in attendance for the bridge tournament. Next, I, with my measly 65 master points, inquired as to how many points he had. In short order, we learned that we were conversing with Nic L’Ecuyer, THE multi-year Canadian bridge champion. We had a very pleasant and extended conversation.
It is my position that persons like this exist in their own sphere and have their own gravity. In no time, several other world class players became curious as to why Mr. L’Ecuyer was having such an extended conversation with me, a bridge nobody, and before I know it, and without truly appreciating it, I am surrounded by bridge royalty. Then my daughter, through her liquid courage, pulls out a generic deck of cards and asks them to play one hand of bridge with me, and just like that, I played a hand of bridge with Fredrik Nystrom, Antonio Palma, and Omer Ekinci.
Sharon’s party at Nationals.
From the NABC Daily Bulletin: Sharon Austin
The Central Indiana Bridge Association (Unit 130) proudly recognizes Sharon Austin, Diamond
Life Master, club manager, teacher and friend. Sharon’s interest in cards began when junior high friends decided to learn to play poker. One mother, who was not so keen on girls playing poker,
introduced them to auction bridge as an alternative. Later, as an adult, Sharon became a sub in a neighbor’s bridge club, eventually leading her to both the Terre Haute Bridge Club and the Blackwood Bridge Club in Indianapolis. Her passion for the game led her forward. Almost three decades ago, Sharon became the assistant manager of whatwould become the Indianapolis Bridge
Center (IBC), and for the past decade, she has served as manager of the club’s operations. However, if you ask Sharon about her favorite accomplishment in bridge, she will beam when she tells you about her role as a teacher. Her six class series of beginner classes brings in approximately 100 attendees each year. She encourages a strong schedule of class offerings throughout the year, each taught by a certified ACBL teacher. She firmly believes that a vibrant teaching program is the basis of the strength and popularity of the IBC. Her members also applaud her efforts as she annually conducts a weeklong program in support of the ACBL’s
The Longest Day fundraiser. IBC has consistently been one of the top five clubs in the country in terms of funds raised since the program was begun by ACBL, a great tribute to Sharon and
her hard-working volunteers. CIBA says a huge “thank you” to Sharon Austin, a past CIBA president, for her contributions to bridge in Central Indiana.
Woody’s game at Nationals. Lots of IBC players there to honor him!
From the NABC Daily Bulletin: Woody Woodworth
In 2023, when the annual standings of winners in the masterpoint races were published, the Central Indiana Bridge Association (CIBA) was pleased to receive the news that local rookie player Woody Woodworth had won the unit’s Helen Shanbrom Ace of Clubs Award for the 100–200 point category, winning 270.69 club points in 2022. However, delving further into the lists, we also learned that Woody was not only the unit winner, but also claimed the high-point honor for District 11. When national honors were given, Woody’s name also topped that list. But wait! Not only did Woody claim the three Shanbrom awards for 2022, but he repeated the feat in the Mini-McKenney race, earning 315.69 points to once again claim the annual title for the 100–200 point category for Unit 130, as well as for District 11, and to complete the trifecta, for the ACBL. Though a rookie player in points, Woody is not new to the game, having started to play at age 7 with his brother. He played through grade school, high school and college, taking a 60-year hiatus before returning to the table in 2021. He is a recognizable face at the Indianapolis Bridge Center, and
works hard at his online game. He says he prefers to be face-to-face with his friends because he gets enjoyment from the social interaction. Wherever he is playing, be it faceto-face or online, CIBA commends Woody for his achievements and hopes to see him at the top of the winners list
for years to come. Congratulations, Woody.
Fun at Nationals in Chicago.
Sharon with her 0-200 players at the Audrey Grant lesson. From left to right: Scott Brimbaun, Sharon, Susan May, Brenda Horn, Dennis Smith, Cindy Smith & Tony Benner
Indy Group with famous bridge player Zia Mahmood!