ERIN BERRY CANADIAN ROOKIE-MASTER GAME -THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2009

23 clubs took part in our annual Erin Berry Rookie-Master Game, which is named in memory of Erin Berry. Erin was developing into one of Canada=s best Junior players when she tragically died in an automobile accident in January 1998. The EC Bridge Club in Vancouver had the largest turnout with 32 tables. The second largest game was at the Gatineau BC with 23.5 tables. Bridge Centre of Niagara was third with 23 tables and the Saskatoon DBC and Tuxedo Bridge Studio each had 20.5 tables. The CBF would like to express its appreciation to Michael

MISSISSAUGA-OAKVILLE BRIDGE CENTRE (20 PAIRS)

1. Elliott & Gary Westfall 59.26%

2. Mark Bulmer & Ronald Wilson 58.56%

BELLEVILLE DBC (26 PAIRS)

1. Bob Prystai & Harold Werkhoven 66.67%

2. Hugh Cooke & Will Davidson 65.91%

AURORA BRIDGE CLUB (16 PAIRS)

1. Jean Bongard & Margaret Farmer 62.80%

2. Marie Cattet & Jo Cummings 61.01%

TUXEDO BRIDGE STUDIO (41 PAIRS)

1. Marianne Johnson & Deloris Ankrom 69.64%

2. Peter Budzelaar & Robert Robinson 65.18%

ALGOMA-CAMBRIAN BC (16 PAIRS)

1. Mhora Hollingsworth & Loyis Glassford 63.39%

2. Frances Elgie & Betty Anne Bellerose 59.23%

RED DEER DBC (23 PAIRS)

1. Henry Vander Kolk & Josias Grobler 62.42%

2. Antonia Vander Kolk & Carolyn Guss 59.78%

In the Spirit of the Game

When the Canadian Rookie Master game was first started in 1982, the CBF was hoping to run a game that would introduce new people to the game of Duplicate Bridge. Clubs were urged to challenge members to bring total newcomers to the game where they could try duplicate bridge in a fun and friendly atmosphere. The Rookie had to have fewer than 5 mpts. Over time we have had to raise the Rookie limit to 50 mpts in order to keep the game alive. Many clubs still go out of their way to make this a very special evening. Kamloops DBC has a pot luck dinner before the game. We were pleased to welcome Eugene Chan and his EC Bridge Club in Vancouver to our game for the first time. Eugene set himself a lofty goal - he wanted to have 40 tables. The flu cut out three or four tables but he still led the way with 32 tables. The evening began with live entertainment provided by Bruce McIntyre prior to the game. Each participant received a welcome package which included a SAYC booklet, a SAYC scorecard, a notepad, a pencil, a small toothpaste (one of his ‘sponsors’ is a dentist), some chocolate, and four forms for nominating the “Best Rookie Bid”, the “Best Rookie Opening Lead”, the “Most Encouraging Master” and the “Pair Having The Most Fun”. Name tags helped make the Rookies feel comfortable. There was even an Elvis impersonator as post game entertainment. Well done Eugene and the staff of the Vancouver Bridge Centre where the EC Bridge Club runs its game.